Istanbul with a population over 13 million is the capital of gay life of 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 scene; you can find very trendy gay clubs competing with their western counterparts as well as astonishingly exotic and traditional ones near one another in this city.

The rich and the poor, the modern and the old-fashioned, the intellectual and the illiterate; all have have mixed up in Istanbul, which has been a meting pot for centuries.  Queens, transvestites, modern gays, bisexuals, lesbians, rent-boys are  part 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, do not die before your see Istanbul".


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Gay Cafe Bar Istanbul
Popular Cafe Bar and sneaks 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:  See their website


 EKOO BAR  ( 22:00-04:00)
Address: Tarlabasi Bulvari No: 248 Beyoglu.
It is located on Tarlabasi Bulvari (Tarlabasi Avenue)  somewhere across British Consulate, or 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 and sometimes transvestites as well as gay tourists are regular attendants. There was Hans bar in the same place some 5 years ago, which was also popular meeting point for Turkish gay bears. The new owner was then one of the senior waiters in Hans.
 

Open: 23:00-05:00

Address: Istiklal Caddesi, Zambak Sokak. NO:23 Taksim. 

Club Queen is a small but very friendly bar. Mostly seen younger gay men, and few selected rent boys.  Very good looking boys, great techno music.
For further details and map visit their website: See their website

 BARBAHCE ; 23:00 - 04:00 (Open only on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday)
Address: Siraselviler Caddesi,  Soganci Sokak, No:7 / 1, Cihangir - Beyoglu.
Located on this small lane called Soganci Sokak, somewhere opposite of Taksim Ilk Yardim Hastanesi (state hospital) on Siravelviler Street. A popular and senior gay club which has the atmosphere of typical western gay bars, patronized by upper scale people. The DJ's make very good music, playing mainly the latest European and American club hits as well as less of very entertaining Turkish Pop Music. Occasionally some popular Turkish singers would appear here as guest DJ's. Weekends are recommended if you like it crowded. The venue consists of two small rooms connected with a long narrow corridor. The bigger one is assigned for bar and dancing and the quieter back-room is for resting and talking to friends.

 TEK YON (23:00-04:00)
Address: Located on a street opposite of the Police head quarters on Tarlabasi Boulvard.
The most busy gay night club of recent years, probably because it offers a more casual and relaxed atmosphere. Gay men of all ages and styles are here. Famous with its camp-acting waiters and simple drag-shows on Tuesday nights. If not so many, there may also be few hustlers or rent boys in this club also.

 CLUB MAGMA  : 23:00-05:00
Address: Istiklal Caddesi, Sadri Alisik Sokak No:15
Opened in October 2008, a completely renovated venue located in a basement floor near Istiklal Caddesi on a side-street (Sadri Alisik). It is spacious with respect to average gay clubs in Istanbul.  Decoration and music system is good. The major concept of the club is DJ nights and dance shows. It is welcoming a mixture of gay and straight clients.

 PRIVE BAR & CLUB  : 23:00-05:00
Address: Tarlabasi Bulvari No: 28/A Taksim.
So close to Taksim square, across the flower shops at the center, just on the Tarlabasi boulevard.  It is probably the most senior of the existing gay bars  in Istanbul; a small but still entertaining bar & club. It is usually busy after 01:00 am, so may be considered as the second stop of the night.  The prices are a little over average. The place gets very busy on Saturday nights. Some famous faces of Turkey and several straight couples as well as few rent boys are also seen here. 

 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. You may also see several transvestites in Club 17. It is highly recommended to be careful with the boys you pick up from here, or maybe ask the recommendation of the waiters. The place is usually busy probably because they are not selective with the people who goes in.

