Istanbul Nightlife and Entertainment
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| Istanbul offers nightlife and
entertainment in any direction you want to. The choice
is incredible and there are several centers of nightlife
all over the city: Ortakoy at the Bosphorus (European
side), the Istiklal Street from Taksim to Tünel where
you will find many students(European side), Aksaray with
the more Turkish style nightlife and red-light district
(European side) and Kadikoy with its various choice of
bars and little restaurants (Asian side).
But be very careful about going into bars that do not
display a price list outside their premises - in fact,
don't. You cannot assume the price of anything so if
the bar is not displaying a price list, it's usually
because they don't want you to know they're charging $50
for one beer. Have a few of those, and imagine the bill.
The staff will become very agressive with you if you've
not enough money to pay, or if you protest about the
prices. They will search you for money or credit cards. |
Traditional
music & dance evening - Istanbul
 After
a scenic evening drive through this
majestic city of illuminated palaces,
mosques and bridges by night, savor the
flavors of authentic Turkish cuisine
with a special evening dinner in an
oriental atmosphere, accompanied by live
musical and dance performances from a
variety of regional Folk Dancers, Belly
Dancers and Turkish Musicians in
traditional costume...
Turkish
Night Show Experience:
Pick up from the hotel or cruise ship
port. Take a scenic night drive to the
restaurant, where you will enjoy an
evening with a delicious full course
meal of fine Turkish cuisine featuring
class acts of music and dance in
traditional surroundings. This feast for
the senses is presented in an oriental
atmosphere, where you can discover the
delights of Turkish musical instruments,
a typical folk orchestra and experience
a dance extravaganza focusing on the
traditions of Turkish and Anatolian
folklore including belly dancing. Drop
off to hotel or cruise ship port.
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360 Istanbul
With views as good as this, it's
no wonder that Istanbul is sprouting restaurant and bar
venues in what are traditionally apartment or office
buildings. 360 Istanbul takes advantage of the belfry of
St. Antoine and panoramic views of the Golden Horn; on a
cool summer's eve, there's really no better place to be.
The decor is an unexpectedly pleasing amalgam of brick,
steel, glass, and velvet; tables, alfresco banquettes,
and a lounge area ensure that everybody gets something
he or she wants. The menu is Thai and Turkish, with
appetizers and finger foods standing out. Go early for
the best outdoor seating, or arrive late and mill about
the wraparound terrace. Reservations are suggested for
dinner.
Address:
Istiklal
Caddesi 32/311
Location: Misir Apartment Building, Beyoglu
Phone: 0212/251-1042
Café
Gramofon
 Café
Gramofon is a civilized music venue, where on Monday
students from the conservatory take the stage, and
Tuesday through Saturday the cafe is filled with the
sounds of jazz, swing, and bebop. It can get pretty loud,
and the crowd is sometimes mixed (read: gay/lesbian),
but everyone is well behaved. During the Jazz Festival,
the cover is anywhere from $12 to $15, and half-price
for students with a valid ID card; otherwise, it's free.
Open Tuesday through Saturday 9pm to 2am.
Address: TunelTaksim
Phone:0212/293-0786
Ciragan Bar & Q Club
Hibernating in the cellar of the
most exclusive hotel in the city in the Çiragan Palace,
Q draws the cream of Istanbul society, and there's never
an empty seat in the house. The venue moves on to the
seaside pier during the summer, as the sound of live
jazz drifts over the Bosphorus until 2am (later in
summer). The evening won't be cheap but it will
definitely be memorable. Open daily 6pm to 2am.
Address: Ciragan Palace / Besiktas
Phobne: 0212/326-4646
The North Shields Pub
 The
Besiktas outlet of this popular pub is a favorite after-hours
destination for off-duty local chefs. Thanks to the rare
Scotch whiskey and English ales, there's also a huge
clientele of ex-pat regulars, in for the homey
atmosphere -- the pub is in a late-19th-century house --
and the hearty beef and ale stew. A second more
centralized location is at Istiklal Cad. 24-26 (in the
Fitas Sinemasi, up the steps at the entrance to the
movie complex; tel. 0212/292-9698). Open daily
11am to 2am.
