4 speakeasies in Istanbul, editor-picked by TableJourney. All Istanbul nightlife.
Geyik ★ 4.5
cihangir · Akarsu Yokuşu No:22/A, 34433 Cihangir, Beyoğlu, Istanbul
Geyik on Akarsu Yokuşu in Cihangir runs a third-wave coffee roastery by day and a cocktail bar by night, with brick walls, wood paneling and a creative drinks list that earned it Time Out's neighborhood-bar reference for the district.
Tip: Coffee through the afternoon; cocktails take over from early evening. The room is small, the bar seats fill first. Open daily until 02:00.
Kiki ★ 4.2
beyoglu · Sıraselviler Caddesi No:42, 34433 Beyoğlu, Istanbul
Kiki on Sıraselviler Caddesi in Beyoğlu is the Burcu Denizer gastro pub running since 2009, known for house-vodka cocktails like the mastic and pomegranate pours and a back-room dance floor that kicks off most nights after 23:30.
Tip: Walk in for the bar; the back room turns club after midnight. Taksim Metro is a 5-minute walk. The apple martini is a regular order.
Alexandra Cocktail Bar ★ 4.5
sariyer · Bebek Arnavutköy Caddesi No:50, 34345 Arnavutköy, Beşiktaş, Istanbul
Alexandra Cocktail Bar on the Bebek-Arnavutköy waterfront strip in Beşiktaş runs a Gault and Millau Turkey listed cocktail programme from a narrow corner storefront, a Bosphorus-village hideaway with a street terrace and a creative shaker-led list.
Tip: Walk in for the terrace; the inside bar fills first on cold nights. The corner seats catch the strait breeze. Cab back to Beyoğlu is fastest after midnight.
Sensus Wine Boutique ★ 4.4
karakoy · Büyük Hendek Caddesi No:5, 34420 Bereketzade, Beyoğlu, Istanbul
Sensus Wine Boutique on Büyük Hendek Caddesi behind the Galata Tower runs an underground stone-vaulted cellar bar with more than 350 Turkish and international wines by the glass, regional cheese boards and an occasional jazz programme through the evening.
Tip: Below the Anemon Galata Hotel; the cellar fills first. The in-house sommelier picks the by-the-glass flights. Cash bar runs faster than card.