Arkaoda on Kadife Sokak in Caferağa has run since 1999 as the Asian-side listening reference, an unmarked door cafe by day that turns at night to an analog room programming Turkish psych, deep techno, jazz, afro-beat and funk.
Tip: No sign on the door; look for the number 18. The back room is the music seat. Underground DJ programming and small live sets; the schedule moves on Instagram.
Address: Kadife Sokak No:18/A, 34710 Caferağa, Kadıköy, Istanbul
The Badau on Duatepe Sokak in Yeldeğirmeni is the Eren Noyan gastro-jazz room founded in 2016 in this Kadıköy quarter, a compact stage hosting Turkish and international jazz musicians across the week alongside a kitchen-led food programme.
Tip: Ticketed concerts; book ahead via the venue. Kitchen serves before the set. Kadıköy ferry is the easiest cross-water route; cab back is fastest later.
The Badau on Duatepe Sokak in Yeldeğirmeni is the Eren Noyan gastro-jazz room founded in 2016 in this Kadıköy quarter, a compact stage hosting Turkish and international jazz musicians across the week alongside a kitchen-led food programme.
Tip: Ticketed concerts; book ahead via the venue. Kitchen serves before the set. Kadıköy ferry is the easiest cross-water route; cab back is fastest later.
Mezkla Hi-Fi Bar on Yeşim Sokak in Akat above the Mezkla Mexican kitchen runs an upstairs audiophile room with a custom sound system, sound-insulated walls and a vinyl-led programme leaning Latin, jazz and electronic across the evening.
Tip: Closed Mondays; the hi-fi bar is upstairs from the restaurant. Akmerkez and the Akatlar metrobus are the closest stops. Book ahead Friday and Saturday.
Arsen Lüpen on Mis Sokak off İstiklal Caddesi runs a rooftop late-night bar with live music, karaoke nights and an open-mic strand, a Beyoğlu fixture with a young eclectic crowd and a programme that runs into the early hours every night.
Tip: Open until 05:00 most nights; happy hour 14:00 to 19:00. Mis Sokak is a left turn off İstiklal from Taksim. Cash bar runs faster than card.
The James Joyce on Balo Sokak off İstiklal Caddesi is Istanbul's original Irish pub, with Guinness on tap, live music every night of the week, big-screen international sport and a kitchen serving pub food into the early hours on weekends.
Tip: Live music every night; Friday and Saturday run to 04:00. Cash bar moves faster on big-match nights. Şişhane Metro is two blocks.
Munzur Cafe Bar on Hasnun Galip Sokak off İstiklal Caddesi opened in 1992 as one of Turkey's first türkü bars, with nightly live Turkish folk by saz players and small ensembles, raki and Efes on the tables and home-style mezes from the kitchen.
Tip: Live music starts most nights around 21:00; the room sings along by midnight. Cash bar is fastest. Nearby Galip Dede ramp leads down to Galata.
Klein Garten on Meşrutiyet Caddesi in Asmalımescit runs the sixth-floor sky-garden offshoot of the Klein electronic family, programming techno and house with Golden Horn views in a summer-season open-air room above Beyoğlu.
Tip: Restaurant service runs 18:00 to 20:00, then the room turns club until late. Summer season only; check the Klein Facebook for the next opening before going.