Tourism: Night Fever in Istanbul .. Entertainment, Bars & Clubs at Weekends

A NIGHT OUT IN ISTANBUL

Istanbul which is located on two continents and known for its mosques, historical sites and carpets is at the same time among the world’s most visually stimulating cities.

In paralel to Turkey’s economic and social development, Istanbul has now become one of the most outstanding cities in the world with unparallelled energy, vitality and an unbelievable variety of entertainment and social opportunities.

The nightlife in Istanbul has recently gained recognition as one of the liveliest in Europe. You can enjoy a night out at Beyoğlu with a plenty of clubs to spend time in or an optional night tour to discover the cream of nightlife in some most prominent restaurants.

CENTERS OF ATTRACTION ON A NIGHT OUT;

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)

A useful tip would be, not to go into bars that do not display a price list outside their premises .

Exactly like with many other major cities in the world you might not be able to assume the price of anything served inside. Therefore if the place is not displaying a price list you might be overcharged for a drink inside. And in case you wanted to protest the bill, you would most likely get into trouble.

You will find below information about most prominent bars and night clubs to visit on a night out/weekend  in Istanbul. It would be recommended to visit their websites or ring them to avoid any unpleasant surprises before you decide to do so.

Editor
BUSINESS TURKEY TODAY

NIGHT CLUBS

REINA : Muallim Naci Caddesi 10 – Ortaköy. T: +90 212 259 59 19, Queen of Bosphorus Reina is the hottest club in Istanbul. It hosts several restaurants and bars that can accommodate over 2000 people. Packed with celebrities. Located just at the edge of the European side of the Bosphorus bridge. Fancy clothes required. No jeans and t-shirts . Open all day from 17:00 to 04:00

SUPPERCLUB / CRYSTAL LOUNGE: Muallim Naci Caddesi No: 65, Ortakoy. T:+90 212 261 19 88. This Summer 2007 Supper club and Crystal has made a corperation and the new concept has started at the Crystal clubs lounge part. Open on Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 24:00 to 05:30 hrs.

CLUB CRYSTAL: Muallim Naci Caddesi No: 65, Ortakoy. T:+90 212 261 19 88. Crystal is still one of the most trendy clubs of Istanbul. Probably the best club in town located in Ortakoy. The club has tough bouncers, fancy clothes required. No jeans and t-shirts. If you happen to be there at midnight you might see an empty place, however the club gets its tune only after 02:00 hrs

SAMDAN: Nispetiye Cad. No:30 Etiler. T:+90 212 263 48 98. For 30 years on Samdan is the most favorite club of Istanbul. It is always popular and crowded. First floor is the restaurant and the second floor is the club. Fancy clothes required. No jeans and t-shirts

MORI & MOJITO : Muallim Naci Cad. Salhane Cad. No: 1 Ortakoy. T: +90 212 327 30 30, Supposed to be one of the hottest spot of Summer 2006. Famous Japanese restaurant of Moji and famous club Mojito has together created a not to miss summer spot. Open all days from 18: to 04:00.

SORTIE: Muallim Naci Cad. No:141-142 – Kuruçesme, T:+90 212 327 85 85 . Located in Kurucesme between Ortakoy and Bebek. The club is last years most favourite club and still one of the top clubs of summer 2006 is expected to be one of the hottest clubs of Istanbul especially in hot summer nights. Fancy dressing required and bouncers never allow Jeans and same sorts. Cover charge is pricey. Open all day from 18:00 to 04:00, Except Wednesdays.

SECRET: Istiklal Cad. Saka Salim Çikmazi No:3 K:1 Beyoglu. This brand new club has some secrets to share with you. Definitely a surprise on the old pera district at Istiklal street. This new compact club with its high tech design, hosts fancy nites at popular taksim area on Istiklal street.

ANJELIQUE: Muallim Naci Cad. Salhane Sk. No:10 Ortaköy,T:+90 212 327 28 44. The club has its summer opening on 9th of June with its new decoration. restaurant section opens at 19:00 and continues as a club till 04:00 hrs. It will be a favorite destination on hot Istanbul summer nights just adjacent to the Bosphorus shores. Enjoy the marvellous bosphorus view.

BABYLON : Sehbender Sokak 3, Asmali Mescit- Tu nel/Beyoglu T: +90 212 292 73 63 A premier live music club with a monthly program. Open Thursday to Saturday from 21:30 – 03:00

MOJO CLUB : Istiklal cad. Buyukparmakkapi sok. No:26 Beyoglu. T:+90 212 243 29 27. Mojo is a favorite rock club in Istanbul located near the Istiklal street, the club performs live concerts till 04:00 am. The cover charge changes between 5 € to 15 €, from weekdays to weekends

ROXY: Arslan Yatagi Sokak 3 – Cihangir / Beyoglu T: +90 212 245 65 39. Roxy is one of the hottest club in winter season. the club will be closed from 18th of june till september. So enjoy the never ending nights till 18th of june. Open all day from 22:00 to 04:00, except Sunday & Monday.

SOHO SUPPER CLUB: Meselik Sok. No:14 Taksim. T:+90 212 245 01 52. Soho club with Acid Jazz, House and funk music is open from Thursday to Sunday from 10:00 to 02:00 am. Weekends till 04:00 am

BESINCI KAT-BILSAK : Soganci Sokak 7 – Cihangir/Beyoglu T: +90 212 293 37 74. Open all day from 11:00 to 01:00 except Sunday

CLUB 29: Adnan Saygun Cad. Ulus parki, Ulus. T: +90 212 358 29 29. One of the fanciest clubs of Istanbul located in the elegant district Ulus. Open daily till 04:00 am

KEMANCI: Sira Selviler Caddesi 69/1 – Cihangir / Beyoglu. T: +90 212 251 27 23. Kemanci has three floors Hard rock on the main floor, techno on the second and pop-rock on the third floor. Open all day from 21:00 to 04:00

LINE MUSIC CLUB: Istiklal Caddesi Buyukparmakkapi sok. No:14/A Beyoglu. T:+90 212 252 06 94. Groups with Punk, Rock, Acid Jazz, Neo Funk or Funk style performs live every mid-night till 04:00. Cover charge on weekends.

