Must-see nightlife in Türkiye

  • Tek Yön

    Beyoğlu

    This sleek premises features the city's largest gay dance floor as well as a garden popular with smokers and cruisers. The core clientele is hirsute and…

  • Ağlayan Ağaç Çay Bahçesi

    Black Sea Coast

    The whimsically named 'Weeping Tree Tea Garden' is less a garden than a series of clifftop bench seats at the northern tip of Boztepe, but it's ideal for…

  • Paul's Place

    Antalya

    The good word comes in a cup at this informal cafe in the St Paul Cultural Center. Regardless of your faith, you'll enjoy an espresso or cortado coffee …

  • arthere

    Kadıköy

    Run by an artist collective, this hybrid cafe, art gallery and performance space is dedicated to artistic creation and hosts arty happenings, including…

  • Köşe Kahve

    Alaçatı

    Popular 'Coffee Corner' is known for its cocktails, desserts and – of course – coffee (espresso, French press and Turkish). There's indoor and outdoor…

  • Cafe Yıldız

    Cappadocia

    This modest cafe, on Uçhisar's main square, has shaded terrace seating and chatty staff. It's a good spot for a çay or cold drink stop, though there's no…

  • Bayramefendi Osmanlı Kahvecisi

    Çanakkale

    This colourful, wood-lined cafe is a homage to coffee prepared many ways. Try to secure an outside table for ocean breezes along the kordon – and look for…

  • Cihangirzade Cafe

    Kars

    This roomy cafe occupies a 19th-century mansion once home to the regional governor. There's a decent espresso machine but most of the clientele seem happy…

  • Club Bellona

    Alanya

    One of Alanya's most popular clubs gets packed with a fun, young and up-for-it crowd of both local and holidaying revellers. There's usually a different…

  • Friendly Corner

    Çeşme

    This self-proclaimed amicable hang-out must be just that as it attracts both locals and members of the wafer-thin community of expats. Münür, owner-chef…

  • Latika Cafe

    Dalyan

    This self-described boutique cafe looks ready for a garden party with its stripy cane-backed chairs. With cocktails from mojitos to Manhattans and a long…

  • Şakir'in Yeri

    Çanakkale

    Dominating the cafe action at the southern end of the kordon, Şakir'in Yeri is as popular for breakfast – the pastries are delicious – as it is for…

  • Joy Club

    Marmaris

    Big hitter Joy Club is shiny and sinful with three large bars. It scores big time for sheer loose behaviour. Expect mainstream party sounds. Entry free…

  • Car Cemetery

    Fethiye

    With bumpers protruding above its doors, this wacky, car-themed British boozer-cum-club stages live music at weekends when its popularity with locals and…

  • Zıkkım Birahanesi

    İzmir & the North Aegean

    With shady garden seating just off the main road, this cool beer garden makes a welcome midtown pit stop. It's one of three dishevelled birahanesi (beer…

  • Chilin' Pub

    Black Sea Coast

    The bar itself is just a mustard-yellow box but there is accoustic live music at 9pm daily and seating that spills out onto the harbourside, so you can…

  • Deniz Kafe

    Fethiye

    This little cafe-bar has tables nudging the boats at Karagözler 2 marina and even one or two on a small wooden platform over the water. It's a great place…

  • Lime

    Kalkan

    This garden bar-restaurant is the watering hole of choice for expats to mourn the old country over cocktails, pizza, pool or table football. Check…

  • Blue Lounge Bar

    Göcek

    Facing the Med, this relaxed bar is great for a sundowner after a day on the sea. Happy hour (5pm to 7pm) offers two-for-one cocktails, and the margaritas…

  • Abbabar Bar

    Mardin

    Either retire to the expansive terrace for views, or grab an indoor table and a cold beer and wait for the live music to kick off – from Wednesday to…

  • Black & Gold

    Kalkan

    Stylish black-and-white bar, offering a long list of cocktails, from classics to Kalkan Skies (Bacardi with lemon and pineapple juice), tapas and snacks …

  • Jackson’s

    İzmir

    One of the most popular clubs in Alsancak, Jackson’s is housed in what was once the British consul’s residence. It has an in-house DJ, a small dance floor…

  • Lodos

    Çanakkale

    This thumping club at the northern end of the kordon spins Turkish pop for its party-focused patrons and offers drink deals for early-birds. Check its…

  • Barış Türkü Evi

    Kars

    Housed in a historic mansion, this unthreatening cafe-bar serves beer (from ₺20) and attracts a younger crowd for the live Turkish/Caucasian/Kurdish music…

  • Tarihi Şems Konaǧı

    Konya

    This nargile (water pipe) cafe is a popular evening haunt. It's best in summer when you can relax outside with your çay and nargile after a long day…

  • Artemis Restaurant & Şarapevi

    South Aegean

    At the village entrance, you can taste Şirince wines in the huge erstwhile Greek schoolhouse, with great views from the outside terrace and courtyard…

  • Cafe Corner

    Kaş

    This well-positioned cafe-bar has a nice relaxed atmosphere. Watch the world pass from the tables on the pedestrianised street, with a decent snacks and…

  • Paticafe

    Trabzon

    Though predominantly a cafe, this relaxed place also serves Efes beers (₺20). It's on the top floor of the Galeria Iş Merkezi shopping arcade, with open…

  • Şampiyon Vitamin

    Şanlıurfa

    Recharge at this juice bar on the edge of the bazaar. We find the zingy greyfurt suyu (grapefruit juice) especially refreshing.

  • Hideaway Bar & Cafe

    Kaş

    Garden cafe and bar, accessed by a nondescript doorway on the main square, and a relaxed spot for evening drinks. Only a stone's throw from the hustle and…

  • Körfez

    Bodrum Town

    This unpretentious old favourite with its face to the sea and back to town plays rock music, with alleyway seating and friendly staff. Happy-hour deals…

  • Mehmet's Bar

    Side

    This ever-popular spot opposite the beach might be better suited to a tropical island than a Turkish promontory. It boasts it serves the best mojitos in…

  • Kiss Bar

    Side

    Grab an comfy chair at this neon-lit corner bar on a small square just off the beach promenade. Cocktails are relatively well-priced considering the…

  • Angel Café Bistro

    Ürgüp

    After dark, Ürgüp's bright young things lounge around on the sofas out the front as hip-hop blasts from the stereo. There's often live music from 8pm.

  • Altin Kupa

    Şanlıurfa

    This pub and beer garden is a haven from the Anatolian heat. It's too blokey for single female travellers, but we've seen local couples together here.

  • Asmaltı

    Kaş

    With its wooden decks right on on the water, this bar 'under the grape tree' is a top spot for a sunset beer (₺18) or a cocktail with Meis views.

  • Aile Çay Bahçesi

    İzmir & the North Aegean

    For a coffee or Coke on the main square in the upper village, this place has a pleasant shaded terrace offering attractive views and good company.

  • Piano Jazz Bar

    Datça & Bozburun Peninsulas

    Jazz bands and pianists perform every night in summer (10pm to 1am) in this blue-and-white 'dive bar' (their words, not ours) on the waterfront.

  • Club Areena

    Marmaris

    At the eastern end of Bar St and towards the water, Club Areena is a large open-air nightclub with bars, terraces and nightly foam parties.

  • Lavazza Best Coffee Shop

    Kadıköy

    This Kadıköy branch of the popular coffee chain is conveniently located between the iskele (ferry dock) and the produce market.

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