Fun and entertainment Turkey

After a visit to the Eyüp Mosque, do not miss this place, much appreciated by the famous writer, for its view of the Golden Horn from the terrace, and its magnificent interiors. Many people, especially on weekends, the best time is the sunset. No food, but a cold drink, tea or Turkish coffee are welcome. The place has obviously become very touristy and prices are affected, but the magic of the landscape makes you forget everything!

While in Istanbul, you absolutely must attend a ceremony, a real one, of whirling dervishes. Traditional Ottoman and Anatolian dance performances are also offered. The performances take place in a 550-year-old hammam. Flashes are prohibited and of course, silence is required. Drinks and loukoums are free. If you are interested in attending one of these ceremonies, this is the place to go and nowhere else. The best address in the city in the purest tradition.

Located in the shade of a small square, between an old church and the pedestrian street, the Star Bar is the ideal place to drink a fresh juice, a cold beer or a delicious cocktail at the end of the day. A few white wooden tables make up the welcoming terrace, leaning against the stone wall of the church. Turkish specialties are on the menu. It is affordable, the atmosphere is friendly and the service is impeccable. The evening can continue until late at night inside where live music is played (be careful, sometimes the sound is loud).

Open for more than thirty years, Mr. Salim's café is frequented mainly by students and regulars of the neighbourhood. You can sit quietly to smoke a hookah and drink Turkish tea or coffee. In the early morning, people from the neighbourhood buy a simit (sesame bread) and come here to enjoy it with a hot drink. Rug dealers are also installed but no harassment is practiced, on the contrary, it gives a colorful and very pleasant touch to the decor. Somewhere quiet and peaceful.

A dizzy person could easily miss the entrance. Beneath the minarets of Sainte-Sophie, nestled in an old 16th century Koranic school (medrese), the Caferağa, the work of Master Sinan (bust inside), is more than just a tea garden: an art school with shops and exhibitions. Turkish tea, herbal tea or coffee can be taken in the courtyard, where a kind of sarcophagus is enthroned (it would actually be an antique fridge!). The place is really worth the detour, but the staff is not very welcoming and one waits a long time before being served.

Gigantic nightclub that can accommodate 5,000 clubbers dancing in the open air until the end of the night. The Halikarnas Club is an institution in Turkey whose reputation has crossed the borders. International DJs at the turntables, and go-go dancers evolving on the stage, dressed in laser beams. In a vast decor of ancient colonnades, overlooking the bay, techno on the terraces, chill music inside with small lounges with comfortable sofas. You can choose the atmosphere of your night. And what is certain is that it will be memorable.

Known as the Cat Café, this charming and nostalgic place is one of the first trendy cafés to be established in the popular and picturesque Balat district. After it, many others of the same style have made their way around, but Naftalin K remains the darling. There's not a huge selection but you'll find plenty of snacks and everything is vegetarian: toast, omelets, grape leaves, tost (croque-monsieur with tomato and cheese). Besides the classic Turkish coffee, flavored coffees are offered (cinnamon, cardamom...).

To get there, just leave Sainte-Sophie on the left, walk a hundred meters, and there, below, is a perfect place to smoke a hookah. The waiters are rather funny, one of them invariably comes out with the same joke: "My name is Al Pacino ! " (and there is some truth to it). Every evening, whirling dervishes dance, it is then advisable to stop playing tavla at that time (from 8pm to 10pm). You can also eat there, but the food is rather expensive, without the quality being there.

As its name indicates, you come to the Karaoke to sing. You can choose to exercise your talents in the main room or in one of the private rooms that you will be looking for beforehand (16, 40 and 100 people). Kitsch, retro or fun, it's discussed, but karaoke likes if the ingredients are gathered, which is the case here (the Dj also passes pieces on demand between two singers).

Much nicer to drink a drink than to eat, it is on two floors, Greek style. Music is often French (very popular in Turkey). Chimneys on each floor make the place particularly pleasant in winter. Even spirit, right next door, at the Mosaik Café, a little cheaper perhaps.

A concert room located underneath the Blanco Teras. A good alternative to Babylon: local and international artists (see their site for programming). Some concerts on the ground floor also. They manufacture their beer and the room was built around the drums. Very good atmosphere. Rather lively in winter.

The name is somewhat misleading because there is no terrace... Obviously the atmosphere like all the same, and for this reason all roads and styles of music are offered, but with a preference for electronics, live concerts (local and international groups), guest DJS, evenings.

This is the bar where you have to be seen, so you have to go out…

The Word Bar plays on the Etiler model of Istanbul, the chic select.

This is one of the nicest beach bars in the bay, run by two very cool brothers. Sit on one of the deck chairs facing the beach and order one of the delicious cocktails of the house. You will enjoy a sublime view of the Saint-Pierre castle. At sunset, with the lapping of the waves and a good sound, one has rarely had a better time. During the day you can take a dip in the crystal clear waters, the sea is about 3 meters away. Young and trendy service. Possibility to eat on the spot. Beach bar of competition!

This bar overlooking the street, but also having a beautiful terrace on the ^3rd floor of this charming building of Beşiktaş, is the one in vogue in Istanbul today. You will find a relaxed preppy atmosphere. Always difficult to find a place, but their homemade cocktails, each one more original than the next, are worth it! The Stambouliotes come here for an afterwork and on weekends this place is even more crowded. For those who are a bit hungry, you will find mini-burgers, sandwiches and salads.

ANY opened in 2014 and quickly became a popular neighbourhood restaurant and bar along the popular avenue of Arnavutköy's seafood restaurants. The interior design remained faithful to the traditional elements of the building, keeping the high ceilings and stained glass above the doors, while adding leather armchairs and round marble tables. The menu offers international dishes, wraps and hamburgers, pasta, pizzas, a good selection of healthy salads and of course grilled meat and fish.