The best nightclubs of Istanbul are located in Beyoglu, Sisli, Besiktas and Kadikoy (Asian Side) districts. While the most luxurious ones are on the Bosphorus shores, the ones popular among young Istanbulites are in Taksim and Kadikoy.
In this article, you can find the most popular nightclubs, bars and jazz clubs in Istanbul. I listed the places in the article according to their proximity to historical and touristic centers (such as Sultanahmet and Taksim).
Although most of Istanbul’s historical monuments are in the Old City (Sultanahmet and its surroundings), nightlife is almost non-existent in this area. For this reason, those staying in the Old City can go near Galata Tower and Taksim Square to have fun at night.
Beyoglu (Taksim) and Sisli (Nisantasi) districts, close to Istanbul’s business centers and modern five-star hotels, are great for nightlife. You can find the clubs in these areas in the first headings of the article.
On the other hand, Besiktas district is the right address for high-end nightlife on the Bosphorus shore, and places like Sortie, Oligark and Ruby at the end of the article represent these stylish and expensive places.
In addition to all these, if you want to have fun with the young people of Istanbul at a cheap price, you can go to Kadikoy (the Asian Side of Istanbul) mentioned in the last heading. There are great bars here, including Dorock XL (and many more on Kadife Street).
8 Best Nightclubs in Istanbul 2024
The best nightclubs in Istanbul 2024 consists of 8 titles. I update this list several times a year. Although Istanbul’s nightlife declined during the pandemic years, it has recovered since 2023.
Galataport, Istanbul’s new cruise terminal, has brought great dynamism to the city. For this reason, the most popular restaurants and clubs of recent years are located in the Beyoglu, Sisli and Besiktas districts close to here.
1. Babylon
Babylon gained great popularity in a short time after it was opened near the Galata Tower in 1999. The restoration of the brewery in Bomonti (Sisli) for cultural activities created an opportunity for Babylon to grow.
Babylon moved to the new venue in the culture and arts complex named “Bomontiada” in 2015. This gave Babylon the opportunity to organize concerts and events on a larger scale.
As the representative of progressive music in Istanbul, Babylon organizes colorful events with many local and foreign singers, DJs and music bands. For this reason, Babylon is an energetic place that manages to attract the attention of the new generation.
Located in Sisli, surrounded by the city’s major business centers, five-star hotels and shopping malls, Babylon is among the best nightclubs in Istanbul in 2024. You can check Babylon’s Instagram page here and access all the information and images about it.
2. Klein Garten
Klein Garten is a nightclub established in Beyoglu, one of the most popular districts of Istanbul, with the dream of a “sky garden” and is among the rising stars of Istanbul’s nightlife in recent years.
Klein Garten is a place that offers entertainment with a view of the Golden Horn, with a capacity of approximately 1000 people. The venue, where you can have fun listening to house music, also has a menu that offers quality food.
Klein Garten, which is within walking distance of popular tourist centers of Istanbul such as Karakoy, Galata and Taksim, stands out among the best nightclubs of 2024. You can check Klein Garten’s Instagram page here and access all the information and images about it.
It should also be noted that Klein Garten serves food with a restaurant concept between 18:00 and 20:00, and serves as a nightclub from 20:00 to 01:00. Klein is open every day of the week except Monday.
3. Nardis Jazz Club
Nardis Jazz Club is a place where live jazz-centered music is played, in which the motto is “Music should be listened at a club”. Nardis offers a concert like atmosphere while visitors can still enjoy the comfort of a club and listen to some great music by skilled musicians.
The surround system and the acoustics of the space are arranged in a way to make the music sound the clearest and purest way possible. Nardis, which has a capacity of 120 people, also serves delicious snacks to its guests.
Lastly, a singer from abroad performs at least once a month in a local rhythm section and if you don’t want to miss such a concert, you are advised to make an early reservation.
Nardis is one of the best jazz clubs in Istanbul in 2024, with its proximity to Galata Tower, one of Istanbul’s major tourist attractions. You can check Nardis Jazz Club’s Instagram page here and access all the information and images about it.
4. 360 Istanbul
360 Istanbul offers its services in a place with a Bosphorus view, on the top floor of the historical Misir Apartment in the heart of Beyoglu, one of the most central places in Istanbul.
360 is also considered as one of the best restaurants in Istanbul. In fact, it has become one of the restaurants recommended by Michelin in Istanbul in 2022. The restaurant serves dinner between 20:00 and 22:00, but after 22:00 the place turns into a nightclub.
360 is a place located right in the middle of Istiklal Street, which stretches between Taksim Square and Galata Tower, and is one of the best nightclubs of 2024 in Istanbul with its unique location and service quality.
