When you think of traditional taverns Istanbul, authentic Turkish drinking spots known as meyhanes, where rakı flows freely and meze plates never stop coming. Also known as meyhanes, these places aren’t just bars—they’re social institutions where time slows down, strangers become friends, and the night stretches longer than you planned. Unlike flashy clubs or tourist traps, these taverns have been around for generations, often tucked into alleyways near the Bosphorus or in the old neighborhoods of Kadıköy and Beyoğlu. They don’t advertise. You find them by the smell of grilled octopus, the clink of glasses, and the sound of oud music drifting through open doors.
What makes a meyhane, a traditional Turkish tavern that centers around rakı and shared small plates. Also known as rakı bar, it’s a cultural experience built on patience, conversation, and ritual so special? It’s not about the drinks—it’s about the rhythm. You start with a small glass of rakı, diluted with water until it turns milky white. Then come the meze: creamy haydari yogurt, spicy sucuk sausage, crispy fried calamari, and stuffed grape leaves. Each bite is meant to be savored, not rushed. Locals will tell you the best meyhanes don’t have menus—you just ask what’s fresh that day. And the music? It’s not piped in. It’s live: a saz player strumming folk tunes, or an old man singing with a voice worn smooth by decades of smoke and laughter.
These spots don’t cater to tourists looking for Instagram backdrops. They’re where businessmen unwind after long days, where fishermen celebrate a good catch, and where expats who’ve lived here years still feel like they’ve found home. The Turkish tavern, a cultural hub rooted in Ottoman-era drinking customs and communal dining. Also known as lokanta, though true meyhanes focus more on drinks than full meals is a living archive of Istanbul’s soul. You won’t find cocktail menus here. You’ll find stories. You’ll find people who’ve been coming for 30 years and still know the owner’s name. And you’ll find that the real nightlife of Istanbul doesn’t start until after midnight—when the city’s energy shifts from business to connection.
What you’ll find in the posts below are real guides to the best of these places—hidden meyhanes in Balat, rooftop taverns with Bosphorus views, and family-run spots where the recipe for the meze hasn’t changed since the 1970s. You’ll learn how to order like a local, what to drink with what dish, and how to avoid the places that charge triple for the same food. This isn’t about partying. It’s about being present. And in Istanbul, that’s the most valuable thing you can buy with your evening.
Istanbul's nightlife blends centuries-old meyhanes with underground clubs and rooftop lounges. From raki-soaked taverns to techno basements, discover where locals really go after dark.