Address:
Akaretler Siraevleri,
Besiktas
Phone: 0212/259-1806
RIDDIM
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 An internat, ional city such as Istanbul
needs a comfortable place to remind us that there's more
music out there than techno and rock; and the new Riddim
Cafe & Bar is just what we've been missing. Riddim is the
cool place for reggae and world beat music, and some of the
best mixes of Caribbean, African, and Latin can be heard
here. Resident rasta Osman, one of the coolest people in
town, has brought his unique sound to the heart of Beyoglu
and nothing will ever be the same again! Previously the
pulse of Pupa, Osman has created a tropical island flavor
with a bamboo hut for a DJ booth, local artwork on the walls,
and the obligatory but venerated Bob Marley poster adorning
the entrance. The cool vibe is enhanced by a friendly, laid-back
English-speaking bar staff, including Elif and Murat (formerly
of an Irish bar near Beyoglu - ask him to show you some of
his bar tricks). Open every night until 2:00am, this is the
place for diehards and dabblers to be jammin', as there's
plenty of room to chill or dance as the spirit moves you.
Beer is only 750,000TL and Jamaican cuisine is on the way.
For those of us in the know, this is the place to go!
Riddim Cafe & Bar
Buyukparmakkapi Sok. No:8/1 (across from Pandora book
store)
Taksim - Beyoglu
Tel: 0212 249-8333 |
Babylon in Tünel has got to be the most rocking place to go for
entertainment these days. Tucked away in a tiny side street behind
Istiklal, its reputation as an excellent venue to see an alternative
international or home-grown act is increasing daily. Bands such as Baba
Zula, Istanbul Blues Kamp, anyasi, Badmarsh and Shri, Trevor Watts, Erik
Truffaz and Cheikh Lô have graced the stage at Babylon to a full house
almost every time. Each month a rich programme of entertainment is
designed to reach out and touch everyone who loves alternative music,
the arts, and performance with guts. Last seasons one-man play "The
Circumcision" was also a huge success and it’s the intention of Babylons’
keepers to encourage more theatre and alternative art performances
inside the huge old warehouse because they feel that it’s more than just
a music venue. Named after the once enormous city of Mesapotamia,
Babylon was once the home of Dominique Dandoria. The four storey
building burned down in 1912 and was abandoned until 1942 when it was
turned into a carpenter shop. Pozitif took it over in 1998 and
transformed the dark interior into an independent concert hall, a jazz
club, and a performance / cinema / theatre / exhibition venue. It’s an
ambitious project by anyone’s standards, but so far so good... If you
haven’t been there yet, don’t miss it now.
Taksim - Beyoglu - Tunel
| Until now, the only places in
Istanbul you’ve been able to smoke a nargile pipe have
been in hidden little alcoves and gardens scattered
around the Beyazit area, and a couple of places down by
Dolmabahçe Palace. Now, just opened up in Beyoglu is a
little place called "Ortakahve" which is a
different take on the age-old concept of the traditional
kiraathanesi - coffee shop.
Traditionally, amply-moustached men gathered together
in dark, smoky rooms to exchange local gossip and the
political opinions of the day while smoking apple
tobacco from nargile - water pipes - and playing
backgammon or chess. Ortakahve is a very different place
with lots of light and open space and there are even
plans for a shady garden out the back with traditional
divan lounges that will seat 50 comfortably. It’s a
combination of the traditional old-style divan and
nargile idea with a very modern, young twist. The
brightly coloured walls, minimalist decor with wooden
tables and chairs for over 100, and light radio music
makes it an interesting place to go for a game of
backgammon, chess, Scrabble, dominoes or go. A small
library will complete the project in the near future.
Sayhan Dönmezer has done most of the renovations with
his own hands, including the fireplace, and invites
everyone to come and experience a different aspect of
the traditional Turkish lifestyle.
You can sit in one of the cool spacious rooms alone
with a book, write a letter or postcard or play a game
with friends as you sip steaming Nescafe - 2,50 YTL, strong, aromatic Turkish coffee -
3,50 YTL, bitter, black Turkish tea - 1,00 YTL, herbal tea - 2,00
YTL, or fruit juices; alcohol isn’t served at all. Games cost
between 0,50-0,75 YTL and you can learn the rules
to some of the traditional Turkish games from the
friendly staff. When it gets too hot to sit outside, the
large rooms of Ortakahve are cool and breezy. It’s the
only place in Beyoglu where you can smoke nargile, and
it’s well worth checking out before it gets so popular
you’ll have to queue for a seat.
