Living as a hipster in Istanbul
Petra Roasting Co.

Use this guide to find autenthic hipster experiences in Istanbul, as it shows you all the favorite hipster spots for eating, shopping and dancing



The state of mind that values independent thinking, counter culture and the appreciation of art along with creativity and intelligence is classified under the term "hipsterism" in the 21st century. Just like most metropolitan cities around the world, Istanbul has its fair share of hipsters and they influence the mainstream culture of the locals. These pioneers and leaders of the latest cultural trends value the importance of music, art and fashion. Whether it be the new cafe, the latest art gallery opening or even the coolest clubs and hangouts around the city, hipsters are everywhere. Here are the top spots in the city for those who want to eat, dress, hangout and dance like hipsters.Where to eat:A dainty little cafe with bohemian charm, Karabatak is a funky and fun coffee house that opened in the summer of 2011. The neighborhood favorite among the locals with a range of foods to choose from, such as a filling sandwich or a tasty desert, his cafe is a must-see in Istanbul. The soft jazz music and vintage furnishings give the cafe a nostalgic atmosphere as your eyes wander up and down the pages of magazines and catalogues scattered throughout the place. Whether it's grabbing a bite with friends or sitting down with a laptop to get your work done, Karabatak is your place.Nestled in-between the cozy cafes of Karaköy, DanDin Bakery is one of the most popular bakeries in the area. With a fresh and inviting mint green theme, this special, Scandinavian-style bakery has places to sit and enjoy breakfast and other treats. The open kitchen at the back of the bakery allows you to watch the chefs while they prepare your food, which can be quite interesting as they offer customers the harder-to-find treats in Istanbul. Their menu ranges from avocado on toast with different cheeses to a variety of muffins, cookies, scones and shortbreads.Where to drink:Petra Roasting Co. coffee shop, located inside the Muse Istanbul Art Gallery, is a warm and friendly place to enjoy delicious coffee. The design of the gallery is just as warm as the coffee they serve, with cement walls meeting warm wood furniture giving the basement-like gallery a modern yet vintage atmosphere. Kaan Bergsen, the co-founder of Petra, handpicks the beans used in the shop and handles everything from roasting to grinding to brewing. The coffee counter is situated at the back side of the gallery where you can hear the hissing and whistling of the espresso machines hard at work. The gallery itself is home to many rare collectable items along with vintage cars and boats, modern art pieces and books. Petra Roasting Co. is the perfect place to sip some coffee while absorbing the art or just reading a book.Union 22 is a combined art gallery, cafe and bar located on a quiet street in Nişantaşı. You can grab a coffee or drink at the bar and continue on to enjoy the gallery's current photography exhibition. This specially elite and hip bar/gallery offers a wide range of drinks that are interesting yet compelling, including an eggplant cocktail and many more bizarre flavors. Union 22 is an excellent place to play around with different drinks during friendly chatter.Where to dance:If you are looking for a good night of dancing and listening to some of the best DJs in Istanbul, then Kloster should be your first choice. Combining a mixture of electronic music with art, this new club is the center of nightlife in Beyoğlu. With a variety of venues, several floors and a spacious terrace, Kloster is capable of hosting 2,000 people for its nights of dancing and drinking. The club is known for hosting DJs who have gained recognition worldwide. Put on your dancing shoes and head to one of the hippest clubs in town.As the name suggests, Mini Müzikhol has a small venue to cater to those looking to meet good people and enjoy good music from both international and domestic DJs alike. Though the venue might be small, the fun is big, and hipsters head to this small yet friendly nightclub to enjoy drinks and dance all night long. The music generally starts at 11:00 p.m. though people keep flocking in until around 3:00 p.m. to enjoy the quality music this club has to offer.Where to shop:The Bomonti Flea Market, also known as Feriköy, is a heaven for second-hand and antique lovers.The Bomonti Flea Market captures the hearts of hipsters as it is the perfect place to shop for hand-me-down vintage clothes, shoes, bags and other accessories. The counters at this pop-up market are filled with small knick-knacks and collectables for those looking to find presents or simply shop for cheaper prices. Filled with passionate people both shopping and selling as well as a whole world of hobbies you've never heard of, the Bomonti Flea Market allows for meeting new people and exchanging stories. The market sets up near the old Bomonti beer factory in Bomonti every Sunday, making it the perfect weekend activity for you and your friends.Whether you are a hardcore antique lover or simply a thrifty shopper, the go-to neighborhood for vintage shopping is Çukurcuma. Nestled in the already hipster neighborhood of Cihangir, Çukurcuma is filled with twisting and turning streets that lead to shops filled to the brim with antiques. The smell of nostalgia dances in the atmosphere of the area as you go from one shop to the next. Furniture, clothes, music, accessories, collectables, hand-made goods and even little bakeries can be found in the vintage heaven that is Çukurcuma.