Traditional Istanbul nightlife used to centre around restaurants and gazinos - clubs where meze is served, accompanied by singers and Oriental dancers. These days, Western-style bars and clubs - the latter invariably trendy and expensive - have all but taken over, packed with younger revellers, although traditional music is making something of a comeback, with some laid-back bar-restaurants serving food accompanied by an ever-changing crowd of musicians. Locations tend to centre around Taksim and its nearby suburbs, and along the Bosphorus, particularly the district of Ortaköy, just beyond Besiktas.

Bars
Baraka , 2nd floor, Ezine Apt, Balo Sok, Istiklâl Cad, Beyoglu. Noisy hang-out with cheap beer and good music. Cheers Bar , Akbiyik Cad 20. Loud music, cheap beer and a backpackerish clientele. Gizli Bahçe ,...
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Clubs and discos
Babylon , Seybender Sok 3, Asmalamescit, Tünel ( www.babylon-ist.com ). Purpose-built club and venue with regular stints by foreign bands and DJs alike. Expensive but occasionally has special offers. Milk , Akarsu Sok 5,...
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