ORTAKAHVE - BÜYÜKPARMAKKAPI/TEL SOKAK No:4 - BEYOGLU
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 In the center of Istanbul, between the history and contemporary
music. Jazz Cafe established in 1982 by Mete Gurman and Cengiz Sanli,
is one of the first jazz clubs to have settled Turkey. It is at the
request of many musicians, customers of the restaurant, that they
decide to transform the European basement bar into a Jazz Club. All
the stars of jazz play at the Jazz Cafe: Bulent Ortacgil, Erkan Ogur,
Maffy Fallay, Onder Focan....
Address:i stiklal Avenue. Hasnun Galip Street. No:20 Beyoglu
Phone: 90 0 212 245 05 16
www.jazzcafeistanbul.com
 If you can imagine dancing to
blaring techno music while sipping exotic cocktails
and nibbling on warm, salty, freshly made popcorn,
in an underground water cistern dating back to late
Roman times (500 AD), originally built by the Roman
Emperor Theodosis, then you'll feel right at home in
Club Academia.
As you descend into the cavernous laser-lit space,
surrounded by ancient columns and three-foot thick
red brick walls, a labyrinth of secret paths winds
through the pillars and around the back wall until
you suddenly find yourself right in the middle of
the antediluvian dance floor. The historical remains
have been restored as much as possible without
artificially reproducing them and the entire effect
is one of mystic and intrigue. Imagine dancing with
wild abandon to the loud thumping beats of
electronic music in an ordinary museum! It's an
unusual club to say the least. Cihan, our
conscientious host and bar manager, gave the IB team
a guided tour through the splendiferous ruins,
pointing out the Eros Bar in the upstairs corner,
the Zeus Bar by the main entrance and the Aphrodite
Bar downstairs. Just around the corner from here is
the games room, where big boys can find a few big
toys to amuse themselves should they tire of
strutting their stuff and flirting with pretty women.
The entry fee is $10, which includes one drink
and a beer costs 5,00 YTL. A large group could
commandeer the entire club for a night and have a
ball romping amongst the ruins. The only real
downside to Academia is the location, down a rather
dark and dingy street in the center of Beyazit - an
area devoid of life at night. It's a shame Theodosis
didn't build his water cisterns in Taksim. There is
an up side though, patrons can call Cihan and order
the free service bus to carry them both to and from
the club. Just tell him your phone number and
address and how many people you are, and the service
bus will come and meet you. Then, after a night of
drinking, dancing and whooping it up with Theodosis'
granite columns, you will be returned to the meeting
point. Now THAT is what we call service!
Antik Hotel - Club Academia
Sekbanbasi Sokak No:10, Beyazit
Tel: 0212 638 5858
Fax: 0212 638 5865
Email: info@antikhotel.com
Website: www.antikhotel.com |
Exen Dance Club
Ok, so it's another Saturday night in Taksim, you want
to find a different place and you don't want to be
sophisticated - you want to ‘rock 'till you drop.’ Check
out Exen, the dynamite new club that recently opened on
Siraselviler. It's jam packed on weekends with babes,
hunks, and trying-their- hardests, and with good reason.
Exen has one of the finest sound systems around, and
some of the best live acts pump it out Wed. thru Sat.
until late. Özlem Tekin, Istanbul's bad girl, simply
jams
 every Saturday night, with the last set starting
around 2:30. The pounding, grit your teeth energy of her
concerts strips your senses raw with its sheer
exuberance. Speaking of stripping, the gorgeous girls
erotically dancing behind the bar are as close to a Go
Go bar as you'll get in this country! Definitely head to
Exen on Wed. and Thur. nights and catch some good live
music without a cover charge, starts around 12:00, and
it’s usually a whole lot of fun. If you get there early
enough you can stake out a spot on the raised seating/dancing
platform near the stage and check out Istanbul's newest
IN place. Sleek, slick, and sexy, Exen is worth the
7,50 YTL cover on Friday and Saturdays.
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ddress: |
Siraselviler Cad. No:103/6
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ClosingTime: |
midnight |
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tel: |
0212 292-2219 |
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On a street with more fire than
flair is a truly unique place, reminiscent of Parisian
bistros and Greenwich Village haunts. When
 you walk into
Engin Yorukoglu's Jazz Stop it's like you've left
Istanbul and entered another dimension where serious
music lives with a kind of subdued energy just waiting
to be released. Cozy and comfortable, the Jazz Stop is
the kind of place you won't want to leave. Ever!
