WARNING 1-Most
of the locals in this directory are listed without the
approval of the their owners or their managements. Moreover,
there might be some changes with the information given here
which we have not obtained yet, although we are trying to be
as update as possible. Please use the information offered
accordingly
2-The information on this page is last updated in
March 2007
Istanbul with a population about 12 million is the capital of
gay scene in Turkey. Just as Turkey is a mixture of east and
west, Istanbul is a summary of all country. Its
cosmopolite life leads to a very colorful gay life; you can
encounter quite trendy gay clubs as well as astonishingly
traditional and local ones near one another in this city.
The rich and the poor, the modern and the old-fashioned, the
intellectual and the illiterate are all here in this city,
sometimes inside one another. Queens, transvestites,
modern gays, bisexuals, lesbians, rent-boys are all parts of
this vivacious world. Since Istanbul itself is a very charming
city with its historical, cultural and natural beauties, it
won't be exaggeration to say : If you are gay, DON'T DIE
BEFORE YOU SEE ISTANBUL
Gay
Cafe Bar Istanbul
Popular Cafe Bar and Restaurant is the starting point of gay
night life of Istanbul, centrally located in Taksim, Istanbul.Visit their website for more
information, location map and contact information:
Website: Gay Cafe Bar Istanbul
BARBAHCE;
23:00 - 04:00
Address: Siraselviler Caddesi, Soganci Sokak, No:7 / 1,
Cihangir - Beyoglu. Closed on Mondays. Closer to Taksim Ilk
Yardim Hastanesi (State hospital)
A popular and senior gay club providing an upper scale
atmosphere. Good music, safe people and neighborhood.
EKOO BAR ( 22:00-04:00) (Ex Hans Bar, more busy
between 23:30-04:00)
Address: Tarlabasi Bulvari No: 248 Beyoglu. It is onTarlabasi Bulvari (Tarlabasi Avenue)
closer to Euro Plaza Hotel on the same side of the street.
A more local,
and
relaxed atmosphere with less attitudes. Mix ages and various
types of gay men, bears, bear lovers and few queens as well as
gay tourists are regular attendants.
CLUB TANTANA Open between 23:00-04:00, until 07:00 am on
Friday and Saturday nights)
Address: Istiklal Caddesi No: 114 Beyoglu. Club is the meeting place for
Turkish bears and older gay men, though also welcomes younger
gay men. It is a spacious and well decorated venue, with very
friendly staff. Music is mix of latest European hits but more Turkish
Pop.
CLUB
17: 23:00-05:00
Address: Istiklal Caddesi, Zambak Sokak No:17 (Near French
Consulate)
Mainly young gay-hustlers and some gay men who would be
interested in them. They play loud techno music from their
unbearable sound system but it is usually busy with these
hustlers. It is highly recommended to be careful with the boys
you pick up from here.
DEJA
VU (23:30-04:00) (r-B)
Address: Istiklal Caddesi,
Sadri Alısık Sokak,
Beyoglu.
Mainly rent boys and hustlers and those who are interested in
them. Underground music. SAHRA
BAR
: 23:00-04:00
ADDRESS: Istiklal Cad. Sadri Alisik Sk. NO:40 Taksim/Beyoglu.
Although it is a "trans club" (if not a typical one) it is more
piled up by rough ghetto boys who loves them. These attracts
some gay men who likes such boys. It's 4-5 storey is
usually complete full of these "hundreds of boys" on Saturday
nights. It might be very interesting just to see but watch your
wallet in there.
The more
active gay life of Istanbul is between 24:00 till 04:00 a.m .
There are a few exclusively gay day time venues in Istanbul,
that is worth listing on our website, here, which are not very
busy usually.
SUGAR
CAFE 12:00-01:00
ADDRESS: Istiklal Caddesi Saka Salim Cikmazi no: 3/A Beyoglu
Istanbul.
This small but nice gay cafe & restaurant is located on a narrow
lane on Istiklal Avenue, somewhere opposite of St. Antoine
Church. There is a sign-board of the
venue with rainbow flag colors at the
entrance of the lane (Saka Salim Sokagi)
There is free wireless internet connection in the area. The
prices are very reasonable and various foods are available from
13:00 till 22:00 o'clock. Patronized
by nice gay men, and there are no hustlers or rent boys usually.
SUGARCLUB
CAFE 12:00-01:00
ADDRESS: Istiklal Caddesi Saka Salim Cikmazi no: 3/A Beyoglu
Istanbul.
