Open for almost a decade now (eight years, to be precise), the Video is the spiritual successor to the first official gay bar to have opened in the city in 2011, the Mikveh, which has by now been closed for about five years. Working in “the district” is something a lot of queer people in Jerusalem have done or will do in their lifetime it’s an experience that makes you feel you belong somewhere. But the name mostly reflects the queer-friendly nature of the whole area. The block where the Video is located is dubbed by the workers of the area “the district.” That’s partially because most of the businesses on the block (a dance club, two other bars, a restaurant, a French fry stand and a queer, feminist, vegetarian/vegan café) have the same group of owners. Chances are, though, you will see nothing of gay significance as you approach the place. I know, because as a bartender there, I used to answer them. Children from the church often spend the early hours of the night asking the Video’s bartender questions. Occasionally, you might find a pride flag hanging at the top of the stairs, leading not only to the bar but also to a small Eritrean church. Located in a little niche a floor up from street level, the only official gay bar in the city hides from the undiscerning eye. If you’re looking to find the Video Pub in Jerusalem, you might have to look a little harder than usual.
(Michael Elias) The Video Pub is a valuable queer space in the holy city, and it may not survive COVID-19.
A bartender mixes drinks in the Video Pub.