Istanbul Gay Nightlife
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INTRODUCTION
LGBT NIGHTLIFE IN ISTANBUL
Istanbul, City of Mysteries Istanbul, a city with a mosaic of culture and history that has been the subject of songs, poems, novels. It is very exciting and fun to explore Istanbul, a city of mosques, palaces, parks and pavilions that are unique in the world and dazzle with its historical and cultural texture on the continents of Europe and Asia.
The first settlement in the city center, known as the historical peninsula of Istanbul, was founded by the Greeks in 685 BC and was called “Byzantion”. The historical peninsula, which has been called bydifferent civilizations throughout history with different names, was first referred to as Dersaadet and then as Istanbul during the Ottoman Empire.
Istanbul’s activities are unlimited. Istanbul fascinates its visitors with its magnificent natural beauty, minarets extending to the sky, gilded domes, palaces, mansions, museums, parks and gardens, monuments,towers, culture and much more. It is also unique in the world with its feature that unites the continents of Asia and Europe. And especially the Bosphorus-Istanbul Strait will affect you deeply. When the unique natural beauties of Istanbul are added to the historical monuments of Rome, Byzantiumand the Ottoman Empire, a magnificent picture emerges.
Apart from all the historical stuff, Istanbul is a great place to live it up and create unbelievable memories with its crazy night life.
LGBT Friendly Places to Hangout in Istanbul
Before your visit to Istanbul, you might want to familiarize yourself with the places you can visit and hang out freely and in comfort. No wonder it will not be as easy to find LGBT friendly places in Istanbul as it is in Western countries. However, we gathered all thisinformation for you to give you some knowledge beforehand and make the best out of your visit.
Chaplin Cafe
Chaplin café is an upstair gay bar and it is relatively small. The location of this place makes it quite attractive since it is only 10-minute walking distance from Taksim metro station. You can pay both by cash or card. The place serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. They have seven kinds of pasta, as well as salads and desserts. Chaplin café has a smoking area as well. People who usually prop up the bar are gay men in their 20s and 30s. It is usually open from 12 PM to 1 AM.
Chianti Bar
Cianti will be your cafe if you visit early in the day, or if you like day-drinking, and it will be a good choice for an evening meet-up with your date or friends. Unlike other gay venues, there is a moderate level of music that most homosexual venues do not have. The atmosphere in this bar is laid-backand gets crowded in the evenings. If you love Karaoke, Chianti Bar will be a good choice for your night-out.
No Name Club
Located next to the flower shops of Taksim Square, it is the most accessible transgender bar in Istanbul. This little bar is popular with transgender locals and a mix of gay, bisexual and straight men. It usually opens at 10 PM and is open until 5 AM in the morning. Located on Tarlabaşı Street, just opposite the minibus stops, very close to Taksim Square, the club is the only place that still keeps Istanbul’s classic transvestite club concept alive. This club, formerly located next door, moved to the site ofone of Istanbul’s oldest gay clubs, Prive, whose owners were the same in 2010.
XLarge Club
If you are not looking for a budget place but a place that you can have a night like there is no tomorrow, your address is XLarge Club. XLarge is on fire during weekends with DJs, hot shows and dancers making sure you enjoy the best out of your night. The club is located in Maslak District of Istanbul. The club charges usually higher for entry than other clubs, just keep in your mind.
Sahra Bar
Sahra bar, or Sahara Bar, has been open for along time in Istanbul. The bar has two floors and is the choice of locals and drag queens. Sahra Bar is usually open from 11 PM till 04:30 AM. The place was widely-known in the 90s and gained fame ever since. It is located across Huseyin Aga Mosque and is next to Sadri Alisik.
Love Dance Point
If you are in need of good music and want to dance your ass off, Love Dance Point will provide you just that. DJs are incredibly talented who will give you an unforgettable night in Istanbul. Love Dance Point has been preferred by LGBT people quite a lot in the last decade. They have themed parties on Friday nights that you can enjoy. Besides from incredible DJs, they have the hottest male dancers ever in town. If you take a taxi from Taksim, tell the driver that you will get off at the Military Museum in Harbiye. The entry fee is usually around 10 to 15 euros which will get you a drink as well once you get in.
Bigudi Club
Turkey’s first women’s exclusive / lesbian clubcurler Club, which has been relocated several times since its first opening in 2006, closed and reopened for a short time a few times, has moved again to its former location in Mis Sokak as of November 2018. A bar called the golden plaque, whose sign on the ground floor of the same building is more prominent,will help you find it easier. Weekends are usually livelier from 00:00 to 04:00 A,M. Bigudi Club defines itself a man-free area. As they stress on their Facebook page, every Friday and Saturday with world music, concept parties, employees, decor and guests, theyexpect anyone who wants to breathe this atmosphere into their women-only, man-free airspace. The entrance to Bigudi Club is for free. What makes Bigudi Club standout is their concerts and music.
Leman Kultur
If you are not in the mood of partying and losing yourself, but in the mood of talking and getting to know people, spending some quality time, Leman Kultur is definitely for you. This cozy place is a chain throughout Turkey and serves quality food and has good ambient. It’s the ideal place to meet friends and talk for hours while you sip your beer. It is open from 12 A.M. until 3 A.M. the next day. The place is officially gay-friendly. Located in famous Istiklal Avanue, Leman Kultur can be one of your favorite meet-up places.