Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
On weekends, locals like to get together with friends and family at
meyhanes
. Some
mey-
hanes
focus solely on food, but others host small groups of musicians who move from
table to table playing
fasıl
music, emotion-charged Turkish folk or pop songs played on
traditional instruments. These are favourites with large groups, who pay a set charge of
between 70 and 100 to enjoy a generous set menu with either limited or unlimited
choices from the bar.
Worth a Trip
Going into its second decade,
Love Dance Point
(
www.lovedp.net
;
Cumhuriyet Caddesi 349, Harbiye;
11.30pm-5am Fri & Sat) is easily the most Europhile of the local gay venues, hosting musical icons and interna-
tional circuit parties. Hard-cutting techno is thrown in with gay anthems and Turkish pop, attracting a varied cli-
entele. You'll find it in the suburb of Harbiye, a short walk from Taksim Sq.
Best Clubs
Babylon
The best live-music venue in town. (
Click here
)
MiniMüzikHol
Hub of the avant-garde arts scene. (
Click here
)
Dogzstar
Bands, DJs and an outdoor terrace. (
Click here
)
Reina
Queen of the Golden Mile superclubs. (
Click here
)
Sortie
Bosphorus views and celebrity clientele. (
Click here
)
Best Gay & Lesbian Venues
Love Dance Point
Inclusive crowd and eclectic playlist.
Tek Yön
Cruisers and cuddly bears take to the huge dance floor. (
Click here
)
Bigudi Cafe
The city's most accessible lesbian venue. (
Click here
)
Club 17
An exhilarating crush on the weekend; more bar than club. (
Click here
)