Istanbul has always been a unique city. It is a city split between two continents: Europe & Asia, and for thousands of years was the center of trade routes including the silk road and various naval routes. This has led to Istanbul becoming a blend of various people, cultures, and religions.
One of the most diverse areas of town is Istanbul’s Old City, also called Sultanahmet. Here you will find many important sites such as The Hagia Sofia, The BlueMosque, Topkapı Palace, and The Grand Bazaar. But you will also discover amazing restaurants with cuisine from all around the world as well as a few places to grab a drink.
During our time in Istanbul, we wandered around the Old City of Sultanahmet in search of different bars that offered friendly service, a good atmosphere, and reasonably priced drinks. And after 5 days in the city, we found a few!
So if you are looking for an alcoholic drink in Istanbul’s Old City of Sultanahmet, here are the top five options!
1. The Seven Hills Hotel Rooftop
Seven Hills Hotel has two locations in Istanbul. The one you want to visit is just South of Hagia Sophia, maybe a quarter of a mile walk. We actually stayed at the hotel during our time in Istanbul and loved it. Their roof restaurant has some of the best views of Hagia Sophia and The Blue Mosque. Go at sunset to take in the views of the mosques’ domes lit up by the sun setting over the Bosphorus.
If you are looking for a good breakfast, they serve a fantastic spread! You can always get a few drinks and make it into a fun brunch if you would like. Nothing beats mimosas and beautiful views.
Website: https://www.sevenhillshotel.com/
2. Pierre Loti Hotel’s Loti Roof Lounge
For a fancy night out, go to the roof lounge of the Pierre Loti Hotel. After a long evening of shopping in the Grand Bazaar, we were desperate to find a place to relax and unwind. As we were walking home, we looked up and saw the glimmering lights of this hotel bar and figured it was worth checking out. It has an amazing view overlooking the roof of the Grand Bazaar and you can see all the way to Galata Tower.
The roof lounge is enclosed, so it is a great place to warm up during the summer or chill out during the winter. They have a full bar and can make anything you want. I got one of my favorites: Whiskey Sour!
Website: https://www.pierrelotihotel.com/
3. The Kybele Hotel
We stayed in Istanbul for 5 days and 4 nights. And during that time, we visited the Kybele Hotel 3 times. We just happened to walk by our first night and grab a few drinks. Istanbul isn’t as cheap as some areas of Europe or Asia, but Kybele offers strong drinks at a cheap price. We came back the second day for lunch, which was great, and a few more drinks. Then our very last night in the city we went back for the full dinner experience.
Kybele has a great atmosphere. Even during December, we were able to sit outside and enjoy ourselves. They also have a few friendly cats who you can’t help but pull into your lap and offer some pets. I would say this is my favorite place we visited for food and drinks. The view isn’t as impressive as Seven Hills or Loti, but the atmosphere, prices, and quality were unbeatable.
Website: http://www.kybelehotel.com/
4. Just Bar
One night in Istanbul, we wanted to truly “go out”. In December, partying isn’t as common as it is in Istanbul during the summer. However, Just Bar always has something going on. Heated street seating during the winter and open-air tables during the summer make it a great place to spend a lazy afternoon or night of singing and dancing.
Like any bar, Just Bar is busiest on the weekend (or during a soccer match). If that’s your thing, you know when to visit! If you are looking for a quieter evening, avoid it during those times.
Website: https://just-bar-bar.business.site/
5. Rounders Irish Pub
Rounders isn’t your traditional Irish pub. It feels like all the other Turkish bars and restaurants, but it does have a great staff filled with Irish hospitality. We loved chatting with the bartenders and staff when we visited. They were extremely friendly and happy to give us some advice on where to eat, what to see, and what time everything opens.
The drinks weren’t bad either! A good assortment of beer and a full bar meant you can find anything you want to wet your tongue. We didn’t eat here, but we saw the food and it smelled and looked delicious.
Istanbul isn’t Ibiza, but it can still host a fun night out on the town. The lovely diversity of the city makes for a lot of amazing places to grab a drink. As always, drink responsibly!
Be sure to check out more destinations on the blog here!
Hi!
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