 DEJA VU  (23:30-04:00)
Address: Istiklal Caddesi, Sadri Alısık Sokak, No: 26 - Beyoglu - Istanbul
Sadri Alisik is a lane opposite of the small Huseyin Aga mosque on Istiklal avenue.
Many rent boys and hustlers of Taksim and those gay men who are interested in them would go to this after- midnight-club. They play loud techno, underground and trance music. There may also be several she-males/trannies in the club sometimes. From time to time you can see very good looking boys here, which makes you ask yourself how come they are there. Some of them can be regulars or the new-comers, but it is usually the same boys travelling between Club 17 and Deja Vu, trying to find a better bargain to spend the night away

 OTHERSIDE   15:00 - 02:00
Address: Lamartine Caddesi 11/4  Beyoglu.
It was a nice evening cafe bar originally, now became a loud night club strangely on the 4th floor. It is busy on Saturdays usually. DJ shows and other activities can be seen. You see no rent-boys, or maybe few here.

 DURAK BAR  20:00- 02:00 (Former Pasam Bar)
Address:  Muratpasa Sokak No 9 Yusufpasa, AKSARAY, Istanbul.
Near Yusufpasa tram station, after Aksaray station with respect to Sultanahmet
The meeting point of middle class Turkish bears, older gay men and men with mustache. It has a very exotic and local atmosphere, which you can not see in any of the Taksim's gay bars and clubs.  Besides the different atmosphere it is also busy before midnight, while majority of gay bars & clubs in Taksim are busy after midnight. Live traditional music by gay singers would be unique experience for Western gay tourists, which is even authentic for most of the Turkish gay men living in Istanbul.

 DEGIRMEN PUB   CLOSED DOWN COMPLETELY IN 2008
Adnan Menderes Bulvari, Horhor Caddesi, AKSARAY.
Degirmen was a very long lasting (20 years) gay meeting place with the atmosphere similar to Durak bar as explained above. We are listing this just to let people know that this place is closed down completely, because it is still listed on many other internet websites and gay guide books.
 

 SAHRA  BAR : 23:00-04:00
ADDRESS: Istiklal Cad. Sadri Alisik Sk. NO:40 Taksim/Beyoglu.
Although it is a "tranny club" (if not a typical one) it is more filled up with rough ghetto boys who loves them. These almost-straight boys (though some of them can also be versatile with the she-males it is heard) also attract some (but few) gay men who like such straight looking/macho-acting boys.  Its 3 or 4 storey is usually full of these hundreds of boys especially on Saturday nights. It might be very interesting just to see this place, but do not forget to watch-out your wallet in here. Air-conditioning is very bad- almost not there. 

Send your feedbacks and comment about any of these venues or report a new place
 

Gay or Gay-Friendly Restaurants and Cafe Shops in Istanbul:

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.

 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.

 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) The sign-board says "Sugar Club" but this is actually a very small day-time cafe. It feels more specious in summer time when they put tables to the dooryard. 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.

 101 RESTAURANT - HALANIN ALTIN CAFE'SI  10:00-22:30
Address: Akyol Cad. No:37/A Cihangir, Beyoglu - Istanbul. Telephone: +90212 2932101
Well-known with his stage name "Hala" (meaning Aunt) the owner is a famous figure who used to be in show business as drag-shows in popular gay clubs of Istanbul has opened a cafe restaurant offering delicious home-made food from various regions of Turkey. It is a small but very friendly and homely venue located in lower part of Cihangir, residential neighborhood of Beyoglu/Taksim widely inhabited by foreigners and local gay men. This sweet chubby guy deserved to be supported in his new business.
 

 BESINCI KAT  ("The Fifth Floor") 09:00 – 03:00
Address: Siraselviler Caddesi, Soganci Sokak, No:7/1, Cihangir - Beyoglu
It is located on a small street across the entrance of state hospital called Taksim Ilk Yardim Hastanesi 
A gay friendly restaurant on top (5th) floor at the same building with a gay club (Barbahce) at the entrance floor.  It is a little expensive but you can try for the sake of good food and magnificent view of the Bosporus Straight and the Asian Side of Istanbul. There open air-terrace is very popular in summer evenings.

 COOKING ALATURKA  
Address: Akbiyik Caddesi 72a, Sultanahmet, Istanbul
Tel: (90) (212) 458 5919, Fax: (90) (212) 458 5999
A very gay-friendly restaurant on a lovely street in Sultanahmet. The owner is Dutch lady who has been living in Istanbul for many years, who was also former manager-owner of gay friendly Sarnich Hotel. The concept is basically to offer a miscellaneous menu of all authentic Turkish dishes, some Ottoman classics, some home-cooking and some regional specialties - only for lunch. Prices are mid-range,  not very cheap, not expensive, around 35  YTL for a menu of 4 courses for example. 