YENI MELEK GOSTERI MERKEZI: Istiklal Caddesi Gazeteci Erol dernek sok. No:13 Beyoglu. T:+90 212 244 97 00. Yeni Melek Show center is not a club but a party and concert hall. The center can host up to 2000 people and they organize special events on several nights. You might be watching live your favorite star in this center.

JAZZ CLUBS

JAZZ CAFE ISTANBUL: Istiklal Caddesi Hasnun Galip Sok No:20 Beyoglu. T:+90 212 245 05 16. Istanbuls oldest Jazz club, open for 23 years

Q Jazz in the Park: Parkorman, Maslak. T: +90 212 328 20 31, A New Jazz club inside the parkorman, hosting jazz lovers. Very hip and pricy.

Istanbul Jazz Center: Radisson otel the Bosphorus: T: +90 212 327 50 50. Inside the new radisson hotel at Ortakoy, they organize jazz concerts and jazz events.

NARDIS JAZZ CLUB : Kuledibi Caddesi No:14, Galata. T:+90 212 244 63 27. One of Istanbuls most favorite Jazz club, located inside a historical building this jazz club has live programs on every night. Open Monday-Saturday.

BARS

VOGUE: Spor caddesi BJK Plaza A blk Kat:13 akaretler – Besiktas. T:+90 212 227 44 04. One of the fanciest restaurant and bar of Istanbul. Located at the top floor of  BJK plaza, the bar has a wonderful bosphorus view from the top. This elegant bar restaurant is the meeting place of celebrities.

212 Restaurant & Bar: Muallim naci Cad No:39, Ortakoy. T: +90 212 327 41 53. Just a brand new restaurant and bar, located on the summers fancy district of Ortakoy. 212 is located inside a historical building and has a restaurant up to 200 people. 212 has also got two bars which hosts live events. Ideal for a fancy dinner and dancing till morning lights. Open Daily till 04:00, weekends 05:00.

360: Istiklal Cad. Misir Apt. Kat 8, Beyoglu. T:+90 212 251 10 42. Located on the historical pera district 360, gives a challenge to watch the wonderful Istanbul landscape with 360 degree. All sides are covered with glass windows that lets you enjoy the landscape. 360 is located at the 7th and 8th floor of the building, where 8th floor is the restaurant and 7th floor is used as a bar and club. Open all day from 12:00 to 02:00, weekends till 04:00.

ANDON BAR: Siraselviler Caddesi No:89/2 Beyoglu, T:+90 212251 02 22. A five story building with different themes on each floor . Open Monday-Saturday till 03:00 am

NUTERAS/NU PERA: Mesrutiyet Caddesi 149,Petits-Champs pasaji- Beyoglu. T:+90 212 245 58 10. Just next to the famous Pera Palas otel, this bar has two main section the ground floor and rooftop. Rooftop has a wonderful view. The drinks are pricey and dress code required. Open all day from 18:00 to 02:00

BEBEK BAR: Bebek Hotel at Bebek. T: +90 212 358 20 00. A favorite bar for nearly 25 years. The bar has a fantastic view of Bosphorus and an extensive selection of drinks. Open daily till 01:00 am

THE JAMES JOYCE : Istiklal Caddesi Balo Sok. No:26 – Beyoglu T : +90 212 244 79 70, James Joyce Irish bar is open for six years and moved to its new place recently. It has Irish music on the background and open all day from 10:00 to 02:00.

V.S.O.P BAR: The Marmara Istanbul Hotel, Taksim. T:+90 212 251 46 96. Located in the lobby level of the Marmara hotel, V.S.O.P is a typical English bar. It is specialized on Brandy and Scotch and Irish Whiskeys. Open Daily from noon to midnight.

ROCK HOUSE: Dereboyu Caddesi 36/38 – Ortaköy T: +90 212 259 89 11. Open all day from 12:00 – 02:30, Located inside the Ortakoy Princess hotel.

CAMELOT: Çalikusu Sok. 3. Aralik No:4 1. Levent. T:+90 212 325 68 22. Camelot is located at Levent inside a two story nice house. The upper section is an italian restaurant and on the ground floor it has a nice bar.

TURKISH TAVERNS (MEYHANE)

CUMHURIYET: Sahne sok. No:47 Beyoglu (Behind the Flower Passage). Istanbuls favorite Meyhane, which was hosting Ataturk in the old days, now hosting people from different ages and cultures. This 3 story Meyhane has seating for 600 people and open daily till 02:00. Live music available on the third floor.

GALATEA : Sofyali Sok. No:16 Asmalimescit, Beyoglu. T:+90 212 292 54 31. Watch live traditional Turkish music (Fasil) while enjoying the nice Turkish courses. Open daily till 03:00 am

IMROZ:   Nevizade Sokak No:24 Beyoglu. T:+90 212 249 90 73. Located next to the Flower passage, this 2 story Meyhane is dating since 1942 and is the oldest Greek-style tavern in Istanbul. Open daily till midnight.

YA & RE’ N (Yaren): Asmalimescit sok. No:35 Tunel, Beyoglu. T: +90 212 245 78 79. Located on the historical pera region this new meyhane has been founded with the joint venture of two old meyhane. Open Daily till midnight

Istiklal Street Cafe and Bars: See the map .

SOURCE: http://www.letsgoistanbul.com/clubs.htm