The Fifth of May - A Bar in Mahane Yehuda Market

One of the oldest and most colourful nightlife institutions of Mahane Yehuda Market, The Fifth of May — Hebrew for "the fifth of May" — is a cafe by day that turns into a lively food-bar in the evening. The name honours a date that marks the cooperative community where the owners — Gilad Alon and chef Amir Bruner — live, in Castel just outside Jerusalem. Since opening on Etz Hayim Street it has become one of the best-known names in the market's nightlife scene, and its owners once opened a sister branch in Tel Aviv called "6 BeMai" (the sixth of May).

What makes The Fifth of May special

• A rare combination of daytime cafe and night-time bar under one roof.
• A vegan-friendly menu, with a wide range of vegan and vegetarian dishes.
• An authentic market atmosphere, small sharing plates alongside wine, beer and cocktails.
• One of the oldest and most popular bars in the market, with high energy and a party feel on busy evenings.

The menu and the style of the place

By day The Fifth of May works as a relaxed cafe — coffee, sandwiches and fresh salads. Towards evening it changes character and becomes a food-bar: small plates from a Mediterranean-vegetarian kitchen, alongside a range of drinks. A large part of the menu is vegan, so anyone who doesn't eat animal products will feel at home. Worth remembering that bar menus in the market change from time to time, so it pays to check in advance what is currently being served.

Getting there

The Fifth of May is at 56 Etz Hayim Street, inside Mahane Yehuda Market in Jerusalem — a short walk from the market's main entrances, next to the other bars and restaurants that have made this street one of the hottest nightlife spots in the city.

So what's next?

The Fifth of May is part of the mix that makes up Mahane Yehuda Market — long-standing institutions alongside a new generation of businesses. Opening hours, menus and events at the market's bars change often with the season and the holidays, so it is worth checking before you head out. To see what is happening in the market right now and what is coming up, take a look at the live updates at livejlm.com.

And if you'd like to get to know the alleys before you arrive — take a virtual tour and watch our first-person walking tours on the livejlm YouTube channel.

Frequently asked questions

Where is The Fifth of May in Mahane Yehuda Market?

The Fifth of May is at 56 Etz Hayim Street, inside Mahane Yehuda Market in Jerusalem.

Does The Fifth of May have vegan and vegetarian options?

Yes. The menu is vegan-friendly, with a large share of the dishes marked vegan, alongside further vegetarian options.

What is the difference between The Fifth of May by day and by night?

By day it works as a relatively quiet cafe with coffee and sandwiches; in the evening it becomes a buzzing food-bar with small plates, alcohol and a party atmosphere — one of the oldest and most popular bars in the market's nightlife scene.

Is there a connection between The Fifth of May and "6 BeMai" in Tel Aviv?

The owners of The Fifth of May once also opened a sister branch in Tel Aviv called "6 BeMai". This is historical information, and it is worth checking in advance whether the Tel Aviv branch is still operating, since details like this can change over time.