Balkon
Beyoglu
A sixth-floor bar and lounge, Balkon has excellent views of the Golden Horn and a laid-back outdoor deck atop the By Murat Crown Hotel. Drink prices are reasonable compared to those at most other rooftop bars in the area.
5 Best Nightlife in Istanbul, Turkey
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Istanbul's nightlife still revolves, in many ways, around its meyhanes, the tavern-like restaurants where long nights are spent nibbling on meze and sipping the anise-flavored spirit rak?. The atmosphere at these places—mostly found in the lively Beyo?lu area—is jovial, friendly, and worth experiencing. But there are lots of other options, too, again mostly in Beyo?lu, which has everything from grungy American-style dive bars to sophisticated lounges, performance spaces that host world-class live acts, and dance clubs. In recent years, the trend in the neighborhood has been literally upward, with the opening of rooftop bars that offer stunning views and fresh breezes.
As Istanbul's reputation as a hip city continues to grow, the quality of the live acts that come to town has risen, too. Established and up-and-coming performers now frequently include Istanbul on their European tours, and the city has become a good place to catch a show for far less than what you might pay in Paris, London, or New York. Note that many live-performance venues close for part or all of the summer, when school is out and the city’s elite departs for vacation.
To experience Istanbul’s most high-end nightlife, head to the neighborhoods along the Bosphorus, where chic (and pricey) nightclubs play host to Istanbul's rich and famous and those who want to rub shoulders with them. The vibrant dance club scene here, as well as at a few places in Beyo?lu, is not for the faint of heart. Things typically get rolling at around midnight and go until 4 or 5 in the morning. The city’s most upscale clubs tend to be expensive—admission fees can be steep on summer weekends—and there are no guarantees you'll get past the doorman, whose job it is to make sure only Istanbul's best dressed get in.
Sultanahmet isn’t known for its nightlife, but in summer, the strip of tourist-oriented restaurants and dive bars at the end of Akb?y?k Sokak close to the Aya Sofya can be quite lively, with a young crowd that fills the sidewalk tables.
Bebek Bar
Bosphorus
With an interior decor that brings to mind an old-school private club and a breezy terrace overlooking the Bosphorus, Bebek Bar attracts a dressed-up crowd. There is a particularly wide selection of liqueurs, Scotch, and other spirits, as well as classic cocktails, making it a perfect spot for a before- or after-dinner drink.
Karga Bar
Asian Side
The longest-established and most popular venue on Kadıköy's so-called Barlar Sokağı (Bars Street), Karga takes up several levels of an old wooden house, whose many small rooms and intimate niches make it the perfect laid-back hangout. There is often live music on weekends in winter and occasional art events. There's no sign out front, so look for a building with a green facade and an emblem of a crow over the doorway (karga means "crow" in Turkish).
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Lâl
Asian Side
The best thing about this low-key café–bar on Kadıköy's main nightlife street is the large courtyard in the back, where patrons gather around tables and an old, distinctive tree. In cooler months, the rustic interior is a cozy place to chat.
Şahika
Beyoglu
On a narrow street lined with basic beer joints and meyhanes serving mostly identical food menus, Şahika offers something more unusual. The lively, multistory venue has a different concept and ambience on each level, ranging from a pub atmosphere on the street level to casual lounge areas on the middle floors to a clublike vibe on the terrace, which also has excellent views of the Golden Horn.