In addition to the restaurant, popular cooking classes of the owner have attracted world wide attention and have been covered by the printed media including New York Times.
Visit their home page for more information about the cooking classes: http://www.cookingalaturka.com

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Gay Friendly Sauna or Bath Houses in Istanbul:

There is not any gay exclusive Turkish Bath (hamam or hammam) in Istanbul. But there are few bath houses the gay men would go very often, which are actually not the good samples in terms of basic amenities and architecture. The owners and managers of them do not want to be disclosed on internet websites and keep sending us e-mails for that, although they want the gay clients probably for economic reasons only. That's why we decided not to list them anymore on our website. Actually, hamams are today touristy and nostalgic venues for local people as well and they are a little disappointing for gay tourists with respect to what they expect to see.

Hamams (Turkish Baths) have played a very important role in the history of Turkish gay life. During Ottoman Empire period, they were the main meeting and cruising places. There are many miniatures illustrating gay-relations in hamams, which might even look astonishingly 'brave' for the people of modern age. Most of the baths/hamams frequented by gay-men are historical buildings. But they are not reflecting the glory of the past unfortunately. They are not very well groomed and not so clean.

Visitor feedbacks:
This is about Park Hamam (changed name) along Divanyolu. I had a really bed experience there, though its now assumedly a family hamam with both men and women than being explicitly gay. it say 1.5 hours@ 60LTR when technically was 20mın MAX for a shower w.  a foam rub, and 20 minutes for an oil massage.  The guy who gave me a foam bath himself had a shower for 15 min, which was interesting. ........
On top of that when I tried to give feedback, the owner was defensive and vocal. I would never recommend anyone to this place  though ideally its the best location in a touristy area like Sultanahmet. (15/05/2009)

Attention: This bath house is still being listed on some websites and some guide books as gay/gay friendly venue, but its has changed its name and concept totally since 2003.

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Gay Cruising in Istanbul:
In general, the cruising areas - especially parks and secluded beaches are where gay men should be more selective with the people they meet. It is always possible to come across to some bad guys who want to trap the gay men in such places. Especially, be careful at night time and do not carry very valuable things and a lot of money on you, just in case.

 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  Especially people sitting on the fences around the sculpture at the center. Beware of hustlers and thieves who may also be around anytime.

 Istiklal Caddesi  Probably the most famous street all over Turkey. Since this day-and-night busy promenade street closed to traffic connects Taksim to most of the gay venues in the neighborhood, you can see many queers, gay men and related people on your way while you walk along the street.

 Fatih Park  The Park at Sarachane. Be careful here and don't carry valuable things on you. There are always pick pockets around. You need to get off at Sarachane stop (underpass) when you go to Aksaray town from Taksim.

 Ortakoy Coast   Ortakoy is a small town situated along the Bosphorus not far from major Besiktas district. The waterfront near the ornate mosque is very busy and there's a vivid night life. If no traffic, it takes a 10-15 minute ride from Taksim with a taxi, but much more during rush hours. Mostly cruisy on Sundays in summer.

 Sultanahmet Park   There is no visible gay action in old city, Sultanahmet actually. The small park behind the tramcar station, or the park over Arasta Bazaar maybe suitable for cruising in late evenings.

 Kadikoy Park  The breakwater and parks near the ferryboat stations and the town square can be cruisy in the evenings. Be careful after midnight.

Gay Beaches in Istanbul:

In Istanbul there are no gay-excusive beaches. In fact there are clean beaches left near city center, any more. There are few beaches where it's more likely to meet gay-related people. These are...
 

 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. Altough it is smaller Kinaliada is also said to be cruisy by some gay men. Regular public ferryboats are available from Eminonu/Sirkeci on the European side and Kadikoy or Bostanci on the Asian side of the city. The same ferryboat stops at all islands. It takes half an hour/45 minutes by ferry-boat.

