Music entertainment in Turkey
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A
Queen Bar
Popular with travellers and locals alike, this place has a lively dance floor on the 1st floor and a more sedentary bar on the second. The friendly DJ, Emin, encourages musical requests.
reviewed
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B
Ghetto
Decor-wise, this three-storey club behind the Flower Passage (Çiçek Pasaji) combines Renaissance-style painted high ceilings with modernist touches including a long, back-illuminated bar with bottles that seem to glow in the dark. The musical program is equally interesting, comprising creative foreign or local live acts. In summer, it hosts Peymane @ Ghetto Teras (reached via a back staircase), an open-air restaurant-cum-music lounge that ‘doesn’t close until the sun is up’. Check the website for schedules and cover charges.
reviewed
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C
Sokak Café & Bar
Like its next-door neighbour, Hasanaga Restaurant (a low stone wall separates the two), every square inch of this café's back garden is covered in a delightful canopy of light-strung trees. Literally. But since Sokak is still the new kid on the block, crowds are generally light. (Might have something to do with the music being way too loud.) Otherwise, an acceptable place to kill an evening over cups of çay or, more realistically, glasses of Efes (local beer).
reviewed
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D
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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E
Despina
Established in 1946 by the glamorous Madame Despina, whose faded photograph greets guests at the entrance, Despina is mainly patronised by neighbourhood locals, who come for its good Armenian/Greek food (à la carte only) and the live fasıl music played by very accomplished musicians. On a warm evening the garden is a great setting for musical revelry.
reviewed
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F
Andon
In addition to a rooftop restaurant with fine views over the Bosphorus, a wine bar with a rowdy soloist, a disco in the ground-floor and a third floor dedicated to the so-called İstanbul sanat (art) music, Andon is known for the fasıl music performed in its excellent fourth-floor meyhane. Come prepared to sing along.
reviewed
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G
Roof
The strobe lights inside this cramped 2nd floor dance club are enough to give you a brain aneurysm, but the music - banging techno and jungle - more than makes up for it. The crowds here are generally small and, although the music is played at a ridiculously high volume, there's an outdoor balcony well suited to conversation.
reviewed
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H
Roxy
Bright young things flock to this dance-and-performance club, off Sıraselviler Caddesi, Taksim, that includes a gallery, a party space and YAN Gastrobar. If you eat here before clubbing, you get in free via a side door, dodging the long lines outside and the possibility that you might not get past the door staff.
reviewed
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I
Reina
Many of the Beyoğlu clubs are closed from June or July – when the party crowd moves down to Turkey’s southern coasts – until the end of September. Those clubbers who stay in town tend to flock to the open-air waterfront spots such as Reina.
reviewed
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J
Tonique
Perched as a part-open-air penthouse duplex on the top floor of the Balans building, this has been the scene of many recent memorable electronic music and MTV happenings in the city. Resident and foreign guest DJs creatively vie to captivate beautiful scenesters.
reviewed
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Donjon
Hip young things loll on the beanbags downstairs and listen to the in-house DJ spin his stuff; others seek out the pleasant roof balcony or the terraces with its swimming pool and imposing views over the Bosphorus. It's the second café from the fortress.
reviewed
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K
Club Lighthouse
Fishing boats docked alongside the outdoor patio here lend a much-needed aura of elegance to an otherwise Bacchanalian discotheque. House and techno DJs are among the usual offerings here, as is the occasional bubble party.
reviewed
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L
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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M
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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N
Angelique
Angelique is a safe bet if you want to have dinner, a few drinks and a dance or two. You’ll need to make reservations though.
reviewed
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O
Blackk
Blackk is a good option if you want to have dinner, a few drinks and a dance. You’ll need to make a reservation.
reviewed
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P
Süreyya Opera House
Most performances by İstanbul State Opera and Ballet take place here.
reviewed
