Live Music entertainment in Turkey
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A
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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B
Barış Türkü Cafe & Disco
The Barış was the flavour of the month when we visited, and it's easy to see why. Housed in a historic mansion, this atmosphere-laden café-bar-disco-restaurant has a happening buzz and is a magnet for students of both sexes who come here to flirt, gossip, puff a nargileh, dance and listen to live bands (three times a week). If hunger beckons after swigging more than a few glasses of Efes in the basement, you can order an excellent yayla kebap (kebap with yoghurt) to restore balance to the brain.
reviewed
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C
Babylon
This venue for live performances is a city institution. Its eclectic program often features big-name international music acts, particularly during the festival season. Most of the action occurs in the concert hall but it also runs an eponymous restaurant/lounge with a DJ spinning right behind the hall. Cover charges and performance times vary; book at Biletix or at the box office (open 10am to 6pm, longer on days of performance).
reviewed
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D
Barabar Türk Evi
The closest thing Van has to a pub, the Barabar is a definite rare breed in eastern Turkey. It may be lodged on the 1st floor of an unprepossessing building, but there is a fever-pitch energy with its mainly student crowd of both sexes gulping pints of frothy draught beer. Yes, BEER! It gets frantic at weekends, with a live band knocking out Kurdish tunes - tear it up on the dance floor if you dare.
reviewed
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E
Garibaldi
Garibaldi is tucked away in the side alley of an old Armenian Catholic church next to the Odakule complex on İstiklal Caddesi. Its dining hall has great acoustics for enjoyment of its pleasing fasıl group. In summer the action moves to the romantic cobbled courtyard.
reviewed
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F
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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G
Jolly Joker Balans
The gig-goers among the lively multinational crowd enjoy the city’s best locally brewed beer (the caramel brew) and gravitate towards the upstairs bi-level performance hall, which features a balcony with glass floors. Check the website for schedules and cover charges.
reviewed
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H
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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I
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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J
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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K
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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L
Laila
Pitched as a one-stop nightlife shop, Laila has an impressive four floors of self-contained entertainment, including all-day restaurant, café, Internet, live music room and disco.
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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M
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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Dinazor Bar
Set in a 19th-century olive oil warehouse, this stunning and super-cool bar is Ayvalık's best. In summer, there's live music nightly from 23:00 to 02:00.
reviewed
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N
Meis Bar
Newly opened in a lovely old stone house, this place functions as a bar, a venue for live music, and full-blown nightclub. It's the place to be seen.
reviewed
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O
Leyli Türkü Café
Right next door, this student favourite opts for a much more traditional café-pub vibe, attracting daytime coffee-sippers as well as live music crowds.
reviewed
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P
Set Café&Pub
Across the stream from the Mahfel Mado, this multi-terraced pub has live music, Fosters lager and an entertainingly confusing layout.
reviewed
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Q
Café Life
Choose Life: just opposite the Bordo Mavi, this wood-floored café-bar offers a beguiling mix of fast food and folky live music.
reviewed
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R
Campanella Bar
Though small, this Orientalist-style bar is full of atmosphere and usually has live music playing.
reviewed
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S
Piccolo Bar
A cosy pub that has live music most nights, and seems to be popular with cigar-puffers.
reviewed
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T
Café Baryum
The lively and popular Baryum plays live music from 21:00 to 02:00 nightly.
reviewed
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U
Time Out
A rock club of the stylish (rather than dingy) variety, with pictures of Elvis et al, outside tables and a barman who plays sets.
reviewed
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V
Royal Castle Pub
The most bizarre of the venues making up the nightlife zone area just up from the harbour, the always busy RCP takes the phrase 'theme bar' to new heights (or depths, depending on your view). Staff dressed like Robin Hood (or Elvis or Zorro or Vikings, depending on the night/mood) bounce quality cocktails (TL16 to TL18) to giggling tourists. Big screens show all manner of sports, and the faux-Britishness extends to a menu of pub grub. You've gotta love it.
reviewed
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W
Mavi Bar
Across from Halıkarnas, 'Blue' lures in great live acts five nights a week. It's an intimate spot with white stone walls and blue trim. Don't expect things to get rollin' until around 1am.
reviewed
