QUEEN BAR & CLUB & DANCING

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT ISTANBUL'S GAY LIFE
Istanbul has a considerable liberal gay life which is becoming more and more obvious each passing year. Queen Bar is located in Taksim, Beyoglu which is local night life area in general and almost all of the major gay venues are located in this neighborhood mostly along the pedestrianized Istiklal Street.

There are over 15 gay bars & clubs, several sauna and Turkish baths, cafe-shops, cinemas dotted around Taksim and Istiklal Street (Istiklal Caddesi). The nightlife continues until 4 am in the morning and it even overflows to the streets in  Summer and Saturday nights until morning light.

Homosexuality has never been illegal in Turkey, after the republic was declared in 1923 as a result of secular democracy. The problem for gay people is in fact would be because of social and cultural obsessions and the under education. But Turkey is at the turning point of this period recently and the miss-understandings and obsessions are now changing more quickly in recent years.

SECURITY
Istanbul is a safe city in comparison to other big cities of the world. Usually the main streets and central areas are safe even late at night. But remember there can be few pick-pocket incidents in the night life areas if you are not careful. Of course there is always a risk of being robbed if you go with "boys" that you do not know anything about like anywhere else in the world. Taksim Park would be the most risky place for gay men in the vicinity. You should avoid English speaking people you meet on the streets, if they want to take you to "some" bars, which means you will be overcharged. The gay venues would never overcharge you for being a foreigner but it might happen in a few straight bars near Taksim, Beyoglu and Aksaray towns. Our suggestion is to meet people in real gay venues if you are new to the city.
 

ISTANBUL GAY TRAVEL, ACCOMMODATION and GAY DATING