Kybele Bar

About this place Kybele Bar

Kybele Bar takes its name from the Anatolian mother goddess — a figure with specific resonance in Turkish LGBTQ+ culture, associated with the historical Galli (gender-nonconforming priests of Kybele in the ancient world). The bar is in Tophane, at the foot of the Beyoğlu hill where it meets the Bosphorus — a neighbourhood that has gentrified around its concentration of contemporary art galleries and is less tourist-saturated than Cihangir. The venue is intimate and decorated with local art; the crowd is predominantly Turkish gay men in their 30s and 40s who prefer a less internationally-oriented environment. Good cocktails, occasional art events, and a staff who are genuinely invested in the space. The Tophane location is a 15-minute walk from Cihangir or accessible from Karaköy by the Tünel funicular. Best on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.