Your guide to the best Istanbul gay bars, LGBT venues and events

Let's start with the obvious - Istanbul is stunning. The skyline is full of minarets and domes, punctuated by the magnificent Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. But there's more to Istanbul than its postcard-worthy sights. The city is a blend of connecting neighborhoods, each with its own flair and flavor, from the hipster cafes of Cihangir to the bustling bazaars of the Grand Bazaar, where you can try out your haggling skills.

The LGBTQ+ scene is steeped in its home country’s history and culture, especially around the Taksim Square area, where the best Istanbul gay bars are located. Unfortunately, Istanbul is not as liberal as it once was 15 - 20 years ago, but Türkiye has had quite an interesting/semi-strange relationship with homosexuality (think: a history of “straight” men having gay relationships).

Our comprehensive list of the best gay bars in Istanbul

Pinokyo

A beloved gem just off Istiklal Avenue. Perched on the 1st floor, this lively venue is your ticket to a night of live Turkish music, electrifying DJ sets, and fabulous drag performances. Weekends are a riot here, drawing in a delightful mix of both gay and straight revelers who come together for an unforgettable night out.

Rocinante Cafe & Bar 

Has re-emerged as a trendy hotspot for the LGBTQ+ community. Located on the 2nd floor of Ogut Sokak in Beyoglu, this intimate venue is perfect for a pre-party tipple, especially between 10 pm and 1 am. With its cozy atmosphere and a lineup of live music and eclectic shows, it’s one of the trending Istanbul queer bar spots.

Mor Kedi 

Offers a cozy, casual vibe that attracts a young, local crowd looking to start their night off right. By day, it’s a great spot for a coffee, but as the evening rolls in, so does the music and the buzz. Enjoy great food, drinks, and a friendly atmosphere that makes everyone feel at home.

TEKYÖN Club

One of the best Istanbul gay clubs. Open every night, this fun-filled dance club draws a lively mix of locals and tourists. Weekday and Sunday drag shows are a highlight, but come Friday and Saturday, the dance floor is the place to be. With an open-air garden perfect for cruisy fun and smoking, and occasional BayBears Club events, TEKYÖN is where the party never stops.

SuperFabric 

A pulsating LGBTQ+ nightclub known for its mixed crowd and themed parties. With top-notch DJs, dazzling performers, and energetic go-go dancers, this modern venue boasts a killer sound system that’s well worth the cover charge on weekend nights.

Cheeky Club

Where the real cheeky fun begins. This after-hours hotspot doesn’t get going until around 3 am, making it the ultimate destination for late-night revelers. Expect thumping house and techno music, a jam-packed dance floor, and go-go dancers adding to the fray. For those feeling adventurous, there’s even a dark room to explore.

For the LGBTQ+ community, Istanbul is a city of contrasts. It's important to note that while Türkiye is a secular country, it's also a place where traditional values hold sway strongly, especially outside the cosmopolitan bubbles. The legal status of LGBTQ+ individuals in Türkiye is somewhat complex. There are no laws specifically protecting LGBTQ+ rights, and same-sex relationships, while not illegal, are not widely accepted. However, it is recommended to avoid same-sex kissing and public displays of affection due to legal prohibitions of ‘offenses against public morality,’ which have been used to persecute locals.

Despite this, Istanbul gay bars, queer clubs, and LGBTQ+ cafes are growing, particularly in areas like Beyoğlu and Kadıköy. Gay events like Istanbul Pride have been banned but continue to demonstrate the resilience and vibrancy of the LGBTQ+ community in the city. In 2023, Pride marchers still demonstrated, however, over 100 attendees were detained (and released a few hours later), so be aware of your surroundings and what places you visit while in the city. Istanbul is still an amazing city to explore, just be very aware of your actions in public. Below is our comprehensive list of the best gay bars in Istanbul:

The base of the former Byzantine and Ottoman Empires, Istanbul is a unique fusion of culture, cuisine, and facets as the European and Asian sides are divided by the Bosphorus Strait. The sights here in Istanbul take you back to historic Constantinople with grand mosques, palaces, ancient markets, with a past that’s been shaped over the centuries by various groups, such as the Persians, Greeks, Romans, and Ottomans. You can also make short trips to nearby Bursa, Troy, and The Princes' Islands if you have time to journey outside the city. Here are some of our top picks for places to visit while in Istanbul.

Fabulous spots to see while in Istanbul

• Chora Church - A medieval Greek Orthodox church, used as a mosque since the 16th century, in the Edirnekapı neighborhood of Istanbul. Church is famous for its amazing late-Byzantine mosaics and frescoes.
• Dolmabahçe Palace - Dolmabahçe Palace is the largest palace in all of Türkiye, with an area of 45,000 m2 (11.1 acres). The palace is known for the gorgeous Iznik tiles and Ottoman carvings, and the massive amount of the building decorated with gold and crystal. It is fabulous!
• Istanbul Archaeological Museums - The museums are a group of three archaeological museums located in the Eminönü quarter of Istanbul, near Gülhane Park. If you love archaeology and ancient artifacts, we highly recommend this!
• Topkapi Palace Museum - Topkapi Palace is one of the world's largest surviving palaces, built between 1460 and 1478. The palace served as the home of the Ottoman Sultans for almost four hundred years and even has a harem section. Oh, my.

Take chances to get off the beaten path, too, at places like the eerily beautiful Basilica Cistern (Subterranean Palace), which is the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns that lie beneath the city of Istanbul or stepping up for a scrub down at a Turkish bath or hammam.

For our recommended day trip outside of Istanbul, hop on a ferry to The Princes’ Islands – a charming archipelago of 9 islands in the Sea of Marmara. The journey, lasting between 60 - 90 minutes, transports you to a world where lush pine forests and quaint wooden Victorian cottages reign supreme. Motor vehicles are a no-go here, so you'll be exploring these picturesque islands by horse-drawn carriage or bicycle. It’s the perfect spot to unwind and soak up some tranquility, loved by both locals and tourists alike.

Now on to the delectable delight that is Turkish food! Istanbul's food scene will make all your taste buds rejoice. From street-side kebabs to upscale meze restaurants, the flavors are divine. And let's not forget the Turkish delights (make sure to try the rosewater and pistachio!) and baklava – sweet treats that are almost too pretty to eat. Almost. Just kidding, eat them all!

Istanbul is a city that invites you to embrace its contradictions. It's a place where history rubs shoulders with modernity, where the call to prayer mixes with the beat of nightclub music, and where the LGBTQ+ community, while facing challenges, finds pockets of joy and acceptance.

Even on a long visit to Istanbul, you’ll probably barely scratch the surface of all there is to explore. But once you get your first taste, you will want to come back to explore even more of what Istanbul, Türkiye has to offer.