Born and bred in Istanbul, Debora Ipekel worked for years in the London music industry, organising parties and booking DJs from all around the globe. A stint working at Soho’s Sounds of the Universe record store kickstarted her own career as a DJ, which took her to restaurants and bars the world over. She then moved back to Istanbul where she met chef Cenk Debensason (now her husband), with whom she set up Arkestra. The restaurant unites their respective passions of food and music to create the city’s coolest spot where you can eat Michelin-starred food and listen to sensational tunes all night long. Here, she shares the best places to hear great music in her hometown.
Taproomx
Taproomx is a brewery and listening bar rolled into one. It serves some of the best beers in Istanbul and there’s a short, easy-going food menu. It’s not usually a place to dance, but there is a DJ booth and they book local selectors and record collectors every day. The music programme is very eclectic: you can hear anything from jazz to experimental music to funk and all sorts of other stuff. It’s in Beyoğlu, which is a really vibrant and young area. I would definitely recommend checking it out.
Asmalı Mescit, Jurnal Sk. No:4, 34430 Beyoğlu; taproomx.com
Arkaoda
Arkaoda is in Kadıköy, which is a youthful, vibrant neighbourhood in the Asian part of the city. The bar has two floors; downstairs is where the DJs play, which during the week is quite chill, and at the weekend it gets livelier. They also book local and international DJs who have a very open-minded approach to music. Upstairs, they have a very intimate and small live music room where they book local acts and underground international bands; John Maus and Hype Williams have both played there. They also have a sister bar in Berlin.
Caferağa, Kadife Sk. No:18/A, 34710 Kadıköy; arkaoda.com
The Listening Room at Arkestra
The Listening Room is upstairs from Arkestra. It has a great hi-fi system and every day local record collectors play different kinds of music, ranging from funk and soul to disco, reggae, hip hop, jazz and all sorts of stuff from all around the world. The philosophy of the place is all about feel-good sounds and nice cocktails at the bar.
Etiler, Dilhayat Sk. No:28, 34337 Beşiktaş
Listen to Debora’s tunes and eat Cenk’s food at Arkestra, Etiler, Dilhayat Sk. No:28, 34337 Beşiktaş; arkestra.com.tr
David Annand is editorial director of Secret Trips