You can check 360 Istanbul’s Instagram page here and access all the information and images about it. Due to the popularity of the venue, it is recommended that you make a reservation before going.
5. Sortie Nightclub
Sortie Nightclub, with its 7 restaurants and 3 bars, is an entertainment complex located on the Bosphorus shore and stands out as the most established venue in Istanbul’s nightlife.
Since its establishment in 2012, Sortie has existed as one of the most luxurious nightclubs in Istanbul and in the past was always in competition with Reina (now closed) as the best in Istanbul.
Sortie now has new generation rivals such as Ruby and Oligark, and it is still the most famous nightclub in Istanbul. You can access Sortie’s webpage here and get the latest information about its location and events.
Finally, Sortie is the best nightclub in Istanbul in 2024 (as in previous years), as a place that closely follows popular music developments in the world and hosts the most popular DJs and music performers.
6. Ruby
Ruby is located in Ortakoy, one of the most beautiful districts on the Bosphorus coast of Istanbul. As one of the most stylish venues in Istanbul’s nightlife, Ruby is among the restaurants recommended by Michelin in Istanbul in 2024.
Ortakoy is one of the most beautiful districts of Istanbul and a place that I constantly recommend among the things to do in Istanbul. The district also hosts excellent hotels such as Ciragan Palace Kempinski and Four Seasons Bosphorus.
You can spend a day walking from Bebek to Ortakoy and take excellent photos along the Bosphorus. You can crown this beautiful day by having fun at Ruby, a wonderful restaurant and nightclub.
Ruby draws attention as a bar and nightclub whose name has risen rapidly in Istanbul’s nightlife in recent years. You can access Ruby’s Instagram page here and learn about its latest activities.
7. Oligark
Oligark is a nightclub with a magnificent Bosphorus view, located in the Kurucesme district between Ortakoy and Bebek, where the most luxurious hotels, restaurants and nightclubs of Istanbul are located.
On Oligark’s Instagram page, you can see how beautiful the place where food and drinks are served and how fascinating the view is. For this reason, Oligark is among the high-end clubs of Istanbul.
Kurucesme district has been the center of nightlife in Istanbul for several decades. In the 2000s, the two most famous clubs here were Sortie and Reina, but now Reina has been replaced by Oligark in the competition.
In conclusion, Oligark is an ideal entertainment destination for those staying in the Besiktas, Ortakoy, Bebek and Sariyer districts of the Bosphorus coast. Here you can have a nice dinner and have fun with various DJ concerts and shows until late hours.
8. Dorock XL
Dorock XL is a great place for those who want to meet Turkish pop, rock and alternative music. Located in Kadikoy, the most popular district on the Asian side of Istanbul for tourists, Dorock XL hosts different local music bands on its stage almost every day.
I actually added this nightclub to the list symbolically. There are many clubs, pubs and rock bars in Kadikoy, where Istanbul’s nightlife has developed most rapidly, and among them, Dorock XL is the most centrally located and has the largest space.
But of course, the nightlife in Kadikoy, which is preferred especially by young adults to have fun in Istanbul, is not limited to this. Especially as you approach the “Moda” area of Kadikoy, you can find many new generation entertainment venues.
The best bars in Kadikoy are mostly located on Kadife Street. Clubs, pubs and wine bars such as Buddha, Karga, Teachers Pub, Arka Oda and Lal Cafe Bar can be found on this street. Everyone can find an entertainment venue that appeals to them here.
If you want to listen to a Turkish singer during your stay in Istanbul, you can buy a ticket for one of the concerts at Dorock XL. You can access Dorock XL’s Instagram page here and check the latest events.
Conclusion
There is a very lively nightlife in the touristic areas of Istanbul other than the Old City. In this list, I have introduced places such as Galata, Taksim, Sisli, Besiktas (Ortakoy and Kurucesme) and Kadikoy (Asian Side), where the best nightclubs of Istanbul are located.
I did not give enough information about the exact locations of the jazz bars and nightclubs in the article, but you can easily find them from the links I shared. Instead, I tried to introduce you to the neighborhoods where these places are located.
You can review the first four headings to find the best nightclubs in Taksim, and the second half of the article to find the best clubs on the Bosphorus shores. On the other hand, the best clubs in Kadikoy (on the Asian Side) are at the end.
Of course, there are many small bars and pubs in Istanbul other than the clubs we introduce here. You can find these relatively cheaper places in the side streets branching from Istiklal Street and in the “Moda” area of Kadikoy.
Best Nightclubs in Istanbul for 2024 by Serhat Engul
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