7 Places for a Unique Night Out in Istanbul
Even though Taksim has lost its former notoriety as Istanbul’s heart of the nightlife scene, other areas in the city continue to thrive on the late-night crowds. From rowdy meyhane nights to more relaxed evenings with a glass of wine, here are some great places to experience Istanbul at night.
Arnavutköy
After the demise of Taksim, the neighborhood of Arnavutköy has become one of the most popular destinations for nightlife in Istanbul. The upscale Bosphorus neighborhood, known for its Ottoman-era mansions and its many fish restaurants by the sea, saw a boom of bar openings which brought in the young crowds who fill up every venue (and even the streets) on the weekends. Some of the best places to hang out in Arnavutköy include Alexandra, Luzia, and ANY, which feature DJs, delicious cocktails, and lots of fun crowds.
Alexandra, Arnavutköy Mahallesi, Bebek Arnavutköy Cd No:50, 34345 Beşiktaş, Istanbul, Turkey, +90 212 287 58 48
Luzia, Arnavutköy Mahallesi, Bebek Arnavutköy Cd No:64, 34345 Beşiktaş, Istanbul, Turkey, +90 530 076 28 62
ANY, Arnavutköy Mahallesi, Bebek Arnavutköy Cd No:71, 34345 Beşiktaş, Istanbul, Turkey, +90 212 265 32 69
1. Bomontiada
Bar, Restaurant, Pub Grub
Kadife Sokak
Not a lot of visitors venture to the Asian side, but the Kadıköy neighborhood does have one of Istanbul’s most infamous bar streets. Kadife Sokak (Velvet Street) is always crowded on the weekends with people walking to and fro from bars and getting a late-night snack at one of the many büfe (Turkish fast food joints). The most popular bars on this street include Arkaoda (featuring a small back garden and some of the city’s best live music) and Karga Bar (a more relaxed spot to have a few beers and listen to some music).
Arkaoda, Caferağa Mahallesi, Kadife Sok. No:18 D:1, 34710 Kadıköy, Istanbul, Turkey, +90 216 418 02 77
2. Nardis Jazz Club
Bar, Nightclub, Turkish, Pub Grub
3. Solera Winery
Winery