34 Best Bars in Turkey

The stylish yet comfortable lounge/bar in the W Hotel has plush divans, low tables, and signature cocktails, drawing a sophisticated, trendy crowd. There is always a DJ on the decks, and the lounge frequently hosts after-parties for fashion-, music-, and design-related events.

Decorated with walls full of books and colorful souvenirs of the owners' global wanderings, this hip "travelers' café and bar" in Alsancak—now part of a popular Turkish chain—has made a name for itself with a keenly priced international menu (from Turkish breakfast to pad Thai to steak with oyster sauce) and a merry round of theme nights, quiz nights, and happy hours, with a wide range of cocktails on offer.

Part of a small Turkish chain of café-bars (the first one was in Eskişehir), Varuna Gezgin has a cozy multistory interior lined floor-to-ceiling with books and travel-related ephemera. It also has a big back garden, making it a suitable option for all seasons. There’s an international menu and a good list of local beers.