Entertainment in Aegean Coast
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Pink Bistro Café
The oldest drinking establishment in Selçuk, it's called a café, looks like a pub, but functions as a bar-cum nightclub. Ask Mesut, the bar tender, to demonstrate some of his famous magic tricks.
reviewed
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Necco
Recently, a new phenomenon has come to Kuşadası: the beach club. Functioning as a beach club during the day, they transform themselves by night into a restaurant, followed by a lavish nightclub-on-sea. Two such places can be found on the way to Pigeon Island. Considered the hippest (and the first on the scene) is Necco. It's very popular with the well heeled and well-dolled up.
To get here, take a dolmuş towards Kadınlar Denizi (Ladies Beach). It can drop you at the roundabout from where it's a short walk. On foot, ask the locals for the handy shortcut (about 1km from town).
reviewed
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C
Halıkarnas
Since the 1970s, the Halıkarnas has been a clubbers' institution. With top-quality sound and light equipment (including two Class IV lasers you can see in Greece), it's an extraordinary experience, particularly when at capacity (5000 people). Internationally known DJs are billed as well as world-touring shows. On Monday to Wednesday, there's free alcohol from 22:00 to 01:00. Note that it doesn't get going much before 01:00.
reviewed
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Marine Club Catamaran
This floating nightclub sets sail at 1.30am for three hours of frenzied fun amid DJed beats and the occasional frolicking drag queen. Its transparent dance floor can pack in 1500 clubbers plus attendant DJs. A free shuttle operates every 15 minutes back to the eastern bay.
reviewed
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E
Bizim Meyhane
With low beams, stone walls and plenty of dangling musical instruments, this place looks more barn than bar. Run by a sister and brother who sing and play their own tunes, Bizim is atmospheric, infectious and fun. Join the locals tossing back the rakı.
reviewed
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Kef Bar
A new, multipurpose place with tables right on the beach, you could pass the whole day here if you so fancied. From 09:00 to 20:00, it behaves as both café and beach club (with its own shower and changing rooms); from 20:00 to 23:00, it's a bar (with happy hour); and from 23:00 it's a club-cum-bar.
reviewed
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Old Town
In the old town, there's a string of fabulous bars-cum-nightclubs that are well-designed, glam and much more Turkish-than-tourist. Beer costs around €5.50 and all are open 22:00 to 04:00 May to September, though a few sporadically open at weekends in winter.
reviewed
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Han Bar
Upstairs in the 19th-century Yalı Han, this is a popular hang-out where DJs play. The outside gallery overlooks an equally popular courtyard tea garden.
reviewed
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Hedon
This big bar-venue attempts a spot of lounge sophistication up front, until you get to the barn-like dancefloor. The clientele also varies - on one memorable night the bar had to close early because the entire crowd was underage!
reviewed
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Olivia Jazz Club
Currently considered Ayvalık's brightest nightly star, it plays live music daily. It lies one block off Atatürk Bulvarı; take the side street bang opposite the fish market then take the first left onto 2 Sokak.
reviewed
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Café Mosaik
New on the scene and like a kind of open-ended den, it's carpet-clad and cushioned and decorated á la Turquie. It's fun place for beer or a nargileh with a good mix of European-Turkish-Arabic music.
reviewed
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Kalamiş
For a nargileh over a game of backgammon or okey (kind of Turkish dominoes) head for this atmospheric institution. Old men line the yellowed interior, but students (of both sexes) occupy the 1st floor.
reviewed
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Jimmy's Irish Bar
Jimmy's is still one of the biggest names in town, partly because it has the handiest position at the entrance to the street. For all of its mass-market, karaoke, 'hey, where you from?' faults, this can be a good place to meet other travellers (so long as you can hear what they're saying; it's very loud). The giant satellite dish on the roof beams in the compulsory football matches.
reviewed
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Barlar Sokak
What you'll make of the famous Barlar Sokak, or Bar St, probably depends on your penchant for Irish-theme pubs, karaoke bars and cheesy pick-up lines, but it's a good place to meet up with other travellers.
reviewed
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Orient Bar
Situated in a cosy stone structure in the heart of Kaleiçi, Orient Bar offers up a fun evening of live music where, by the end of the evening, everyone's singing along in tipsy revelry. Grapevines dangle from the lattice roof, so you're feeling peckish just reach up and snatch some fruit. Extra li'l touches – like framed portraits on the wall and teeny treasure chests that carry your bill – make this spot particularly memorable.
reviewed
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Kaleiçi
Kaleiçi (old Kuşadası) is home to several meyhanes (taverns) where meze and rakı (aniseed-flavoured grape brandy) are served up accompanied by live music.
reviewed
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Fora
Right above the water, this modern and minimalist place boast great views over the marina. It's cool and peaceful during the day and fast and fun during the night. There's a happy hour daily.
reviewed
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Ex-Club
More club than bar and with a sound system, disco balls and laser lights to prove it, this partly open-air place is crammed with dancers on the floor as well as around the balustrade above.
reviewed
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Küba Bar
The number-one spot for Bodrum's posh Turkish crowd to let loose on a night out on the town, Küba is bumpin' every night of the week in the height of summer. Swish countertops, eclectic DJed beats and plasmas showing pouting models – it all seems to get the partiers roaring. Earlier in the evening, Küba does smart international fare.
reviewed
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R
Depo
The biggest and rowdiest joint in a street of similar establishments, Depo has a warehouse vibe and a fantastic open courtyard full of beanbag chairs. It's the best dance spot in town.
reviewed
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Taş Kahve
From the card players and swooping swallows inside to the children tearing around outside, this is Alibey's favourite venue to catch up on town gossip.
reviewed
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Emin Çay Evı
A great, old-fashioned teahouse set on a lovely square, this place is in the heart of the bazaar. You can join the locals for a nargileh (water pipe), gossip and people-watch.
reviewed
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Yalı Hanı
This atmospheric bar set in an old caravanserai is the town's most popular live music venue. As well as the bar, there's a pleasant courtyard çay bahçesi.
reviewed
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Skyline
Calling itself a 'dance-bar' this tiny place (in the same building as Patika Restaurant Café Bar) was Çeşme's best when we visited. It has a lovely terrace.
reviewed
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Another Bar
Converted from an old citrus orchard, Another Bar has tables and stools dotted among the remaining trees and a large, central palm. There's also a large screen and a dance floor.
reviewed
