5 live music worth the night across Turkey, editor-ranked. All Turkey guides.
Babylon ★ 4.7 · Istanbul
nisantasi · Silahşör Caddesi, Birahane Sokak No:1, 34384 Şişli, Istanbul
Babylon on Birahane Sokak inside the Bomonti beer factory in Şişli has been the Istanbul live-music reference since 1999, with a 1,000-capacity stripped-brick concert hall booking international touring artists in jazz, indie, electronic and Turkish music.
Tip: Ticketed concerts; book early for headliners. Osmanbey Metro L2 is the closest stop. The Bomontiada complex has bars and food before the show.
Salon İKSV ★ 4.6 · Istanbul
beyoglu · Sadi Konuralp Caddesi No:5, 34433 Şişhane, Beyoğlu, Istanbul
Salon İKSV on Sadi Konuralp Caddesi in Şişhane is the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts performance venue, a 400-standing room hosting classical, jazz, rock and world-music concerts alongside theatre and dance through the year.
Tip: Şişhane Metro L2 is next door. Ticketed concerts only; book through the IKSV site. The room is small, sightlines from the seated rows are best.
Nardis Jazz Club ★ 4.6 · Istanbul
karakoy · Galata Kulesi Sokak No:8, 34421 Kuledibi, Beyoğlu, Istanbul
Nardis Jazz Club on Galata Kulesi Sokak below the tower has run since 2002 as the Istanbul jazz reference, a basement room booking local and international touring artists six nights a week with table seating along the small bandstand.
Tip: Concerts from 21:30 every night except Sunday; reservations held until 21:15. Cash entry plus card behind the bar; Şişhane Metro is two blocks.
Asmalı Cavit ★ 4.6 · Istanbul
beyoglu · Asmalı Mescit Caddesi No:16/D, 34430 Beyoğlu, Istanbul
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 to 20 small plates and a father-and-son bağlama and violin duo through arabesque classics.
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.
Karga Bar ★ 4.5 · Istanbul
kadikoy · Kadife Sokak No:16, 34710 Caferağa, Kadıköy, Istanbul
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 stage booking concerts across rock, indie and electronic through the school year.
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.