Best Districts to Have a Drink in Istanbul

Gokce Nacar

Nov 03 747 read

Best Districts to Have a Drink in Istanbul

What do you do when the sun sets in Istanbul and you're thirsty? The good news is that Istanbul comes alive at night, with a plethora of drinking establishments and clubs. When it comes to nightlife in Istanbul, there are several neighborhoods with numerous hip bars to visit in the evening, as well as a variety of styles and atmospheres, as in all big cities across the globe. On weekdays, when people leave their jobs, most pubs are full with locals celebrating, but on weekends, they are packed with tourists. We opted to divide our article into zones rather than bars to provide you a more varied selection that will appeal to a broad range of preferences. This is the definitive guide to making sure you don't get bored in Istanbul at night.

Of course, you will encounter hundreds of bars that are not on our list throughout your trip in Istanbul, but the list of locations given below will assist you in making the most of your time there. A word of advice: don't be afraid to go over there, even though it seems to be a long distance from Istanbul's temples and tourist attractions; you'll find a whole other Istanbul where life is pleasant!

Beyoglu

The region between Taksim Square and Galata, as well as Istiklal Street, is known as Beyoglu. Until three years ago, it was the core of Istanbul's nightlife, until the mayor made a series of terrible choices that pushed numerous pubs and music venues to migrate to other locations. However, there are hundreds of wonderful addresses in the region; there are inexpensive restaurants, cafés, and pubs, all of which are fantastic locations to have a drink and learn about Turkish wine culture. When it comes to nightlife in Istanbul, Beyoglu is definitely one of the first spots you'll hear about. You’ll also find many museums in this district!

Kadikoy

Kadikoy is a big area on Istanbul's Asian side, where people are pleasant and living is uncomplicated. This is a highly secular middle-class area that is well worth a visit, especially given its distance from the tourist attractions! The simplest alternative is to board the boat early in the evening and then return later by bus or train. The 360 East, a rooftop on the pier with a fantastic view of the city, and Karga, a rock bar that initially opened in 1996, are just two of the many pubs in the area. Kadikoy is a famous place in Istanbul, so be sure to check it out if you're out late at night.

Nisantasi

Nisantasi is a western-style neighborhood in one of Istanbul's most desirable locations. It used to be the home of Turkish philosophers like Orhan Pamuk, but today it's separated into two sections: one for fashion and luxury items, and the other for more informal living, where vegetarianism and bars are the norm. One of the places we would suggest is the Kozmonot, a pub with hundreds of different beers and great beverages. It's a favorite hangout location for the locals. Nisantasi's high-end bars and luxary brand stores may be visited while in Istanbul. Nisantasi is also one of the greatest places to reside in terms of safety and prestige.

Cihangir

Many musicians, hispters, and foreigners live in this area, which is near to Taksim Square. There are no trendy boutiques or huge chains here, but there are lots of little businesses, coffee shops, concept bars, and traditional eateries. The style is more easygoing, and the setting is less metropolitan and stylish. It is a must-see for your Istanbul tour. The Geyik, which is the Cihangir hipsters' hangout and offers a nurturing and relaxing atmosphere, and the Smyrna, which is set out like a Parisian troquet and is frequented by musicians, expatriates, poets, and journalists, are just two of the many entertaining places to go for a drink. Some of Istanbul's best electronic music clubs may be found at the bottom of a corridor.