The 5 coolest nightlife spots in Istanbul

Often referred to as the Berghain of Istanbul, not because of anything lascivious but because of the picky doorman, KLEIN is for people who want to dance carelessly to good electronic music. In the summer, the KLEIN crowd goes to the rooftop club KLEIN.garten on Meşrutiyet Caddesi 67.

With a whole house to itself on Kadife Sokak (Velvet Street – Kadıköy’s infamous nightlife epicentre), Bina is a cafe by day, where locals hang out in the comfy lounges upstairs, and a restaurant and bar at night. Listen to different DJs spin their best every week while you mingle with the cool crowd in the courtyard.

A true Istanbul nightlife institution, all the cool kids end up at Mini when every other bar begins to close. A tiny apartment-turned-club, some of the city’s best DJs perform here on the weekends to a carefree crowd that is not yet ready to call it a night.

This gorgeous historic apartment building hosts Istanbul’s best parties on its lower floor. Seasonal events include a coveted line-up of local and international DJs that infuse the crowd with enough energy to keep them going until the wee hours of the morning. That and the delicious cocktails, of course.

If partying on a rooftop with a 360-degree view of Istanbul is your thing, then make sure to put Mentha on your nightlife list. Some of the best local DJs such as Barış K. play at Mentha, and you’ll be happy to know that they also serve delicious food and cocktails.