This small but nice gay cafe & restaurant is located on a narrow
lane on Istiklal Avenue, somewhere opposite of St. Antoine
Church. There is a sign-board of the cafe with rainbow flag
colors at the entrance of the lane (Saka Salim Sokagi)
In summer they put table outside. There is free wireless
internet connection in the area. The prices are very reasonable
and various foods are available from 13:00 till 22:00 o'clock.
Attended by nice gay men, and there are no hustlers or rent boys
usually.
BESINCI KAT ("The Fifth Floor") 09:00 03:00
Siraselviler Caddesi, Soganci Sokak, No:7/1, Cihangir - Beyoglu
(On the side street across the Taksim Ilk Yardim (State)
Hospital)
A gay friendly restaurant at the same building with Club
Barbahce on the first floor. It is a little expensive but
you can try for the sake of good food and magnificent view to
the Bosporus Channel.
THERAPY
RESTAURANT 08:00-01:00
Address: Divanyolu Caddesi, Eminpasa Sokak. No: 4 Sultanahmet,
Istanbul
Located at the terrace floor of gay-friendly
Hotel Petrol Palace. Therapy Restaurant offers
breakfast, lunch and dinner with reasonable prices. This terrace
restaurant has great view of the Blue Mosque and Marmara Sea.
The cook is a master of Turkish and International cuisines
including fish and meat. There is also an American Bar at the
restaurant and they organize Dervish /Sufi show on Saturday
nights here. This place is
aiming to be a meeting point for gays and lesbians in the old
city, Sultanahmet. The restaurant is located just behind the
central tramcar station of Sultanahmet.
Hamams (Turkish
Baths) have played a very important role in the history of
Turkish gay life. During Ottoman Empire period, they were maybe
the main places for cruising. There are many miniatures
illustrating gay-relations in hamams, which might even be
astonishing for the people of today's modern age. Most of the
hamams listed at our page are historical buildings. But they are
not reflecting the glory of the past unfortunately. They are not
in a good situation and not so clean. Hamams are among the
victims of so called modern western culture.
There
is not any gay Turkish Bath in Istanbul, that is exclusively
gay. There are a few of them (Not the good ones for the
basic functions) that gay man would go, but their managers do
not want to be advertised on any publications, as they are not
even gay friendly in real meaning. They just let it happen for
money. That's why we decided not to list them anymore on our
website. Do not worry, they are disappointment usually to gay
tourists, because the hamams are touristy and nostalgic for
local people as well.
In Istanbul there
are not swimming places mainly crowded by gay men. But there are
some beaches where it's more likely to meet gay-related people.
These are...
KILYOS beach. Along the Black Sea at
European side. 1 hour away from city by public transportation.
SILE
("shile") Beach. Along the
Black Sea at Asian side. More than 1 hour away from the city
center.
ADALAR
(Princes Islands) Small
islands near the city. They are four islands. The native
inhabitants of these islands are mostly non-Muslim minorities.
The big one (Buyuk Ada) is the most active one. Regular
ferryboats from Eminonu/Sirkeci on the European side and Kadikoy
or Bostanci at the Asian side. The same ferryboat stops at all
islands. It takes half an hour/45 minutes by ferry-boat.
Cruising areas are where gay people should be more careful. In
such places it is very possible to meet people with bad
intentions. Especially be careful if they propose you to have
sex outside, in desolate places.
Taksim Park, Behind Mc Donald's, the part of
the park closer to the sea. It is not a safe place for
foreigners especially. Do not go to the desolated places down
the park with anyone and do not carry valuable things and money
on you.
Taksim Square, near Mc Donald's.
Istiklal Caddesi Since this street connects
Taksim to most of the gay locals, you can see many gay-related
people on your way.
Fatih Park (MA,mwm,AYOR) The Park at
Sarachane, Be careful, don't carry your valuables on you. (Stop
at Sarachane when you go to Aksaray from Taksim.)
Ortakoy
Coast. The town Near Besiktas ("Beshiktash")
by the Bosphorus. The coast area near the mosque is very busy
and there's a vivid night life. 15 minute from Taksim with a
taxi. (It takes more during rush hours). Mostly cruisable on
Sundays in summer.
Sultanahmet Park. The small park opposite from
Park Hamam behind the tramcar station.
Kadikoy , The parks near the ferryboat
stations and the town square.
Bostanci Coast (AYOR) At Asian side.
Easy to go to Bostanci from Kadikoy or from Taksim by cabs. From
Kadikoy cabs are starting from behind the police Station. From
Taksim Its near AKM building (The Concert and Exhibition
Building named Ataturk Cultural Center)
