Istanbul Nightlife

Istanbul's nightlife is as layered as the city itself — a fascinating mix of traditional meyhane culture (the Turkish equivalent of a taverna, built around raki, meze and conversation), contemporary cocktail bars, and a rapidly evolving electronic music scene. The heart of Istanbul's night culture is Beyoğlu, on the European side: İstiklal Caddesi and its backstreets host hundreds of bars, live music venues and clubs catering to every taste. Karaköy, the hipster neighbourhood by the Golden Horn, has seen an explosion of excellent cocktail bars in recent years. For a uniquely Istanbul experience, rooftop bars with views of the Bosphorus and the minarets of the old city — particularly in Sultanahmet and on the Asian side at Kadıköy — offer something no other city in the world can match. The Asian side of Istanbul (Kadıköy and Moda) has a more local, less touristy bar scene that's increasingly popular.