Karga Bar ★ 4.5
₺₺kadikoyDaily 11:00-02:00, live programming evenings
Karga Bar on Kadife Sokak in Caferağa has run since 1996 as the Asian-side independent music reference, a multi-level bohemian room with the upstairs kargART.
Tip: Door is unmarked; look for the number 16 and the crow logo. The top floor is the stage; the lower floors are pub seats. Cash bar is fastest.
Asmalı Cavit ★ 4.6
₺₺beyogluMon to Sat 16:00 to late, closed Sun
Asmalı Cavit on Asmalı Mescit Caddesi has run for over two decades as the Beyoğlu meyhane reference, with two floors of jammed tables, a meze tray of 15.
Tip: Book ahead Friday and Saturday; the meze tray arrives before you order. Raki and grilled anchovies are the canonical pair; music starts around 21:00.
Mikla ★ 4.7
₺₺₺₺beyogluBar daily 18:00-02:00, seasonal
Mikla on top of the Marmara Pera on Meşrutiyet Caddesi is the Mehmet Gürs rooftop restaurant and bar, holding a Michelin star since 2023 with cocktails.
Tip: Bar from 18:00-02:00; the restaurant downstairs is the tasting-menu seat. Dinner reservations essential; bar takes walk-ins. Closed November to March.
360 Istanbul ★ 4.4
₺₺₺beyogluMon to Thu 12:00-02:00, Fri to Sat 12:00-04:00, Sun 12:00-02:00
360 Istanbul on top of the 19th-century Mısır Apartmanı on İstiklal Caddesi runs a glass-walled penthouse with panoramic city views, Turkish meze fused.
Tip: Lunch to late-night kitchen; the bar runs to 04:00 on weekends. Lift to the 8th floor through the apartment lobby. Book a window for the sunset rail.
The Bank Roof Bar ★ 4.4
₺₺₺karakoyDaily from late afternoon to late
The Bank Roof Bar on top of the 19th-century former bank building on Bankalar Caddesi in Karaköy looks across the Golden Horn at the Old City.
Tip: Lift through the lobby of The Bank Hotel; arrive before sunset for a Topkapı and Hagia Sophia rail seat. Karaköy tram is two blocks.
Leb-i Derya ★ 4.3
₺₺₺beyogluMon to Thu 16:00-02:00, Fri 16:00-03:00, Sat 10:00-03:00, Sun 10:00-02:00
Leb-i Derya on Kumbaracı Yokuşu off İstiklal Caddesi opened in 2002 as the original Beyoğlu rooftop concept, a sixth-floor apartment-building terrace looking.
Tip: Lift to the 6th floor; the sign at street level is small. The terrace is the photo seat; book for sunset. Kitchen serves Mediterranean small plates to 22:30.