Istanbul bar, club recommendations?
Apr 25, 2006, 3:50 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2006
Programs: UA Silver
Posts: 168
Istanbul bar, club recommendations?
This is my very first...post...be gentle. Traveling to Turkey on 5/5 and spending a few days in Istanbul before getting on a boat. Wondering if there are recommendations for gay bars, clubs, etc. while in Istanbul. We are staying in the old city part (near Blue Mosque, etc.).
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Jun 12, 2007, 5:34 pm
#2
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: UA 1K, AA EXPLAT, UA MM, DL Gold
Posts: 146
Anyone with recommendations
Hey there. Done some seaching but cant find anything current. I am heading to Istanbul this week and am looking for bars/clubs recommendations or info on the gay scene. I am staying in Taksim at the Hyatt Regency. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Jun 12, 2007, 8:52 pm
#3
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: New York, NY
Programs: AA Plat, SPG Gold
Posts: 47
My favorites gay bars/clubs in Istanbul:
BB (Bar Bahce) - bar/lounge open until 2am
Love - Dance club open until 4am
Tek Yon - lounge/dance club after 11:00pm
Babylon - although a mixed bar, this is one of the best places to see live acts/djs
Hope it helps. Istanbul has a fab nightlife so do explore beyond the gay spots.
BB (Bar Bahce) - bar/lounge open until 2am
Love - Dance club open until 4am
Tek Yon - lounge/dance club after 11:00pm
Babylon - although a mixed bar, this is one of the best places to see live acts/djs
Hope it helps. Istanbul has a fab nightlife so do explore beyond the gay spots.
Jun 13, 2007, 10:14 am
#4
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: AMS
Programs: Flying Blue Gold
Posts: 1,849
Don't forget the new-ish Club 3 at the weekends off Istiklal. A converted cinema with a wrestling ring in the centre of the dance floor for slightly bizarre "fights" by oiled up men in skimpy shorts on Saturday night!!
These articles and web sites may also be of interest:
http://www.advocateinsider.com/travel/index.html
http://www.gturk.net/english_travel_mp.htm
Enjoy Istanbul - great city and lots of fun!
These articles and web sites may also be of interest:
http://www.advocateinsider.com/travel/index.html
http://www.gturk.net/english_travel_mp.htm
Enjoy Istanbul - great city and lots of fun!
Jun 14, 2007, 8:41 am
#6
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: FRA
Programs: LH SEN, ME Cedar Miles Prestige
Posts: 405
Oct 13, 2007, 4:27 pm
#7
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PlatMM, BA and Alaska Emerald, HHonors DIA, Accor, Marriott Titanium, IHG Plat Amb, UA Silver, AA
Posts: 4,513
I'll be in IST next weekend, 19-21 October. My 3rd trip there in 5 years--a fairly easy NW Mileage Run via AMS.
Any further updates on Clubs/Bars/Hamams
?
Staying at HI City Istanbul (not the airport one)--hotel prices are MUCH higher than a few years ago--darn Euro!
Any further updates on Clubs/Bars/Hamams
? Staying at HI City Istanbul (not the airport one)--hotel prices are MUCH higher than a few years ago--darn Euro!
Oct 19, 2007, 12:18 pm
#8
Join Date: May 2003
Location: New York, NY
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, AA Platinum
Posts: 931
Be really careful at the bars. I have heard lots of stories, including two from good friends of mine, of being approached/hit on by some pretty good looking guys at the bars in Turkey and then ending up having to pay for their "services."
Jun 26, 2009, 8:50 am
#10
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PlatMM, BA and Alaska Emerald, HHonors DIA, Accor, Marriott Titanium, IHG Plat Amb, UA Silver, AA
Posts: 4,513
I made some Turkish friends on Gayromeo. We went to Tek Yon together, and it really was a decent place--I'd go back. Interestingly, my Turkish friend enjoyed pointing out the Money Boys (though I could have done it pretty well myself!).
So yes, there are Money Boys there, but plenty of regular guys, too.
As for hotel prices, they are MUCH more reasonable now--at least acceptable!
Stayed at the W Istanbul--fabulous--though a bit out of my price range.
IMHO, if you've already been to Istanbul before, there is little to no reason to stay on the Sultanhamet side--it's mostly tourism-based stuff happening there (the bazaar, the big mosques, Topkapi Museum), while the Taksim side is, to me, more of the "real" Istanbul.
Have a great time!
Jun 27, 2009, 3:45 am
#11
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Silver, Vietnam Airlines Lotusmiles Platinum
Posts: 2,374
Thanks.
I will be going there also in November (6-9th), but have not yet booked hotel !
Thanks again ! Got some ridiculously cheap Easyjet flights... my first ever on EasyJet !
I will be going there also in November (6-9th), but have not yet booked hotel !
Thanks again ! Got some ridiculously cheap Easyjet flights... my first ever on EasyJet !
Jul 19, 2009, 2:56 pm
#13
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: EWR Ionosphere Club, LAX Clipper Club, Still Traveling Global, yearly BIS miles
Programs: EAL Silver Wings, I-Club, Flying Colonels DL, WorldPass PLat from the olde Meatball and PE SMARTbank
Posts: 1,986
really the most interesting place is Sahara, a tranny bar with lots of str8 men, who are really str8. they have no interest in u unless u try to dress a little fem. (no i did not do it!) it is really interesting however, men this guy who goes to IST often and he is not all that great looking or fem but to pick up some pretty hot "str8" guys he puts on wigs and goes there. the place is pretty amazing. be careful lots of tranny hookers etc...
Jul 20, 2009, 11:04 am
#14
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Bodrum, Turkey
Programs: TK Elite, *A Gold
Posts: 78
The newest club in istanbul is called XLarge. It's very easy to find. Very close to The Marmara Pera Hotel near Taksim and on the street right next to a Thai restaurant called "Cok Cok". It's a great place. Highly recommended...