Lokale in Istanbul

Pre-revolution Havana glamour in Istanbul's upscale Nişantaşı

Glamorous open-air Bosphorus entertainment complex

Electronic music festivals on the Black Sea

Legendary cultural hub and live music venue since 1999

Premier Bosphorus nightclub with fine dining and 2,000 capacity

Michelin & Gault Millau recognized bar-restaurant-club on the Bosphorus

Beyoğlu's serious 400-cap live room, international bookings (Sextile, Hugo Kant), no tribute bands

Intimate nightly jazz, blues and soul off İstiklal

Former antique shop turned speakeasy: billiards, vintage decor, theatrical cocktails

Cihangir garden-club where DJs push funk, disco, chill house past midnight

Beyoğlu's long-running blues dive run by Mehmet the Blues

Fifth-floor Taksim meyhane where Tatavla Keyfi plays rebetiko Fri-Sat

The former Babylon Kilyos, now curated music festival beach.

The Black Sea's original beach-club institution, open June–September.

Faux-supermarket-fronted late room running consistent house and disco edits till 04:00

Zorlu PSM's 120-seat jazz box, live programme, intimate room, cocktails with the set

Quiet oasis in leather armchairs with book-jacket shelves

Four Seasons Bosphorus lounge on one of the best terraces on the water

New York-London inspired resto-lounge with Greek meyhane

Hidden art-deco izakaya in Bebek

Premier afrohouse nightclub on the Kuruçeşme strip

Three-floor Ottoman waterside mansion, a pre-Reina icon still hosting Istanbul's see-and-be-seen crowd

Library-fronted speakeasy, no sign, no social media, referral entry only