Entertainment in Central Anatolia
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Darüşşifa
The Darüşşifa or Bimarhane was built as a mental hospital by Ilduş Hatun, wife of the İlkhanid Sultan Olcaytu, in 1309 and may have been the first place to try to treat mental disorders with music.
The İlkhans were the successors to Ghengis Khan's Mongols, who had defeated the Anatolian Seljuks. Their architecture reflects motifs borrowed from many conquered peoples and the building is based on the plan of a Seljuk medrese. Today the building is often used for exhibitions, concerts and events.
reviewed
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Papirüs Cafeteria
A student crowd (male and female, we promise) gathers here to take advantage of the delightfully authentic setting – it's housed in a historic mansion off Atatürk Bulvarı – and swap numbers in the leafy courtyard. Don't miss the ancient frescoes in the upstairs rooms.
reviewed
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C
Cafe Şehzade
The décor alone is worth a gander: the atmospheric Şehzade is housed in an 800-year-old converted hamam (bathhouse). The food, mostly snacks, is so-so but it's a good place to meet students and sip a cup of tea. Drop by in late afternoon, when there's live music.
reviewed
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IF Performance Hall
This grand basement venue stages big acts, both international and Turkish, with a distinctive '90s rock flavour.
reviewed
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Osmanlı Çarşısı
An early-20th-century house serving çay, coffee and nargilehs. It's popular with Turkish students, there's a rustic toast wagon outside and the whole place has more character than a whirlpool full of dervishes.
reviewed
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F
Ada Aile Çay Bahçesi
The best place for a tea is Genclik Parkı, across the road from Opera Meydanı. Head straight for the Ada Aile Çay Bahçesi, which juts out into the lake, to watch the world go by over a samovar.
reviewed
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Arasta Lonca Kahvesi
This is one of the town's most congenial places for a coffee, but it's in the thick of the arasta action, so you pay for the atmosphere (çay TL2.50); head to the backstreets for a quieter, cheaper cuppa.
reviewed
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Subaşı Çay Bahçesi
On the riverbank, opposite the Grand Pasha Hotel, is a popular tea garden. Several pleasant tea gardens also line the Yeşilırmak around Belediye Parkı and Sultan Beyazıt II Camii.
reviewed
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Kızılırmak Sineması
Kızılırmak Sineması is one of Ankara's cinemas which occasionally shows Western films in the original language. The Turkish Daily News gives programme details.
reviewed
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Kavaklıdere Sineması
Kavaklıdere Sineması is one of Ankara's cinemas which occasionally shows Western films in the original language. The Turkish Daily News gives programme details.
reviewed
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Megapol Sineması
Megapol Sineması is one of Ankara's cinemas which occasionally shows Western films in the original language. The Turkish Daily News gives programme details.
reviewed
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Konya Fuarı
In the evening it's fun to duck into the grounds of the Konya Fuarı, where you can sip tea while watching the locals navigate pedaloes round an artificial lake.
reviewed
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Asmalı Konak Cafe
A soothing venue set in a converted house, on a lively pedestrianised street. Nab a table on the balcony and watch the world stroll by with a glass of ayran in hand.
reviewed
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Qube Bar
Slightly more sophisticated than the neighbouring pubs, Qube has a removable glass roof. Food is available.
reviewed
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Zılgıt Cafe-Bar
This cosy place full of nooks, crannies, carpets and cushions features live music every evening. Soft drinks and alcohol are available. It's near the Yunus Hotel.
reviewed
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Café Zeugma
With its backlit carvings and strobes, this cavernous cultural centre is quite popular with students for its live music.
reviewed
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O
Café des Cafés
Trust the moniker and stick to the hot drinks and sweet crepes, then sit on the red-and-white sofa and sharpen up your people-watching skills.
reviewed
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Jazz Time
A low-key jazz club, with tables, usually hosting live Turkish pop or folk artists. The attached Gitanes Bar has a garden terrace.
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Café Bülbül
Another peaceful refuge. It lures in students in search of a pleasant spot to flirt and relax over a soft drink.
reviewed
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OverAll
Another popular dancefloor venue with a mixed bag of nights, from bands to hip-hop, dance and, um, karaoke.
reviewed
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Tütün Hanı
Set in the picturesque courtyard of the carefully restored Tütün Hanı, this teahouse is a great place to enjoy a cheap tea and nargileh. It has bags of character, featuring rugs, low wooden tables and cushions.
reviewed
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Türkü Cafe
On Safranbolu's equivalent of a bar strip, this friendly place is run by a cool mother and daughter team who pour ice cold Efes in the shadow of Cinci Hanı. Türkü also hosts regular live music in the form of locals belting out pop tunes.
reviewed
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The Edge
Generous happy-hour drink specials, good indie music and a mixed crowd make this corner spot popular throughout the week.
reviewed
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Simit Bahane
An antidote to Kızılay's smoother establishments, with backgammon, newspapers and nargilehs (traditional water pipes) providing the entertainment.
reviewed
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Sade Kahve
Opposite a slew of tinkerers and metalbenders, this is a fabulous little find run by coffee fanatics who make a mean brew, Turkish or otherwise, and the most delicious waffles in town. From the curvy cup handles to the complimentary chocolate, Sade is smooth.
reviewed
