Tel Aviv Wine Bar Flor Reopens After Missile Strike and Thefts
Tel Aviv natural wine bar Flor rebounds from missile damage and burglaries, reopening with a renovated space, morning coffee service, and a creative new evening menu.
Shortly before October 7, the natural wine bar Flor opened in Tel Aviv, offering a food menu that goes far beyond simple bar snacks. On February 28, an Iranian missile striking Yehuda Halevi Street in Tel Aviv caused a shockwave that devastated the venue. The surrounding area turned into a ghost town as residents were evacuated to hotels, creating fertile ground for thieves. According to co-manager Ori Kurtz, the bar suffered three burglaries, losing wine, kitchen equipment, and an oven, amounting to 300,000 shekels in damages.
Overcoming Adversity Through Community Support
Ref refusing to sit idly by, Kurtz and his team reopened the venue by late April. Since the state expects businesses to cover renovation costs upfront before issuing reimbursements, the team launched a crowdfunding campaign. They sold merchandise, wine, and future dining vouchers, successfully covering the losses alongside the final state payouts. Today, a new chapter begins for Kurtz, Ben Zomerfeld, sommelier Ziv Yanko, and new chef Ori Gabay.
We used the period forced upon us to improve and become better. Instead of letting it drag us down, we upgraded the venue, grew our team, and launched daytime coffee service as our boldest step yet.
A Fresh Culinary Vision and Daytime Expansion
The bar has expanded its offerings to include morning service with pastries from Tofin, fresh bagels, and diverse breakfast options, alongside a clever marketing stunt: ten-shekel espresso martinis served for ten minutes starting at 1:00 PM. Meanwhile, the evening menu curated by Chef Ori Gabay features rotating weekly and daily dishes ranging from bouillabaisse to seafood pastas and unique steaks. Operating with a daily break between 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM, Flor reopens for its renowned evening wine service, featuring over 100 carefully curated labels and a generous happy hour.
