Efendi

WHAT: Neighbourhood Cocktail Bar

Barely noticeable from the street if you pass by during the day; at night you'll find a tell-tale traffic of people around its entrance. Located on a side street in the residential Topağcı neighbourhood, this small, somewhat undistinguished bar has been attracting an untiring and ever growing local clientele since day one. In my experience, few places in Istanbul make really good cocktails... and this is one of these rare spots. It's one cocktail "master" and not a flexible one at that; but leave it to him he know what to do and his signature cocktails will have you drinking some more. The quality can be measured by the lack of a hangover the day after and to top everything off, the prices are reasonable. What more can you ask for!

(*Recommended: Any of the signature cocktails; "Serendipity" being the most renowned.)

OCCASION: After work or after dinner drinks.

ENVIRONMENT: It's a very narrow little space so it tends to get very crowded. The "outdoor" area in front for smokers holds several people only which is why the crowd tends to spill out onto the sidewalk... There is a more spacious downstairs for lounging however the upstairs (next to the bar ofcourse) is the place to be.

AMBIANCE: Mix of people but generally in their 20-30s. Laid-back but lively.

STYLE: As you feel comfortable.

LOCATION: Topağcı - Teşvikiye, Istanbul