Beyoglu has been the site of drinking, dancing, theatre,
debauchery and other non-Muslim pastimes in Istanbul for centuries.
Although it developed a reputation for seediness in the 1980s, Istanbul’s
huge youth population and the spirit of liberalism has ensured the
district’s recovery, with the clip joints and strip clubs rolling
back off Istiklal Caddesi to make room for more nightclubs, wine bars
and jazz venues. Technically, the drinking age is 18 years but identity
cards are rarely checked and there is a noticeable, even irritating,
quantity of teenagers who think nothing of shelling out cover charges
well over the European norm.
Clubs:
Istanbul’s clubs are for the young and rich and are often shockingly
expensive. The city looks to outsparkle Ibiza in the plethora of high-class
clubs that continue to open on the Bosphorus ‘strip’ – Muallim Naci
Caddesi, between Kurucesme and Ortakoy. Club 29 in Ulus Park
is the most glamorous, with an open-air dance floor holding 1000 (summers
only); similarly Chinawhite, on Muallim Naci Caddesi 120 in
Ortakoy, is Istanbul’s most exclusive UK-based club, with a strict
door policy. Nu Pera and Nu Teras are both based at Mesrutiyet 147
– the former is open in the summer, with great views over the Bosphorus,
the latter in winter. Based in a historic building, the club plays
hiphop and underground in New York-style ambience. The famous Zihni
Bar nearby at number 119 commands a fabulous Bosphorus view and
is frequented by stockbrokers. Milk, behind St Antoine’s Church
at Akarsu Sokak 5, is primarily a gay/straight techno bar and Switch,
at Muammer Karaca Çikmazi 3, is its main ‘underground’ competitor.
Live music: Babylon is the premier live music club in Istanbul with standing
capacity 300 people. It is located in the heart of the city. Babylon
has a monthly program presenting music from the international jazz,
blues, latin, acid jazz, funk, neo-funk, trip-hop, drum'n bass , world
music and electronica scene. drum'n bass , music and electronica scene.
drum'n.detail is reflected in Seybender Sokak, Asmalimescit, puts
on adventurous experimental and jazz concerts.
For live jazz, Gramofon at Tünel Square is the best and, for
Latin music, Q’bana’s, at Muallim Naci Caddesi 138 in Ortaköy, is
an upmarket alternative. Roxy, at Arslan Yatagi, off Sirasilveler
Caddesi, features live Turkish and international dance bands. The
Kerem Gorsev Jazz Bar at the Milli Reassurans Mall in Macka is run
by a well known Turkish jazz musician. HIP Productions is involved
in a number of concerts and clubs as well as an international techno
festival in September. Pozitif Promotions, puts on the Efes Pilsen
International Blues Festival in October, the Fuji World music weekends
and runs the Babylon Club.
Park Orman (tel/fax: (212) 328 2020), Buyukdere Caddesi Maslak,
is a vast park complex with various restaurants, clubs, sports facilities
and music venues (inside and open air) in a forest setting. The venue
hosts the J&B Techno Festival in September each year as well as
an increasing amount of music events throughout the year. For Turkish
traditional music, check out bars and meyhanes advertising fasil,
or classical romantic singing.
Catwalk 0212-2310356
Maçka Demokrasi Parkı Maçka
Catwalks features fusion foods and has a great sea view out the window.
The restaurant opens at 19.00 and closes when the last customer leave.
Hammam 0212-5116316
Sepetçiler Karı Sarayburnu
Located in the historical “Sepetçiler Kasrı”,
Hammam’s restaurant transforms into a nightclub at night. Th party
goes until 02.00 - 03.00.
Joy Ortaköy 0212-3272844
M.Naci Cd Salhane Sk No:5 Ortaköy
Joy is a restaurant, bar and nightclub ans is open from 19.00 – 04.00.
You can listen to trip pop, acid jazz and Latin Music. It is essential
to make a reservation for dinner.
7 th House 0212-3610718
Nizamiye Cd No: 11/13 Taksim
A nightclub where you can hear underground music.
Soho 0212-2450152
Meşelik Sk No:11/12 Taksim
As a supper club, Soho serves Italian and French cuisine. No live
music, but a different DJ provides the tunes every night.
