Majority of the
gay bars & clubs in Istanbul are catering after midnight.
Although they open their doors by 22:00-23:00 o'clock, the
action does not start before midnight. (Click
here to see pre-club bars).
Without exception, the music is loud in all of these
after-midnight clubs; playing a mixture of Turkish pop,
western pop, techno and 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 and Wednesday nights would be busier in
comparison to the other mid-week nights, but this also
depends on special events organized in each venue. Mondays
would be the least busy night of the week when some trendy
gay-clubs would be closed completely. The gay bars and clubs
would also be busier in winter than summer season. Local
people living in Istanbul go on summer holidays to resorts
in Southern Turkey. Consequently, Istanbul's gay night life
becomes more quiet especially in July and August when some
venues may close their doors for a few weeks for renovation
and restoration.
Most gay bars/clubs in Istanbul
require entrance fee on Saturday nights and sometimes on
Friday nights, but you can get one "local drink" with your
ticket. Actually, the gay bars are not very cheap in
Istanbul. So, do not think that they are overcharging you
because you are 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, cocktails etc.)
The bars would accept Euros or Dollars for payment but they
apply lower currency rates. Do not take this personal again,
because they do the same to Turkish clients as well, if they
try. Some venues would accept payments with credit cards,
but not all. So, have some Turkish liras on you when you go
out, to make it easier.
Typically, there are several security guys waiting at the
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 the Turkish people have
a kind of appreciation for western people/culture. 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.
2012
Istanbul Pride March
You will see the almost all gay bars and clubs are located
in Taksim/Beyoglu.
Do not get confused with Taksim and Beyoglu districts, when
you see the venue addresses. The official municipality is
called Beyoglu (historical Pera district) Taksim is just the
central neighborhood of Beyoglu, at the northern end of the
town and Istiklal Caddesi (very famous pedestrian avenue). The
area starting from Taksim Square all the way down to the
Golden Horn (narrow estuary/bay locally named Halic "read=Hullich")
on the southern-end are all within Beyoglu municipality
borders. That is, if
the address contains Taksim, the place should be closer to
the north of Beyoglu.
Useful tips for finding the addresses:
Cad. = Caddesi (read: Jad-de-see) = Main street/avenue
Sok. = Sokak= Side street or small
lane/alley.
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
Click here for Update Gay Map of Istanbul
Click
here to see other pre-club gay bars, cafe-shops and
other & gay-friendly day time venues
Gay Night Clubs in
Istanbul.
Tekyon Club (22:30-05:00) Address: Siraselviler Caddesi (street)
No: 63/1 Taksim/Beyoglu. Istanbul.
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. The prices are average The venue is very big for the
capacity of gay nightlife in Istanbul and consequently it is getting less crowded
especially during the week-in days but it is almost always
very very busy on Friday and Saturday nights, including its
big back-garden which is a chance for smokers. It was once popular venue
especially for
local bears, but 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, and there are
various show on weekend nights including a go-go show
(sometimes even a bear version of it).
Tekyon is
very flexible with cover charges and cloakroom rituals
compared to other gay clubs in Taksim.
Visitor comments about this venue
"We were there on a Friday &
Saturday night in early September, 2011 and had a great time
both nights. No cover charge. Drinks were reasonably priced.
The place got full both nights around 1. The music was
mostly pop and Turkish pop unfortunately with only one or
two house tracks. Big dance floor. Large outdoor
terrace/smoking area. Fun people - including many tourists
from Italy and the Middle East. All ages, shapes and sizes
of men but definitely a lot of facial hair. Friday night,
there was a bear dance show - a large local hairy guy who
had a lot of fun on the stage. Saturday night there was a
gay belly dance show for about 15 minutes. Definitely fun.
Safe. I would go back in a heartbeat." (Posted by Matsumura
on September 10th 2011)
"I've been in Istanbul in
September 2011, and had to visit some venues advertises in
some guide websites. For me the best clean place was
definitely the club Tekyon, because the staff is very
friendly starting by it's manager. They really care about
you when you are foreigner. The cheeky bar, is also
convenient for the after nights time, but you will find out
mostly escort boys and not from the best quality. Tekyon is
definitely the best place with a very good Dj and a mix of
different kind of peoples" (Posted by Marc from France
on September 23rd 2011)
X-Large 23:00-05:00
Show time in Club X Large
Address: Mesrutiyet Caddesi,
Kallavi Sokak,
No: 12 Beyoglu, Istanbul.
Open on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights.
Although the official address indicates Mesrutiyet Caddesi
(street),
it is easier to go to the club from Istiklal
Caddesi which is parallel to that street. Kallavi Sokak
is a narrow lane connecting to Istiklal on your right after Galatasaray
neighborhood, somewhere opposing
St. Antoine Church. 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 than 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 opened 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.
Visitor comments about this venue
"went to X Large Club on Saturday night. nice crowd. the
show was amazing, especially the hot hot male dancers on
stage. worth the cover charge" (Posted by Rayan from
Napal June 26 2011)
"I went to X large twice in the week, it was empty on
Wednesday night till almost 2 a.m when I left, on Saturday
night when I went there I paid a hefty entrance of 30 lira,
but the place was filled with straight people, I could not
see any gay people around, I don't know why this club is
even considered gay. there were drag shows on stage but that
was all to it. I tried Tekyon on Friday night & it had all
the local gay guys." (Posted by Aaron from India on 07/02/2011)
"I think Club XL with his extraordinary architecture ( that
was an old cinema), and Other Side with his spectacular
Taksim view terrace are advisable best two Gay and Lesbian
Bars in Istanbul. Tekyon is also biggest and most famous
bar. After the others bars mostly gay people often prefer to
go Tekyon about 3am" (Posted by Gianni from Italy on
20/09/2010)
"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)
Zuppe Club (22:00 - 05:00)
Address: Istiklal Cad.
