Music, jazz and clubs in Istanbul

Istanbul is like a fizzling cauldron of culture; Old and new, Turkish and international, oriental and western. Just a taking a little stroll around in this city will show you a many-sided music and culture life.

Istanbul International Jazz Festival

If you like jazz, there are several small and larger jazz scenes in Istanbul, and the big jazz festival which is taking place in July every year is strongly recommended. Here you always find many great artists, not only jazz artists, also names of other genres. Check out Istanbul International Jazz Festivals program for the summer of 2008 here http://www.iksv.org/Caz/English/program.asp

JC’s (Istanbul Jazz Center), Ortaköy

The famous Turkish jazz pianist Kerem Görsev moved his jazz bar from Macka to Ortaköy a few years ago. Here he opened JC’s at the top of one of the buildings belonging to the new Radisson SAS hotel in Ortaköy. The multi-music artist Fatih Erkoc is also often found performing here, and several big Turkish and international jazz names. What is coming up at Jazz Center (JC’s) can se found here http://www.istanbuljazz.com/eng/

Nardis, Galata

Nardis is a tiny smoky jazz club with red brick wall and narrow space; Cosy and genuine jazzy atmosphere. Nardis is situated just around the corner from the Galata Tower in Galata, walk down from Tünel in Beyoglu.http://www.nardisjazz.com


Bilde hentet fra Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/zhivago/85562676/

Jazz Cafe Istanbul, Beyoglu

In the area around Büyük Parmak sokak, a side street of the Istiklal Street, many small bars and music bars are found. You will also find a couple of jazz cafés here, for example this one: http://www.jazzcafeistanbul.com


Other famous music clubs in Istanbul

Babylon, Beyoglu

Babylon is maybe the most well-known music club in Istanbul, with many different kinds of music and artists; Anything from hip hop to electronica, Marianne Faithful and 1980’s music parties. If you are going to Istanbul soon, check here what’s on in Babylon: http://www.babylon.com.tr/english/default.aspx


Hayal Kahvesi, Beyoglu

In a side street of Istiklal, not far from Jazz Cafe Istanbul as mentioned above, you find good old Hayal Kahvesi. It is a typical pub or café with brick walls and small tables, but after dark live music starts. This was the first place I heard real Turkish rock. http://www.hayalkahvesibeyoglu.com/


Photo by Hakan Selvi fromhttp://pt.trekearth.com/gallery/Middle_East/Turkey/Marmara/Istanbul/Cubuklu/

Hayal Kahvesi, Cubuklu

The same café has a ”department” in the Asian side of Istanbul, just alongside the Bosphorus. Here you can sit outside by the sea or lie down on pillows and listen to music and have drink under the stars. How to get there: Take a bus or a taxi along the seaside road by the Bosphorus until you are in the curve between Istinye and Yeniköy. Get off by the petrol station (Petrol Ofisi). Cross the road and look for a small boat with a sign ”Hayal Kahvesi”. Take the boat straight across the Bosphorus to the café.http://www.hayalkahvesi.com.tr/index.php


Roxy, Beyoglu

Popular club with live music or party’s. Check: http://www.roxy.com.tr

If you are interested to experience the fantastic mixture of music which Istanbul consists of, watch Fatih Akin’s movie "Crossing the bridge - The sound of Istanbul".

And check out all the cool Turkish music at the side of my Blog!