Marmaris
Big hitter Joy Club is shiny and sinful with three large bars. It scores big time for sheer loose behaviour. Expect mainstream party sounds. Entry free…
Must-see nightlife in Turkey
Kayseri
The bar inside the very central Wyndham Grand Hotel has an old-fashioned pub feel with plenty of dark wood and a couple of comfy sofas. It's a relaxed…
Fethiye
With bumpers protruding above its doors, this wacky, car-themed British boozer-cum-club stages live music at weekends when its popularity with locals and…
İzmir & the North Aegean
With shady garden seating just off the main road, this cool beer garden makes a welcome midtown pit stop. It's one of three dishevelled birahanesi (beer…
Black Sea Coast
The bar itself is just a mustard-yellow box but there is accoustic live music at 9pm daily and seating that spills out onto the harbourside, so you can…
Fethiye
This little cafe-bar has tables nudging the boats at Karagözler 2 marina and even one or two on a small wooden platform over the water. It's a great place…
Kalkan
This garden bar-restaurant is the watering hole of choice for expats to mourn the old country over cocktails, pizza, pool or table football. Check…
Göcek
Facing the Med, this relaxed bar is great for a sundowner after a day on the sea. Happy hour (5pm to 7pm) offers two-for-one cocktails, and the margaritas…
Mardin
Either retire to the expansive terrace for views, or grab an indoor table and a cold beer and wait for the live music to kick off – from Wednesday to…
Kalkan
Stylish black-and-white bar, offering a long list of cocktails, from classics to Kalkan Skies (Bacardi with lemon and pineapple juice), tapas and snacks …
İzmir
One of the most popular clubs in Alsancak, Jackson’s is housed in what was once the British consul’s residence. It has an in-house DJ, a small dance floor…
Çanakkale
This thumping club at the northern end of the kordon spins Turkish pop for its party-focused patrons and offers drink deals for early-birds. Check its…
Kars
Housed in a historic mansion, this unthreatening cafe-bar serves beer (from ₺20) and attracts a younger crowd for the live Turkish/Caucasian/Kurdish music…
Konya
This nargile (water pipe) cafe is a popular evening haunt. It's best in summer when you can relax outside with your çay and nargile after a long day…
South Aegean
At the village entrance, you can taste Şirince wines in the huge erstwhile Greek schoolhouse, with great views from the outside terrace and courtyard…
Kaş
This well-positioned cafe-bar has a nice relaxed atmosphere. Watch the world pass from the tables on the pedestrianised street, with a decent snacks and…
Trabzon
Though predominantly a cafe, this relaxed place also serves Efes beers (₺20). It's on the top floor of the Galeria Iş Merkezi shopping arcade, with open…
Far Northeast
Semi-cute, female-friendly cafe with artificial flowers in faux window-boxes and a swing seat amid the wrought-iron framed settees. It's upstairs opposite…
Erzurum
Arzen is one of the city's top sweetshop-cafes with gilt touches, high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows on the top floor overlooking Yakutiye Medrese…
Şanlıurfa
Recharge at this juice bar on the edge of the bazaar. We find the zingy greyfurt suyu (grapefruit juice) especially refreshing.
Kaş
Garden cafe and bar, accessed by a nondescript doorway on the main square, and a relaxed spot for evening drinks. Only a stone's throw from the hustle and…
Bodrum Town
This unpretentious old favourite with its face to the sea and back to town plays rock music, with alleyway seating and friendly staff. Happy-hour deals…
Side
This ever-popular spot opposite the beach might be better suited to a tropical island than a Turkish promontory. It boasts it serves the best mojitos in…
Side
Grab an comfy chair at this neon-lit corner bar on a small square just off the beach promenade. Cocktails are relatively well-priced considering the…
Ürgüp
After dark, Ürgüp's bright young things lounge around on the sofas out the front as hip-hop blasts from the stereo. There's often live music from 8pm.
Şanlıurfa
This pub and beer garden is a haven from the Anatolian heat. It's too blokey for single female travellers, but we've seen local couples together here.
Kaş
With its wooden decks right on on the water, this bar 'under the grape tree' is a top spot for a sunset beer (₺18) or a cocktail with Meis views.
İzmir & the North Aegean
For a coffee or Coke on the main square in the upper village, this place has a pleasant shaded terrace offering attractive views and good company.
Datça & Bozburun Peninsulas
Jazz bands and pianists perform every night in summer (10pm to 1am) in this blue-and-white 'dive bar' (their words, not ours) on the waterfront.
Marmaris
At the eastern end of Bar St and towards the water, Club Areena is a large open-air nightclub with bars, terraces and nightly foam parties.
Kadıköy
This Kadıköy branch of the popular coffee chain is conveniently located between the iskele (ferry dock) and the produce market.
Marmaris
The split personality B52 comes in two parts: a boisterous club on one side and a chilled cocktail bar with outside seating on the other.
Fethiye
Almost disappearing into the Bar St melee, this tiny bar specialises in live music. Turkish waterpipes (nargile) are available.
İzmir & the North Aegean
Musicians often entertain the drinkers at this rough-and-ready bar on the waterfront. Tabletop dancing is not unknown.
Fethiye
Serves decent coffee, as well as good cakes and light snacks. Tables out front are prime people-watching territory.
Kalkan
Enjoys a prime position between new town and old town; Kalkan's oldest boozer is still one of its liveliest.
Kalkan
Swish cocktail lounge with a clubby vibe later on in the evening, but expect pretty commercial dance tunes.
Kars
This leafy riverside spot is perfect for a glass of çay in the shade after after walking up to the castle.
İzmir
The outside tables are hot property at this pizzeria on a small square. Most just come for a beer, though.
Bursa
Beneath hanging creepers, this side-street courtyard cafe is a welcome retreat from the Bursa bustle.