Zambak Sokak No:2 Kat:5 Taksim, Istanbul
It was first opened as Club
OtherSide,
and then named Penthouse. It has changed its name once
again in late 2012, but almost everything else is the same. It
is a popular after-midnight & weekend 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 various 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
the club has hosted live music performances of several
nation-wide famous pop singers of Turkey.
This night
club is located in Harbiye district, on the main avenue
about 15-20 minutes walking distance to Taksim Square. It is
better to take a texi after midnight. An honest taxi ride
should cost round 5 lira (2-3 Euros). It is open on Friday
and Saturday nights. Saturday is the most busy night and
there are some good shows usually. They are rigid about the
admission fee on Saturday nights. The tickets are around
10-15 Euro but you will get 1 drink with it, which is a
typical price and practice in similar clubs. If it is the
first time you are going there it is hard to notice the
venue at first sight. The entrance is on a very narrow
street, down the steps from the main avenue. It is just
round the corner of a linens shop called English Home, which
is easier to notice with a big obtrusive sign-board. If you
take taxi from Taksim tell the driver that you will get off
at "Askeri Muze" /Military museum in Harbiye. The
club is across the main street with respect to Askeri Muze building.
Comments about this venue:
"Your site's review of Love Dance Point is totally wrong.
The venue is located on one of the biggest avenues of
Istanbul and it is not dangerous at all. It is totally gay
and packed at weekends. Your review looks as if it is not
popular and not gay at all. Totally misdirecting!
(posted by Hakan from Turkey on Jan 06, 2012)
Web:
http://www.facebook.com/ekooclubb
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, queers, rent-boys, few
transvestites, and bears are regular attendants.
Rent-boys are
easy to
notice and it is recommended to be selective with the guys
you meet as anywhere.
Music is a mixture of Western
dance hits and Turkish pop music selections.
Ekoo bar has
moved to a more central location in March 2011, very close
to Taksim square. It is now across from the flower shops at
Taksim square on Tarlabasi avenue, just a few meter below
senior Prive club (now also called No Name) or next to Carlton
Hotel.
Click here for location map
Club 17 - 23:00-05:00 Address: Istiklal Caddesi,
Zambak Sokak No:17,
Istanbul
Meeting point of mainly cheap young hustlers & amateur escort boys
and some gay men who would be interested in them. There are
also several drag queens and transvestites in the place most
of the time. They play loud techno & underground music from
their lousy music system but it is a busy place usually full
of these hustlers. Beware of the boys you pick up from here.
As long as you are aware of these facts, it may be fun to go
there to observe the underground gay-culture of the city
for some people.
Club Cheeky - 24:00-06:00 Address:
Kucuk Bayram Sokak No:1/A Beyoglu / Istanbul.
This is a small morning-club open on Fridays and Saturdays
and not busy before 03:00 am, intending to catering people
after other clubs closes down. Although there are no
shows, they also ask for an entrance fee (apprx 15 Euro) and
are very arrogant about it. You can see a mixture of
gays, rent-boys and even transvestites. It is located on a
back-street (Bayram Sokak), which was notorious with
transgender prostitution before, and it is recommended to be careful
with pick-pockets in the vicinity late after midnight. Its
small darkroom is the main reason of its popularity,
although it is not as liberal as its western counterparts.
Dark rooms are not very common in gay clubs in Istanbul,
because these kind of venues are regarded as public venues
and are subject to police and municipality controls now and
then.
Click
here to see other pre-club gay bars, cafe-shops and
other & gay-friendly day time venues
The venues which no
longer exist Following venues
has been closed-down completely for various reasons. We are listing them just to
let people know because they are still being listed on many
other internet websites and gay guide books, including
Spartacus. Please note that our website is edited by local
people living in Istanbul and updated frequently with the
latest information about the gay venues in Istanbul which
you can not find anywhere else.
Club Prive- Changed name as No-name. Same owners but now
a trans club
Other Side- Changed name as Penthouse Club
Deja Vu - Closed down in mid 2010
Inside Cafe Lounge - Closed down in mid 2010
Barbahce - Closed down in early 2010
Queen Bar - Closed down in late 2009
Rouge Bar - Closed done in early 2011
Following gay venues has been closed-down (or they have
totally changed their gay concepts) at least 2 years ago
some of which
may still be listed on several international gay website:
Shake-in Cafe-Bar, Club Barisik,
Degirmen Pub, Ajda Club, Secret Club, Exit Club, Purple Club, Gabile Club,
Hot Point (TT'S) Cafe, B Club, Bubble, Pincur's Cafe,
Tantana Bar, Altenatif Club,
Oz Club, Club 99, Hans Bar, Telve, Club 14 (Ceylan's),
Machine, Club 12, Kutu Bar, Yesil Bizans.
Click
here to see other pre-club gay bars, cafe-shops and
other & gay-friendly day time venues
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