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GENERAL INFO:
 

Although they would be open for service at around 22:00 or 23:00 o'clock, almost all gay bars&clubs are busy after midnight and almost all perform loud music; usually Turkish pop; or western pop,  techno or underground music in turns. There are no dark rooms in any of them for action, but usually kissing, hugging etc is well tolerated.
 
Saturday nights are busiest nights everywhere. Friday nights are also busy if not as much. Tuesday or Wednesday would be the busier for mid-week nights usually. Monday would  be the least busy day and mostly upper scale gay-clubs would be closed.

The gay bars and clubs would be more busy in winter season. Because local people also go on holidays to resorts in Southern Turkey, it gets more quiet in July and August and some of them close for a few weeks for renovating their decorations.
 

Most gay bars/clubs in Istanbul would ask for entrance fee on Saturday nights and sometimes on Friday nights, but you can get one "local drink" with your ticket. Gay bars are in fact not very cheap in Istanbul, so do not think that they are overcharging you for being a tourist. The price of one drink ranges approximately between 5-8 Euros for local drinks, 10-15 Euros for "imported drinks" such as Whiskey, Malibu, Safari, some cocktails etc.

The bars would accept Euros or Dollars but would apply lower currency rates than the regular market. Do not take this personal, again, they would do the same to Turkish clients as well, if they try. Few venues would also accept payments with credit cards, but not all. So, have some Turkish lira with you when you go out, to make it easier. 

Typically, there would be a several security guys waiting at the entrance door of each gay bar/club. They look like mafia types, but do not be scared. They are there to stop some unsolicited visitors, definitely not gay tourists. You will be well respected in any gay venue, not only because you have money but because -if not all- majority of Turkish people have a kind of appreciation for western culture, which is something they have been trying to be a part of it for over 200 years.

Security guys (often called body-guards) also take care of the cloakrooms and would insist you to leave your bags, jackets and coats in winter season, for which you will have to pay  usually when you leave. Of course, they will give you a number for the cloakroom.

Useful tips for finding the addresses:
Cad. = Caddesi (read: Jad-de-see) = Main street/avenue
Sok. = Sokak= Side street or smaller street.
Ilkyaz Apt. = Ilkyaz Apartment, name of the building, if there is one.
Kat: 3 = On the 3rd Floor

No:23/4 = Here 23 Refers to the number of the building on that street. It follows as 2,4,6... , on one side, 1,3,5... on the other side of the street. 4 refers to the number of the flat/apartment/floor

Do not get confused with Taksim and Beyoglu districts, when you examine the venue addresses. The official town/county is called Beyoglu (historcal name Pera) Taksim is just the central neighborhood of Beyoglu, at the northern end of the town and Istiklal Caddesi (famous pedestrian avenue). The area starting from Taksim Square all the way down to the Golden Horn (narrow bay locally called Halic "read=Hullich") on the southern-end is all part of Beyoglu town. That is, if the address contains Taksim, the place should be closer to the north of Beyoglu.

The bars and clubs can  be classified in three groups unofficially:

1-MODERN GAY BARS & CLUBS:
These are like any gay bar club that you can see anywhere in Europe, usually patronized by more modern, educated or wealthier people. They are a little more expensive, but they provide better air-condition and have better music system. There can always be a few lesbians in these bars, because there is not any exclusively lesbian bar or club in Turkey yet.
 

OPEN: 16:00 - 02:00
ADDRESS:  Istiklal Caddesi, Balo Sokak No: 31. (2nd floor) Beyoglu, Istanbul.
A homely cafe-pub open from 4 pm till 2 am, but expected to be busier in the early evenings and around midnight. Highly recommended especially for those who avoid to wait for after midnight bars and clubs that plays loud techno/underground music , and do not want to stay up until  late morning. The prices are much cheaper in Chiante than most after midnight clubs. Live Turkish music performance starting around 10 pm on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sundays are very entertaining. Visit their website for more information,  location map and contact information:   See Official Website       Join Chianti's Facebook  Group

 CLUB PRIVE  23:00-04:00
Address: Tarlabasi Caddesi No: 28 Taksim, Istanbul.
Web. http://www.priveclubistanbul.com/
It is very centrally located somewhere across the flower shops at Taksim square. Prive is the oldest of the present gay bars and clubs in Istanbul. It is a small venue usually busy  after midnight by 01:00 am, though the music starts at around 11:00 pm. It normally attracts a mixture of young and middle aged men, as well as gay-friendly/curious straight couples.  The major music is Turkish pop in the club. 