Engin is a patriarch of the music scene here and has
been creating fresh new musical interpretations with
various guest musicians for over thirty years. More of
an attitude than a bar, the tasteful brick and wood
atmosphere reflects the 23 years he spent in Paris; he
is one of those really cool people that makes this city
such an exciting place to be in. The professionally
designed bar is a perfect vantage from which to watch
the big screen TV and the high tables give you a great
view of the stage.
Off in the corner is a separate bar area for relaxed
privacy and gourmet snacks while you absorb the
acoustics of an astounding array of some of the best
musicians around...anywhere. Sundays feature Tolga
Candar, an Aegean folk soloist, and Malabadi, a flamenco
group, performs every Monday. Tuesday nights are rapidly
becoming an institution, as Mogollar has been taking the
stage with its unique synthesis of traditional ethnic
music fused with modern Turkish rock.
We can't really call the Wed. thru Sat. group the
‘house band’ since famous musicians regularly sit in and
jam on some classic melodies, reflecting the mood of the
moment. They don't rip you off with cover charges. You
always get your money's worth. Sundays and Tuesdays the
first drink will cost you a hefty 15,00 YTL; all other
drinks at all other times cost about 5,00 YTL, with
discounts on Wed. and Thurs. It's really worth it! The
Jazz Stop is a class act.
Jazz Stop
Tel Sok. No: 9 (at the end of Buyukparmakkapi Sokak)
Tel: 0212 252-9314 |
HERCAI is one of
the cute café-restaurants nestled among the other cafes,
restaurants, bars and bookshops in Dumlupinar
Sokagi. It’s
 near Greenhouse, a bookshop with a
café and an underused seminar room, which is run by an
American woman and right beside an underground looking
bar called Mad! In front of it, there is a stall of bric-a-brac
attended by a woman and beside it there is a blackboard
announcing the dishes of the day unpretentiously in neat
handwriting.
Hercai occupies the entire space of the nice little
three-storied old house. As you enter you are greeted by
the original cinema posters of socially conscious films
of the past such as Land and Freedom by Ken Loach,
Before the Rain, Children of the Revolution and Protest.
The restaurant is on the second floor and the café is on
the third. You climb up the stairs without fear of
intrusion and come to a room with a service bar, a desk
and a couple of comfortable chairs on the right and five
or six tables for the customers on the left. Sit
anywhere you like and be ready to be greeted by the
friendly Vildan or Songul.
In Hercai, the prices are as unassuming as the place
itself and the service is as agreeable as the food they
serve. They present a daily changing menu, which has
unchanging dishes of manti (Turkish ravioli served with
yoghurt, with or without garlic), sausage plate, quiche
and chicken schnitzel everyday, and a sheet of notepaper
to order what you would like to have. Songul says that
they have had to add chicken schnitzel to the menu,
because people have asked for it so often.
There is a variety of dishes, which will easily
satisfy both vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike. If
you like pasta, choose their macaroni with tomato or
green pepper sauce or with both. If you want to try a
traditional Turkish dish try Imambayildi (translated
into English literally, it is "the imam loved it") that
is aubergines cooked in olive oil and served cold or
Orman Kebabi with pieces of boiled lamb and a variety of
vegetables in natural juicy sauce. You could also order
boiled rice to complement whatever you have chosen. Mind
you, if you do not wish to eat bread with your meal,
unlike the majority of the locals, tell them because
bread is free of charge and served automatically in a
basket.
A meal for two at Hercai will cost you around $5-6
and you won’t regret the forage into the delightful back
streets of Kadiköy. It’s a great place; check it out as
soon as you can. It’s good value for money, with great
service and a peaceful atmosphere. It’s worth every
lira. Open Monday - Saturday 9:00-21:30.
Hercai
Dumlupinar Sokak No: 21
Kadiköy
Tel: 0216 414 28 26 |
Café Crème
Café Crème has been on the corner of Cami Meydani, opposite the
American hamburger chain, at Mecidiye Köprüsü Sokak No:12,
Ortaköy for quite some time. Fehmi takes pride in his three
floors of serene pleasantly quiet atmosphere and excellent
Mediterranean cuisine with an extensive Sunday Brunch buffet every
weekend. Cost: 15,00 YTL. For lunch or dinner, try the very
popular Seafood Salad, the tasty special of the house, Café Crème
Beefsteak or the delicious Salmon Spinach Crepe. There is also a
great range of vegetarian choices on the menu. Live music wafts
through the café on Thursday evenings and Sunday lunchtimes and
there’s generally Latino music playing softly most other times.
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Best Istanbul Transfer
