Here’s another one of those stories that illustrates how difficult its going to be to change the culture of smoking in bars and clubs in Tel-Aviv.

Last night I went out with some friends to the popular Gymnasium bar on Ben Yehuda street to unwind after a difficult week. I’ve heard talk about this place from a lot of people lately and it seems to be the ‘in’ place. A friend and I arrived at the door, after 2 full swings around 4 blocks in the Frishman, Gordon, Bograshov area for parking and finally parking in the Hayarkon Street lots a ten minute walk away.

There were about 20 young men waiting to be let in by the selection committee at the entrance. Because I was with a female friend the selector let us bypass those waiting in line and let us straight in. As the door swung open I was greeted simultaneously by a large ‘Smoking is Prohibited’ sing plastered on the wall, and strong whiff of cigarette smoke coming from the bar just down the stairs. Continue reading →