Ladies and gentleman, it took me (33 year-old David Rozenthal) a while, but I finally found the fountain of youth. Many years after I was last in a bar, I found the thrill again. People, I'm speechless (might be the booze) – but I will tell you banks is probably the best bar in Tel Aviv. I know that is quite a statement, but hey – that's what I feel. And I haven't felt this good in a long time.
What made it so good? The rivers of alcohol (good thing I listened to the Shamu who joined me and came in a cab)? Or maybe the hip 80's music in the background (I always thought Wham! was for sissies, and it is, but it sounded different after a few cocktails)? Or maybe it's the ordinary but still cool vibe in a place that combines a neighborhood pub with hidden treasures inside? You know what? It was all of the above. And I'll add the ground floor beautiful lounge for events.
Seriously, the banks (so named after the ruins of an old bank on Lincoln St.) provides all the possible thrills you could want without any of the fuss the other south Tel Aviv bars have. Yegermaister shots were pouring, beers were eagerly gulped down and the sounds of Boney M, Nick Kershaw and other Disco bands made everyone ecstatic.
We started off with a Leffe Brown (26 nis) and then we started partying. With the fillet Carpaccio (34 nis), Roast beef sandwich (28 nis), garlic house bread (11 nis) and the excellent pepperoni, mushroom and onion pizza (32 nis) we also had a Johnnie Walker Black (48 nis) and a Dizzy cocktail (vodka sour, lemon, campari and sprite – 36 nis). Oh, and a few Yegers were in the middle of all that. Meanwhile Cindi Lauper sang Girls Just Wanna Have Fun and I had a flashback to fifth grade.
My elementary flashbacks ended at the door. Tuesday at banks – a lot of 80's music, alcohol, good food, happiness and fun. I don't know what music other places play these days, but I do know everyone had fun there. I said thanks knowing I'll be back at the banks.
*The writer dined at the restaurant.