Nightlife in Istanbul
Istanbul nightlife centres on Beyoglu, and in Cihangir veteran nighclub Roxy Bar and rooftop bar 5. Kat remain popular. For homely bars, try KV Café off Istiklal Caddesim, Aslanim on noisy Nevizade Sokak and old Greek winehouse Pano Saraphanesi. Head to Ortakoy for stylish nightclubs such as the riverfront Anjelique and to Taksim for Ataturk Kultur Merkezi, renowned for its high-brow musical performances. Most clubs stay open till dawn, and bars till after midnight.
Bars
Expand all1. Aslanim - Party-time bar
Show moreNevizade Sokak, a Beyoglu backstreet, is filled with restaurants and bars, and busy every night. In the hub is Aslanim, with its three floors and tiny ground-floor terrace, perfect for sipping a cold beer while watching the crowds go by.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Address
22, Nevizade Sokak, Beyoglu, Istanbul
Telephone
+90 (0) 212 249 3897
2. Kaktus - Parisian-style bar
Show moreWith a Parisian feel, cosy Kaktus off Istiklal Caddesi in Beyoglu has tiny wooden tables with huge photographs on the walls. It seems like everyone is smoking while in earnest conversation, drinking small glasses of wine or bottled beer, or strong coffee.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Address
4, Imam Adnan Sokak, off Istiklal Caddesi, Beyoglu, Istanbul
Telephone
+90 (0) 212 249 5979
Transport
Bus to Taksim Square
3. Yesil Ev - Relaxing hotel garden
Show moreWith few other choices for a quiet drink in Sultanahmet, the peaceful tree-filled garden of Yesil Ev is lovely for pre-dinner drinks. This restored wooden-fronted Ottoman house is a popular hotel, the garden open for non-guests all day until 11pm.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Address
5, Kabasakal Caddesi, Sultanahmet, Istanbul 34400
Telephone
+90 (0) 212 517 6785
4. 5. Kat - Favourite old hangout
Show more
Besinci Kat (5. Kat or 5th Floor) in Cihangir is one of Istanbul's original rooftop bars, attracting stylish locals, arty and gay-friendly regulars. Inside there's deep red walls, purple fabric ceiling, upholstered chairs, decent food and soft music. Enjoy the huge Bosphorus-facing terrace.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Address
5/F, 7 Soganci Sokak, Cihangir, Istanbul
Telephone
+90 (0) 212 293 3774
5. KV Cafe - Secluded courtyard
Show moreLocated inside a 19th-century courtyard in Beyoglu, KV Cafe is popular with stylish couples, perfect for a late drink with a jazz pianist every Friday and Saturday night. Its high-ceilinged interior has chandeliers, brick walls and pink neon lighting, with tiny romantic balconies.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Address
10, Tünel Geçidi, Beyoglu, Istanbul 80050
Telephone
+90 (0) 212 251 4338
6. Pano Saraphanesi - Traditional wine house
Show moreLocated in an old Greek winehouse, Beyoglu's Pano Saraphanesi remains a lively favourite with locals. Stand at high wooden tables for a decent bottle of house wine, and soak it up with dips and salads. There's formal Turkish dining upstairs.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Address
4, Kalyoncu Kulluk Caddesi, Galatasaray, Istanbul
Telephone
+90 (0) 212 292 66 64
7. Dersaadet - Bridge-top beers
Show moreDersaadet on Galata Bridge has backgammon sets, nargiles (water pipes) live music, Turkish football on TV and simple food. It's always busy with comfortable seating both inside and out, so settle down with a cold Efes beer and watch the boats go by.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Address
Yeni Galata Koprusu, Karakoy, Istanbul
Telephone
+90 (0) 212 292 7001
Clubs
Expand all8. Roxy - Dance till dawn
Show more
For serious clubbing fans, Roxy in Cihangir has been a popular nightspot for years, with DJ nights and the occasional live act. Music favoured is nu-jazz, rock and latin, with weekend disco-dance nights, enjoyed by an easy-going, unfussy crowd.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Address
7, Aslanyatagi Sokak, Siraselviler Çaddesi, Beyoglu, Istanbul 34433
Telephone
+90 (0) 212 249 1283
9. Balans - Low-key nightspot
Show moreThe front of Balans in Beyoglu is a casual bar with food and TVs showing Turkish football; the back is where the people go to dance. DJs play funk, occasional 1980s retro nights and acid jazz, plus there are live bands from time to time.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Address
22, Balo Sokak, off Istiklal Caddesi, Beyoglu, Istanbul
Telephone
+90 (0) 212 251 77 62
10. Dogzstar Teras - Cosy rooftop club
Show moreA Beyoglu club with live music and DJs, Dogzstar Teras' tiny space attracts punk and rock fans. A friendly mixed crowd pack in at weekends, with a welcome third-floor glass roof. The house wine is surprisingly good, although most drink beer.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Address
3, Kartal Sokak, Galatasaray, Beyoglu, Istanbul
Telephone
+90 (0) 212 244 9147
11. Anjelique - Sophisticated waterfront club
Show more
Anjelique is a stylish club on a rooftop terrace overlooking the mighty Bosphorus in Ortakoy. Filled with Istanbul's wealthy young elite, and located above Italian restaurant Da Mario, DJs play decent Turkish and European dance music.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Address
5, Salhane Sokak, Muallim Naci Caddesi, Ortakoy, Istanbul
Telephone
+90 (0) 212 327 2844
Entertainment
Expand all12. Babylon - Eclectic live music
Show more
Istanbul's funkiest venue, and in an increasingly lively area of Beyoglu, Babylon has regular bands and DJs from Turkey and beyond. It might be Turkish folk with techno fusion, a Balkan percussion virtuoso or top international DJs to entertain music fans.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Address
3, Şehbender Sokak, Asmalimescit, Beyoglu, Istanbul 34430
Telephone
+90 (0) 212 292 7368
13. Whirling Dervishes at Sirkeci Station - Spinning Sufis
Show more
Dressed head-to-toe in white, with tall red hats, the trance-like performance of the Mevlevi order of Sufis, or Whirling Dervishes, is increasingly well-known. Performances almost nightly are held at Sirkeci Station, an unlikely venue for a mystic performance.Show this on mapE-mail this item
14. Ataturk Kultur Merkezi (AKM) - Cultural venue
Show moreA huge 1970s monolith facing Taksim Square, Ataturk Kultur Merkezi (AKM) is a multi-purpose cultural centre, programming classical concerts, opera, ballet and music festivals. The acoustics are good, and this is Istanbul's largest concert hall. Check the billboards outside for events.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Address
Taksim Meydani, Istanbul
Telephone
+90 (0) 212 251 5600
Transport
Bus to Taksim Square
15. Nardis Jazz Club - Cool jazz sounds
Show more Close to Galata Tower, Nardis Jazz Club has built up a keen local following for its nightly live jazz, mainly from Turkish jazz musicians. Despite being a popular club, especially at weekends, there's still a laid-back atmosphere here. Booking ahead is recommended.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Address
14, Galata Kulesi Sokak, Istanbul
Telephone
+90 (0) 212 244 6327