 X-LARGE  23:00-05:00
Address: Mesrutiyet Caddesi (street) Kallavi Sokak (lane) No: 12 Beyoglu, Istanbul.
Web: http://www.xlargeclub.com/
Although the official address indicates Mesrutiyet Caddesi, for tourists it is easier to go to the club from Istiklal Caddesi which is parallel to that street. Kallavi Sokak (lane) is after Galatasaray neigbourhood, somewhere opposing St. Antoine Church along the Istiklal.  Opened in May 2009, X LARGE has become very popular weekend club where you can find the atmosphere of  the big European gay clubs, even better then some. The venue itself is like a small ball room; very spacious and authentic for a gay club, where once there used to be a movie theater (Elhamra) one of the oldest of cinemas in Istanbul. Admission fee is required and higher than most other gay clubs in Istanbul but it is worth well for most people who want to be in a place offering  very professional shows & great music  in an upper scale environment.  Open on Fridays and Saturdays,

Visitor comment about X-Large in Istanbul-Turkey: 'I paid a visit to this place on Aug.15 and it was nice. The mix of people there are very nice and real gay. They mostly go there to enjoy dancing and the shows the dancers put on. On the other hand, a very important point was the level of noise of the music, it was very ok and unlike other clubs where they are ear deafening, though it was exhilirating. The only thing i had against the place was the quality of drinks. It was not up to the western standard, drinks were of cheap quality. But the overall impression was fine and i recommend this place.' (Posted by Azzouz from USA on 20/08/2009

  BARBAHCE   23:00 - 06:00.  Open on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday

Siraselviler Caddesi,  Soganci Sokak, No:7/1, Cihangir - Beyoglu.
Web: http://www.barbahce.com/
Closer to German (Alman) hospital, across from "Taksim Ilk Yardim" public hospital.
Very busy on Saturday nights as all other gay bars and clubs.  Recommended for those who would prefer to meet real gay people instead of rent boys. This is very much like a western gay club, almost with same attitudes, music, decoration etc and provides activities such as shows, dancing as well as concept nights at weekends. You may also see few lesbians.  Please note that anything you drink here whether a bottle of water or beer is priced the same. Export drinks are more expensive as in all other clubs.

 TEK YON  (22:30-05:00)
Address:  Siraselviler Caddesi (street) No 63/1 Taksim/Beyoglu. Istanbul.
Web: http://www.tekyonclub.com/
Already very popular gay club of Istanbul has moved to a new and much bigger place on Siraselviler on May 26th 2009 and has become the talk of the town where everybody is rushing to see.  Unfortunately they raised the prices only on the second week. (beer is 12 Lira, other local drinks are 14 Lira as of 2009). Consequently it is getting less crowded especially during the week. It was once popular venue for local bears, it attracts a completely mixed crowd now.  The waiters are very feminine and friendly in this bar, probably to entertain their loyal clients. Male belly dancer and simple drag shows performed by the bar staff can be fun to see, usually on Tuesday nights after 01:00 am.

 OTHERSIDE   22:00 - 04:00
Address: Istiklal Cad. Zambak Sk. No:2 Kat:5 Taksim,  Istanbul.
Web: http://www.othersideistanbul.com/
Otherside has moved to a new address in September 2009.  In the first few years it was opened Otherside had a more relaxed, cafe & bar atmosphere  busy in the evenings. It has now become a typical loud, after-midnight club especially busy on Friday and Saturday nights. It is located on 5th floor and has a terrace, which is an advantage for the club because smoking is forbidden in bars and clubs in Turkey since mid 2009. On certain nights, you can see Go Go boy, Drag Queen, Rakkas (male belly dancer) shows. The shows are good and very professional but the prices are also over average (local drinks are around 17 Lira). Entrance fee is required on Friday and Saturday nights.  New venue of Otherside has also hosted live music performances of several nation-wide famous pop singers of Turkey.

Comments about this venue:
"I was at Otherside on New Year Eve - great club - great show with dancers and go-go boys and hot men - it has moved to new bigger location and is even more like the best clubs in New York or London (posted on Jan 4, 2010)

 LOVE CLUB   23:30 - 05:00 (Friday-Saturday)
ADDRESS:  Cumhuriyet Caddesi no: 349 Harbiye Istanbul.
Web: http://www.lovedancepoint.com/
This night club is located in Harbiye district, about half an hour walking distance to Taksim Square. It is highly recommended to take a taxi, because the street to the venue is full of transsexual and female prostitutes and not very safe at night. It is a weekend club which lost its popularity after Tekyon moved to a better place and Club X Large opened in 2009, and now there are more straight people than gays.

2-BOY CLUBS.
The bars and clubs listed below are comparatively cheaper places, and they are mainly rent boy hang-outs, although they are literally defined as gay bar/club by their administrations.  They are attended by many bisexual/straight boys or some younger queens 'trying' to make prostitution, so they can be recommended for those who are interested with Istanbul's gay escorts or rent boys.
 

 CLUB MAGMA   23:00-05:00
Address: Istiklal Caddesi, Sadri Alisik Sokak No:15
Web: http://www.club-magma.com
Opened in October 2008, a completely renovated venue located in a basement floor near Istiklal Caddesi on a side-street (Sadri Alisik). It is spacious with respect to average gay clubs in Istanbul.  Decoration and music system is good. The major concept of the club is DJ nights and dance shows. It is welcoming a mixture of gay and straight clients.

