guides

  • CLUBS IN ISTANBUL

  • Unabashed hedonists, the Turks' sincere enjoyment of the pleasures of the table is equalled by their appreciation of drinking, dancing and showing off - accordingly, Istanbul's clubs are both dense and varied.

    At the glittering, conspicuous consumption end of the market Istanbul's clubs effortlessly match their Mediterranean rivals in St Tropez and Beirut, albeit with a less international clientele. With their own significant tranche of the super-rich the Turks haven't yet got round to importing other peoples'.
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    • Reina

    • REINA

      • Open: 7pm-4am daily mid-May to mid-Oct
      • Muallim Naci Caddesi 44, Kuruçesme
      • +90 212 259 5919
      • www.reina.com.tr
    • Leila used to be king of Istanbul's nightclub hill but has now become Sortie, lost some of its brand value and so surrendered the meritoriously glittering, fake tiara of victory to Reina. With its Bosphorus waterfront venue, its confusing array of expensive 'guest' restaurants and bars in Istanbul, and last, but certainly not least (and in fact first, in that it's plastered over the entrance), its enormous hoarding, touchingly depicting a red Porsche sports coupé, Reina has the all necessary attributes of leadership. It's large, expensive and enormously popular with Istanbul's celeb-party crowd. The design is plush-minimal, cream furniture, black stone small decorative fireplaces that look as if they are from British Gas's Contemporary Range. But the décor isn't really the main attraction. For the etiquette of mating rituals in expensive Istanbul clubs, see entry for Anjelique above. Finally, as with Anjelique, if you have a yacht you can avoid the front-door heavies and glide into Reina's own dockings bays (ring ahead to reserve your berth).
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