Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Best
Nightlife
There's a nightlife option for everyone in İstanbul. You can while away the night
in a glamorous nightclub on the Bosphorus, listen to bands in a grungy Beyoğlu
venue or drink rakı and burst into song at a cheap and rowdy
meyhane
or
Türkü
evi
(Turkish music bar).
Clubs
The best nightclubs are in Beyoğlu and on the Golden Mile between Ortaköy and Kur-
uçeşme on the Bosphorus. Friday and Saturday are the busiest nights of the week and ac-
tion rarely kicks off before 1am. Note that many of the Beyoğlu clubs close over summer,
when clubbing action moves to coastal resorts south of the city or to the Golden Mile. Most
of the Bosphorus clubs close over winter.
Live-Music Venues
Beyoğlu is the heart of the city's live-music scene, and clubs such as Babylon regularly
program performances by live bands (
Click here
)
. But for a uniquely Turkish experience
you should consider visiting a
Türkü evi
, where live
halk meziği
(folk music) is performed.
Meyhanes
Top Tips
›
If you're keen to visit a Bosphorus club, consider booking to have dinner in its restaurant - otherwise you could
be looking for a lucky break or be up for a tip of at least 100 to get past the door staff.
›
When İstanbullus go out clubbing they dress to kill. You'll need to do the same to get past the door staff at the
Bosphorus clubs or into the rooftop bar-clubs in Beyoğlu.
