The back story 1
How Istanbul goes out.
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The back story
Istanbul after dark: the back story
From meyhane tables to rooftops, jazz rooms and Bosphorus clubs: how Istanbul goes out.
13 of the best · Istanbul, Türkiye
Nightlife in Istanbul
Istanbul’s nights start late and run late, on both continents.
Our 13 favourites, listed A–Z · Updated October 2026
What's onThis week in Istanbul
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Insiders' picks
Three of our favourites from this list, vetted by people who know and love Istanbul.
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Jazz by the Galata Tower
Nardis Jazz Club
Istanbul’s best-known jazz club, a few steps from the Galata Tower.
Galata, BeyoğluExplore View on map
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The Asian side’s bar street
Kadife Sokak (Barlar Sokağı)
Kadıköy’s “bar street”, lined with bars, pubs and music venues, busy every night.
Kadife Sokak, KadıköyExplore View on map
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The city that never sleeps
İstiklal and Asmalımescit after dark
İstiklal Avenue and the lanes of Asmalımescit and Nevizade come alive at night with meyhanes, bars and music.
İstiklal Caddesi, BeyoğluExplore View on map
The full list: Nightlife, A–Z
Neighbourhood
Music, clubs & bars 4
Jazz, concerts, bar streets and Bosphorus clubs.
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Concerts in a former brewery
Babylon Bomonti
One of Istanbul’s main concert venues, in the Bomontiada complex in a former brewery.
Bomontiada, Birahane Sokak, ŞişliExplore View on map
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The Asian side’s bar street
Kadife Sokak (Barlar Sokağı)
Kadıköy’s “bar street”, lined with bars, pubs and music venues, busy every night.
Kadife Sokak, KadıköyExplore View on map
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Jazz by the Galata Tower
Nardis Jazz Club
Istanbul’s best-known jazz club, a few steps from the Galata Tower.
Galata, BeyoğluExplore View on map
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A Bosphorus club, all year
Sortie
A long-established club and restaurant on the water at Kuruçeşme, open all year.
Kuruçeşme, BeşiktaşExplore View on map
Rooftops & late drinks 5
Where the night carries on.
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A 360-degree view
360 Istanbul
A rooftop bar and restaurant on top of a historic building on İstiklal, with views in every direction.
İstiklal Caddesi No:163, BeyoğluExplore View on map
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Kadıköy’s creative bar
Arkaoda
A bar with a garden and a programme of DJs and concerts on Kadife Sokak, Kadıköy’s bar street.
Kadife Sokak No:18, KadıköyExplore View on map
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Cocktails in Tomtom
Flekk
A small cocktail bar in the Tomtom quarter below İstiklal, known for creative drinks.
Yeni Çarşı Caddesi, BeyoğluExplore View on map
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A terrace above Galata
Leb-i Derya
A rooftop bar and restaurant on Kumbaracı Yokuşu, looking over the Bosphorus and the old city.
Kumbaracı Yokuşu No:57, BeyoğluExplore View on map
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Bebek’s favourite meeting place
Lucca
A long-running bar-restaurant on Cevdet Paşa Caddesi in Bebek, busy from lunch until late.
Cevdet Paşa Caddesi No:51/A, Bebek, BeşiktaşExplore View on map
Evenings out 3
Walks and shows.
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The city that never sleeps
İstiklal and Asmalımescit after dark
İstiklal Avenue and the lanes of Asmalımescit and Nevizade come alive at night with meyhanes, bars and music.
İstiklal Caddesi, BeyoğluExplore View on map
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The Bosphorus lit up
Ortaköy by night
The square around the Ortaköy Mosque under the lit-up Bosphorus Bridge, with cafés, kumpir stalls and bars.
Ortaköy Meydanı, BeşiktaşExplore View on map
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Musicals, concerts and shows
Zorlu PSM
A large performing arts centre at Zorlu Center with international musicals, concerts and festivals.
Zorlu Center, Levazım, Koru Sokağı No:2, BeşiktaşExplore View on map
