The heart of Istanbul’s colorful nightlife beats in Beyoglu, Sisli, Besiktas and Kadikoy districts. The best nightclubs in Istanbul are also located in these areas.
Istanbul’s stylish nightclubs also stand out with their higher prices compared to regular bars and pubs. However, in a city like Istanbul, it is possible to say that there is entertainment for everyone.
Even though the nightlife in Istanbul has been hit by the Covid-19 outbreak, you will want to go somewhere to have fun when everything returns to normal. In this article, you can find information about the most popular nightclubs in Istanbul.
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10 Best Nightclubs in Istanbul 2022
There are 10 titles in the list of the best night clubs in Istanbul. While talking about Istanbul’s nightlife, we wanted to divide the subject into two. The first article we wrote on this subject was the best bars in Istanbul, which included relatively cheap places.
In the article about nightclubs in Istanbul, we mostly focused on entertainment venues with Bosphorus view or close to the touristic centers of the city. Most of the luxury nightclubs on the list are located on the European side of Istanbul.
1. Sortie Club
Alongside a great Istanbul view, you can enjoy Sortie Club, which is composed of 7 restaurants and 3 bars, in Kurucesme (nearby Ortakoy). It’s where people meet for good food, good music, and good entertainment.
Sortie, founded in 2012, stands out as a point where people meet on a 3500 square meter area. In summer months, its 7 restaurants offer the best examples of the world kitchen while Sortie Restaurant serves its guests in winter months.
Sortie Club always catches the latest entertainment trends in the world and offers great fun all year long. Sortie Club houses various activities enlivened by guest artists and the most popular contemporary music, which makes it one of the best nightlife places in Istanbul.
2. Banlieue 6080
The suburb of Istanbul, Banlieue 6080 was opened where a summer place, Cahide ONS in Macka used to stand. The garden of Banlieue, a popular place for the nightlife in Istanbul, is decorated with high walls made of bamboo sticks that are covered in liquid gold, golden tables and chairs, serves as “Banlieue Gold”. The original decoration is in Harbiye with its “gold concept” food presentation.
3. 360 Istanbul
360Istanbul is located upstairs of Historical Misir Apartment, which has been awarded internationally in numerous departments thanks to its atmosphere and rich menu.
In 360Istanbul, you can enjoy different cocktails and music while you can watch a mesmerizing Istanbul view, which makes 360Istanbul an important place for the nightlife in Istanbul.
360Istanbul has another branch in Izmir that brings famous artists and DJs from abroad for its visitors. The place turns into a nightclub after 22:00 with its live shows on weekends.
4. Cahide Cabaret
Cahide Harikalar Diyari welcomes visitors with its new concept under the name “Cahide Muzikhol” after it proved to be successful in the entertainment sector. Cahide Cabaret is at Harbiye in Sisli. You should note that you need to make a reservation in advance.
Cahide Cabaret offers a fixed menu and you can find such classical Turkish delicacies as fresh appetizers, home-made dishes, and shish kebab.
Cahide is one of the few representatives of ‘drag queen’ culture with its sublime performances. Cahide Muzikhol is composed of two sections and it was opened where an old nightclub named Kervansaray used to operate. The second floor of the place is a modern mixture of a club and cabaret.
5. 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 Jazz Club 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 can hold up to 120 people, offer fingerfood plates, steak and chicken served with various types of sauce, spaghetti with a unique sauce, and salads in its rich menu.
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.
Galataport, the Istanbul Cruise Port, is very close to this nightclub. Nardiz Jazz Club, right next to the Galata Tower, is among the best nightclubs in Istanbul in 2022.
6. Frame Nisantasi
Frame Nisantasi has been inside Macka Democracy Park since 2009 and it offers entertainment while you enjoy an Istanbul view. At Frame Nisantasi, visitors can expect a different kind of entertainment every day.
On Tuesdays, special live performances are performed while special parties take place on Wednesdays and you can expect percussion and trumpet show on weekends at Frame Nisantasi. It’s also the place that brings the best DJs in Istanbul to its guests.
7. Klein
Klein opens at 23:00 on Fridays and Saturdays and it’s at a walking distance to Taksim Square. Klein was opened where a movie theater operated in the 1970s. Klein is open until 4:00 a.m. in the morning where you can enjoy international DJs that play electro and techno music while you can also try special cocktails.
8. Sess Nisantasi
Sess Nisantasi has always served its guests in the same place and at the same high quality, but you should note that beer or raki is not served at this place.
Sess opens at 22:00 but you can enjoy it until 03:00 in the morning. Apart from the hall at the entrance, you can also stay in a private room downstairs. And you are advised to make a reservation in advance to find a place at Sess Nisantasi if you want to go there on weekends.
9. Jungle 8
Jungle 8, located in Levent, boasts a “Wild Forest” theme design and you can enjoy its music by famous DJs on Friday and Saturday nights. Moreover, a world-famous DJ also performs once a month at Jungle 8.
The place opens at 23:00 and it closes at 04:30 in the morning.
10. Nayah Kadikoy
Nayah Kadikoy, which has been the meeting place of reggae lovers in Istanbul for 15 years, has been in Kadikoy since 2016. Opened in Beyoğlu in the 2000s, Nayah meets reggae lovers on Kirtasiyeci Sokak, Kadikoy’s street that hosts bars and taverns.
Nayah Kadikoy, which hosts live performances in a 400-seat venue, hosts reggae stars in Turkey such as Sattas, Ras Memo, Da Frogg, Selekta Genjah, Selekta Firuzaga.
Best Nightclubs in Istanbul by Serhat Engul
Dear Serhat,
We are two Iranian couples living in USA. We are visiting Istanbul from September 2 to September 9. We are interested in live Turkish artist singers and specifically I love to see Sezen Aksu if possible. Please give us some information and understanding. Appreciate your assistance.
Dear Nossi, I don’t think Sezen Aksu regularly performs at a club. She has concerts several times a year. You can check out the latest events from this ticketmaster company here.