Nightlife in İstanbul

Istanbul is world famous for non-stop nightlife. Don't think that because 95% of Turks are Muslim that nobody's drinking, on the contrary, bars outnumber mosques in Istanbul. Turkey is a laic country and Turkish people enjoy eating, drinking and dancing. Animated nightlife of Istanbul offers thousands of options such as all kinds of bars, night clubs, discos, restaurants, live music venues, dance clubs, tea gardens, hookah pipe cafes and a variety of pubs all over the city. It only remains for you to choose among these many alternatives. Ortakoy, Taksim-Beyoglu, Levent, Nisantasi, Etiler on the European side and Kadikoy, Bagdat Street on the Asian side are the most popular areas for night life. Definitely you will be amazed at how fast time flies. Normally, the drinking age is 18 years but identity cards are rarely checked.

Some places where you could visit when you are at Istanbul are: In Beyoglu, Hayal Kahvesi is a bohemian side-street bar with wooden furniture, The Hall is famous and its dance floor is usually full at midnight, Ghetto is a self-proclaimed music lounge, Indigo for serious clubbers and fans of electronic, house, techno, and pop, Kaktus with many tables outside, Dogzstar Teras on the third floor, terrace bar 360 on the top floor overlooking the city are very nice and behind of Istiklal Street, Nevizade Sokak, Cicek Pasaj are boisterous streets packed with bars. Kemanci Rock-Bar is a favorite place with students and Kehri Bar resonates with the latest in Turkish music, live pop and jazz bands in Taksim. Near Galatasaray Square there is wine bar Pano Saraphanesi which is Greek-style tavern. Over in the village of Ortakoy, up the Bosporus, there are the waterfronts such as House Cafe, Anjelique. In Bebek, bebek bar has views over the Bosporus. Reina which has an outdoor complex sits on the edge of the Bosporus just near the first suspension bridge and Sortie which is a brand new club and expected to be one of the hottest clubs of Istanbul and both are the most famous summer clubs in Ortakoy. Galata Bridge has several bars such as Dersaadet with live local music some nights and Galata Tower serves dinner followed by a Turkish show and dancing. If you like techno and international sounds Babylon is the best. In Kadikoy, Karga bar is famous with local house and techno DJs. Re-Fresh the Venue and Parkorman in Maslak has huge open-air venues. Les Ambassadeurs plays rock and jazz and usually has live music in Macka.In Taksim Roxy is very popular club with Turkish and international pop and rock groups. If you prefer classic, modern, fusion and ethnic jazz Nardis Jazz Club in Galata or Istanbul Jazz Centre for international jazz artists’ performances in Ortakoy are nice choices. Around Beyoglu you can enjoy from traditional music in taverns in Turkish meyhane which advertising fasil. If you are in Istanbul and in love, sad or with your friends you should see al taverns (meyhane).