Job Discussion Forums

big3bc · Joined: 27 Oct 2007 Posts: 132 Location: Turkey

Apparently, none of the forty or so people who have read my thread have ever gone out in Istanbul.
It has always amazed me that the only way to get a reply here at Dave's is to have a question about money, or else give people a chance to gripe by mentioning the name English Time. Then, responses seem to come out of the woodwork.

jamessmart50 · Joined: 14 Nov 2005 Posts: 91 Location: Istanbul, Turkey

Well - it's just a very broad question that could take a long time to answer. I expect 40 people read it and thought - lived here 11 years and has never gone out? Sounds weird, that.

Listener · Joined: 17 Jun 2005 Posts: 140 Location: Istanbul

I've been here half as long as him, and only recently started going out... but then i have the kid factor going on Smile

TeachEnglish · Joined: 09 Feb 2005 Posts: 239

I don't know much about good pubs, clubs, and venues here because I have found the ones that I have been to were just overpriced dumps. The only advice i can offer is to tell your friend if he is out walking around, alone, especially on the European side in the Taksim area, don't speak to strangers and if they offer to take him to a nice place to drink something and meet women, he should run! Otherwise, he might find himself in a dive drinking a $400 fanta or something. Yes, it is the oldest con in the book.. and it seems to happen quite often.
There is a place in Kadikoy where expats and Engish speaking Turks meet and I think it is Teachers' bar or something like that.

Good luck

Listener · Joined: 17 Jun 2005 Posts: 140 Location: Istanbul

Well now, if he's GONNA go to kadife sokak, then Isis is muuuuuch better and has a better class of expat and repat. and if the weather is nice the garden is awesome.

Oh and the garden at Viktor Levi right around the corner is even better...

big3bc · Joined: 27 Oct 2007 Posts: 132 Location: Turkey

Thanks for the suggestions. I have been to that English pub in Kadik�y before. It seemed to be a place for Turks to come and practice their English.
I would never send my friend to Taksim unescorted.
Have any of you ever been to Bahdat (I'm sure I'm mispelling the word) Street? I have heard there are some good places there.
In answer to the one poster's remark, I am the type who prefers to stay at home and have a drink instead of going out to a pub. I was also married to a nondrinker for 6 years. Prior to that, I went out quite often in Bahcesehir, where our group was regularly overcharged because we were foreigners. We also frequently had to deal with the bowls of nuts put at our table which were left untouched, yet we were charged for.
Have any of you ever gotten a free beer or for that matter, anything free at a Turkish pub? In the US, it is customary for a customer to get a free drink after he has bought several,especially if the said person is a regular. It's good for business, and for the bartender. I tried to explain the concept to a Turkish bar owner. It was way above his head.

fishmb · Joined: 08 Jul 2009 Posts: 184 Location: Istanbul

I read your thread and have never been to Turkey - leave in two weeks.

teacherdude · Joined: 13 Sep 2004 Posts: 260

coffeespoonman · Joined: 04 Feb 2005 Posts: 512 Location: At my computer...

Free beers in the US? I've never heard of that. The only place I ever got free beers was a bar where my roommate was working.

However, they do have the "yolluk" in Turkey, which is, essentially, "one for the road". It's a small wine glass full of beer - ask for it next time you get the check. At least if you're in a friendly place.

BTW, Teacher's pub is crap. Maybe it was for teachers and students years ago, but it's just a loud, dirty little hole now. As the other poster said, Isis and Viktor Levi have the best atmospheres in Kadik�y.

Listener · Joined: 17 Jun 2005 Posts: 140 Location: Istanbul

Hmmm, I've never gotten free drinks in either country. Maybe I should wear a lower neckline or something.

Kadikoy isn't really a place to bring a guest, though, unless they are really interested in "daily life" hanging out (though some people are, including me) .... If you want to wow them, I'd have to say European side. Beyoglu, Cihangir, Ortakoy all have places that aren't cheap but faily nice and won't totally break the bank.

I'd be interested to hear where people go dancing, though....

The few times I have gone out I have liked Araf and Mono love 80s music), also been to Riddim and Reina, neither of which I thought was "all that"....

big3bc · Joined: 27 Oct 2007 Posts: 132 Location: Turkey

I don't know where you guys have enjoyed cocktails in the US. I am from a small city with lots of little corner bars. Most of the bartenders in these places are folks older than 65, and will gladly give you a free beer just to have someone to shoot the breeze with. Of course, you must have already bought several beforehand. It's usually up to the owner. Some are okay with the freebies; others forbid free ones, and buy everyone at the bar a drink when he/she enters the premises.

Listener · Joined: 17 Jun 2005 Posts: 140 Location: Istanbul

Ahhh I see, corner bars in a small city. Absolutely charming but not my environment....

But I've never gotten em here either Wink

Otterman Ollie · Posted: Mon Sep 14, 2009 7:39 am Post subject:

Yes free beer is there to be had if you actually go out and spend money in one of the many overpriced establishments and make friends with the barman. I think that is a universal truth whereever you are, not just Turkey and the States.
Get out the house, switch off the tv, step outside and get a life!

Listener · Joined: 17 Jun 2005 Posts: 140 Location: Istanbul

It would be awfully boring to go to the same bar long enough to incur free beerage, doncha think?

Otterman Ollie · Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2009 10:39 am Post subject:

Only if the only attraction is the free beer!