Open from 23:00-05:00 (This venue is CLOSED since June 2009)
Address: Istiklal Caddesi Zambak Sok. NO:15 Taksim. 
Queen is a small bar & dancing club with very friendly staff and manager, located very centrally minutes walk from Taksim square. The music is  very good and entertaining. There may be amateur rent-boys in this club also, but are usually selected ones.  For for info visit their website

 DEJA VU  2:00-04:00
Address: Istiklal Caddesi, Sadri Alisik Sokak, No:26, Beyoglu.
Mainly amateur rent boys and hustlers and those who are interested in them. Very loud techno/underground music. The most senior of this kind of clubs.

Visitor Feedbacks:
"No other one buy a drink there but I did. Pay 10 Lira for entrance, 10 Lira for the drink. After 10 minutes - I finished with the first drink the owner came directly and said to me "What do you want?" I said "pardon" Next from the owner "What you want to drink next - first drink is empty" He came very near to me and cried this. So I had to buy a new drink for another 10 Lira - I decided to go quickly after this "conversation"." (Posted on 21/12/2008)

"30 ml. vodka is 25-30 lira. The service is very bad". (Posted by Kiki from Russia on 27/07/2009)
Webmaster's note: When you order Vodka and Gin in gay or straight bars make sure to ask for local Vodka or Gin, otherwise all "imported" drinks are twice the price of local drinks, including Vodka, Gin, Malibu Whiskey etc.

"I have been going there for many years and found it a good gay bar very friendly met some nice guys there, but you have to be careful.. but last year there seems to be more very young boys there bit overpriced lately." (Posted by Ivor from UK on 10/12/2009)

 CLUB 17  : 23:00-05:00
Address: Istiklal Caddesi, Zambak Sokak No:17 (Closer to French Consulate)
Meeting point of mainly cheap young hustlers and escort boys and some gay men who would be interested in them. There are also sevral drag queens and transvestites in the place most of the time. They play loud techno music from their bad music system but it is a busy place usually full of these hustlers. Beware of the boys you pick up from here.

Visitor Feedbacks:
It was a mid week day and they asked me to pay twice the bar price on entrance, which I found out they do this to the tourists only. I was also told that it was not the fault of the managers but the door-men did it secretly, but I am still not sure.  Inside, there were a number of trannies and many hustlers which did not look very honest to me". Date: 21/12/2008

3-MORE LOCAL OR PECULIAR BARS AND CLUBS

 EKOO CLUB  ( 22:00-04:00) (Ex Hans Bar, more busy between 23:30-04:00)
Address: Tarlabasi Bulvari No: 248 Beyoglu. It is on the other side of the Tarlabasi Bulvari (Tarlabasi Avenue) with respect to the nightlife part of the town, across from British Consulate more or less, closer to Euro Plaza Hotel on the same side of the street. The entrance is behind the public bus station at the pavement  below the street  level, but its sign-board is visible from the street.
Do not miss this place if you want to see something more local, a relaxed atmosphere with less attitudes. Mix ages and various types of gay men, bears, bear lovers and few queens as well as gay tourists are regular attendants. Mainly Western dance and  house music as well as some Turkish dance and pop selections.

 DURAK BAR  18:00 - 02:00 (Former Pasam Bar)
Address:  Muratpasa Sokak No 9 AKSARAY.  (Near Yusufpasa tram station, after Aksaray with respect to Sultanahmet)
Durak (former Pasam bar) is the meeting place of middle class bear and older men. It took the place of of senior Degirmen pub which was closed in early 2008, more deliberately targeting to bear and bear lovers with almost same exotic atmosphere of Degirmen Pub. More usy in late evenings.

Feedbacks:
"December 2009: we went to Istanbul for Christmas this year as we enjoyed the city so much earlier this year. A friend had recommended Paşam and we saw from this site it had closed. Nevertheless as Durak it is a wonderful evening out: we went three nights out of five! Quiet on Thursday, packed on Saturday and comfortably busy on Sunday. Great staff, good value beer and excellent music and singers. And hot men! If you're staying in Beyoglu, it's really easy to get to on the tram from Karaköy to Yusufpaşa station: it's a one minute walk to the bar. And a taxi back to Tünel/Asmalimescit costs about 7TL; bit more to Taksim. Highly recommended if you don't want another techno dance club experience - and you want to meet interesting Turkish men (not boys). " (Posted by Nemo from UK on December 29 2009)

 DEGIRMEN BIRAHANESI  CLOSED DOWN
Ths venue was closed recently but we are listing it here because it is still being listed in most gauide books and internet websites (mostly copied from istanbulgay.com)

 SAHRA  CLUB  23:00 - 04:00
ADDRESS: Istiklal Cad. Sadri Alisik Sokak. NO:40 Beyoglu. (Closer to Aga Camii on Istiklal)
Originally a she-male club, but definitely not a typical one in comparison to other ones in Istanbul. Words are not enough to describe this 5 storey bar/club. Packed with a compilation of transvestites, semi-transvestites, male prostitutes, queens but overwhelmingly with hundreds of horny young boys ready to screw anything (call them bi or straight) coming from ghettoes of Istanbul especially on Saturday nights.  Some gay men who like such rough boys would also go here comfortably. Watch your wallet and do not expect to be highly esteemed. It can be really fun to see the place once, because it  must be one of its kind in the world most probably.

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