In Istanbul there is a tradition of visits to cafes and bars, which are not the same for other cities. About fifteen years ago this was a rather dull and monotonous job. Therefore, the boring, not always clean and fresh visitors to the local tea and bars are middle-aged men, fan clubs and strong cigarettes who smoke. However, today in Istanbul you can find an area where time has stopped, and the image looks exactly as we just described. For this purpose, just take a walk in Fatih or Uskudary district.
But rhythm and other tastes reign on the northern shore of the Golden Horn. Most cafes and bars were built here in the mid-90s under the influence of growing European tourism. We had in mind, first of all, Beyoglu district, coming from the square of the same name, Istiklal Street and the alleys that depart from it. According to conservative estimates, there are over a thousand different places, including small bars, cafes, and nightclubs. The price range is quite wide: from democratic visitors to luxury restaurants.
Another catering and entertainment center is the Kadikey region, located on the Asian coast. The atmosphere here is more calm and relaxed, almost unpretentious. Foreign tourists here are slightly smaller, but there are many local youth and progressive student representatives. Almost all cafes or bars in the evening become clubs with live music. The most expensive clubs and cafes are located along the Bosporus: Ortaköy, Babek, Buyder.
The cafes feature Istanbul and you can assume that alcohol is not sold everywhere, it depends on the availability of the license. Those who receive it are called licensed, ickili. Thus, non-alcoholic institutions are labeled as unlicensed, ickisiz.
Be careful with credit cards, they are not accepted everywhere. The menu varies from institution to institution. In some you can only eat lightly, while in others you can get a full dinner and dessert. Many Beyoğlu companies operate until the last customer leaves, although the official hours are limited to four in the morning. But according to local law Kadikey all cafes and bars close at exactly 2 am.
The attitude of the local authority for the nightlife can hardly be called tolerable. Police inspections have recently become more frequent, they are looking for drugs and those who illegally distribute or use them. On the one hand, it is a concern for the safety of tourists and visitors to clubs and cafes. On the other hand, you must carry any identification document - passport