Visitor Feedbacks:
"The part of the beach in Kinali Ada some 300 meter on the right hand side when you get off the boat. When the housing area by the coast finish, walk down to the sea-side from the pathway. Week-in days are better for cruising. On weekend days families are around, but anything can happen anytime."  (11/05/2009)

Princess Islands Tours by Leading Travel Agency of Turkey

 Kilyos Beach   Along the Black Sea at European side. 1 hour away from city by public transportation means. Too expensive to go with a taxi otherwise.

 Sile beach  (reads like "she-le"). A resort town of Istanbul along the Black Sea on Asian side of Istanbul far from city center. More than 1 hour away from the Asian part city center. There are public buses from Harem/Uskudar district to Sile.

Cruisy Venues in Istanbul (Not Gay)

 MC DONALD'S TAKSIM  
Located near Taksim Square, easily seen from everywhere.  Frequented by the gay people especially in summer evenings, sitting at tables outside.
 

 BIRAHI FAST FOOD / CAFE  : 09:00-24:00
At Taksim Square next to Mc Donald's. There are more gays in the evenings and weekends. Former Borsa Café. They still make discrimination against some gay men, especially if they are too obvious (flamboyant/feminine). If you still go there better be a little discrete.
 

 BURGER KING  TAKSIM  09:00-02:00

Istiklal cad. NO:1 Taksim (At Taksim Square)

You can rest for a cafe and observe the gay-related people. It's as gay as any self service cafe-shop would be near Taksim square. (Which means they are not serving especially to gay people but unavoidably attended by gays)

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Gay Groups and Gay lesbian Organizations in Istanbul:

 LAMBDA ISTANBUL
Address: Istiklal Caddesi, Katip Çelebi Mah. Tel Sokak. No: 28/5 Kat:4 Beyoglu - Istanbul
Location on Google Map

Lambda Istanbul is the first gay lesbian transgender liberation NGO of Turkey.

Lambda Istanbul is an organization that was formed by a group of gays and lesbians, right after the governor of Istanbul banned the Christopher Street Day Sexual Liberation Activities that were attempted to be held in July 1993. After this, the LGBT group that used to gather under the name "Gokkusagi" (Rainbow) took the name Lambda Istanbul. Lambda Istanbul is an organization run by volunteers only.

Since May 2002, they have a permanent office / cultural center that is open daily from 3 pm till 8 pm. They hold many activities there, such as discussions on various issues, LGBT themed film screenings, solidarity lunches to provide LGBT people with the opportunity to talk to each other in a relaxed atmosphere, where your conversation is not interrupted by loud music, dark, smoky environment (as it would be in a gay bar) Lambda Istanbul also has a library which contains books on LGBT issues (mostly in Turkish).

Each year, at the end of June, Lambda Istanbul organizes pride activities to re-think Stonewall and to celebrate the fact that we are not ashamed of being who we are. During these activities, They organize panels, discussions and presentations, films, concerts, parties, dinners, etc.

Lambda Istanbul has been organizing pride marches every year since 2003. The march is organized on a busy pedestrian street in the center of the city and ends with a press announcement. Since 2005,  Lambda Istanbul gives Hormonlu Domates “Hormone-fed or Genetically Modified Tomato" Awards to public figures who have made homophobic statements publicly during the year. Of course they never show up to get their awards, but it still gets a wide media coverage. 2007 pride week was the first international one and was a great success. There were many participants from many different countries. Istanbul pride march in 2007 gathered around 1500 people, including a candidate for the Turkish parliament in the then-upcoming general elections.

For More Info Please See Their Website


Gay & lesbian Internet Sources for Istanbul:

Yahoo Group For Turkish Lesbians
A Yahoo Group to meet Turkish Lesbians from all over Turkey. You can leave a message to meet Turkish lesbians and lesbian tourists living in or visiting Istanbul in this group.

Yahoo Group for Turkish Gays
A Yahoo Group to meet Turkish gay men from all over Turkey. You can leave a message to meet Turkish gays and gay tourists living in or visiting Istanbul in this group

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Gay Owned Flat For Rent in Taksim