Exploring Istanbuls Best Bars and Nightlife in Beyoğlu, Karaköy, and Şişli: A Guide to the Citys Hottest Spots

Istanbul, a city with a population exceeding 15 million, is a 24/7 hub of activity. On Friday and Saturday evenings, half of the city's population flocks to Beyoğlu and its neighboring districts in search of a good time. From rooftop bars with hip vibes and indie clubs to jazz cafés in basements and rock bars with a grungy edge, as well as traditional Turkish folk venues and ultra-cool dance clubs, this area is the heart and soul of Istanbul's nightlife. For an adventurous twist, take a trans-continental ferry to the Asian suburbs of Kadıköy and adjoining Moda, the latest hotspot in this pulsating city for hanging out and 'seeing and being seen.' To help you plan your nightlife adventures in Istanbul, we've compiled a list of some of the best bars and venues in various areas of the city.

• Geyik: This unusual café and cocktail bar in the backstreets of the buzzing Cihangir district in Beyoğlu is popular for its specialty in-house roast coffee as well as its excellent range of cocktails. The compact but stylish interior is invitingly cozy, with a reputation for its whisky sour and mulled wine.
• Finn: Other bars in the once up-and-coming but now firmly established waterfront district of Karaköy have come and gone, but Finn has lasted the course. Its specialty is cocktails made using its own syrup and herbal concoctions, expertly mixed at a long, sleek, and atmospherically lit bar.

Beyoğlu

• Balkon: This roof-top bar cum restaurant, located high above the hubbub of busy Asmalımescit Street, attracts an eclectic mix of locals and visitors drawn in by its relaxed vibes, reasonably priced drinks, and international/Turkish food. The menu mixes international and Turkish dishes, with live music most evenings.
• Limonlu Bahçe: This citrus-tree shaded courtyard is found behind a row of nineteenth-century apartments just below the crowd-choked thoroughfare of Istiklal Caddesi. It's a great place to escape the hustle and bustle of the area with cocktails, beer (including Leffe and Guinness), and a reasonable Turkish-international menu.
• 360: This chic rooftop bar cum restaurant on pulsating Istiklal Cad (Independence Street) is located atop a beautiful, Parisian-style nineteenth century apartment block. The menu mixes international and Turkish dishes, with live music most evenings. Reserve well in advance if you want one of the outside terrace tables on a summer's evening.
• Büyük Londra Hotel Bar: The ground-floor lobby bar of this gloriously unchanged fin-de-siècle hotel conjures up the spirit of the era when Istanbul (or rather Constantinople) was the destination of passengers on the Orient Express – not least amongst them Agatha Christie and Ernest Hemingway. If you’re here in summer, head up to the hotel’s splendid rooftop bar with fine views down to the Golden Horn and across to the old city.
• Atatürk Cultural Centre (AKM): Serving as an opera house, classical music venue, theatre, cinema, and exhibition space, this multi-function complex is an impressive piece of architecture. The main building pays homage to the original 1946 modernist AKM which once stood on the site. The accomplished Istanbul State Opera and ballet perform shows here regularly, with more distinctly Turkish shows almost as popular.