About 200 young Israelis have been holding "bunker parties" in Tel Aviv, dancing to techno in bomb shelters converted into makeshift nightclubs despite frequent missile alerts. Organisers say the events help people cope with wartime stress; police have largely tolerated the gatherings after inspecting venues. The city continues to show signs of normal life by day, even as reported strikes and casualties underscore the conflict's toll.
Dancing Under Sirens: Tel Aviv 'Bunker Parties' Bring Nightlife Underground Amid Missile Alerts
While stricly speaking the events seem to contravene restrictions imposed on mass gatherings, they have been tolerated by the authorities (OLYMPIA DE MAISMONT)(OLYMPIA DE MAISMONT/AFP/AFP)
Thumping techno reverberated through a basement in central Tel Aviv as roughly 200 young Israelis danced late into the night — even as missile alerts and sirens warned of strikes above ground.
Bunker Parties as a Form of Relief
Small groups of revellers have been staging nights out in bomb shelters converted into makeshift nightclubs. Organiser Ruben Chekroun described the gatherings as a way to cope:
"Dancing in difficult times is a relief. It gives us strength,"
Another organiser, Ilan Eber, said the idea grew out of friends stranded in the city for Purim after flights were disrupted. "Stuck because of the war, unable to go out at night, we ended up spending our days on the beach and came up with this great idea for partying safely," he said.
Where And How The Events Run
Organisers held several "bunker parties" in spaces such as underground parking areas and, for the first time, the basement of a nightclub near Dizengoff Street that had been closed. Attendance climbed after modest promotion on social media.
While such gatherings could run afoul of restrictions on mass events, organisers say police checked the venues and largely tolerated the nights. "The police came each time. Now they understand that we're not doing anything wrong," Eber said.
Life In A City On Edge
Despite repeated alerts, daytime life in Tel Aviv retains a measured, resilient feel. Shirtless joggers ran along the Mediterranean promenade, yoga sessions continued on the sand, and cafes such as "Chacho's" remained busy. A waitress at the cafe said:
"It's been business as usual for us, we stay calm. As soon as the alerts stop, customers immediately return."
Many residents said they now expect multiple alerts daily. When sirens sounded during the cafe visit, patrons calmly moved to a nearby school basement used as a shelter — complete with a table football, a giant chess set and books for children — and returned to their activities after an all-clear was issued.
Context And Reported Casualties
The wider regional conflict escalated in late February, with reports of strikes and retaliatory attacks across the region. Media accounts and officials have provided differing timelines and attributions for those exchanges.
Tel Aviv has been repeatedly targeted in recent strikes. On one early day of the fighting a woman in her forties was reported killed and about 20 people wounded in the city's most severe incident so far. Later, reports said two construction workers struck by shrapnel near Ben Gurion Airport were killed, and authorities put the reported national death toll since the conflict began at 12.
What Organisers Say:
"It's just like being in a shelter. If there's a siren, we're protected from the bombing," said a clubber who gave only the nickname "Goldilocks." "It's the place to be!"
This account draws on eyewitness comments and on-the-ground reporting. Where possible, casualty and conflict details are described as reported by officials and news agencies.
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