Monkey Istanbul

At sunset DJs play lounge, ethnic house and nu-jazz, shifting toward melodic house, Afro house, indie dance and remixes closer to midnight. Local DJs play continuously every evening, and sunset gradually becomes an open-air party.

On the top floor of the arts-focused İKSV building, a wooden deck and modern open-air bar frame the Golden Horn and old Istanbul. The setting is romantic at sunset and grows energetic as the night moves on.

A stylish rooftop cocktail bar overlooking the historic peninsula and Golden Horn, moving smoothly from early-evening conversations and good cocktails to music and club-like dancing.

Adult groups of friends wishing to watch Golden Horn sunsets with cocktails, then continue into music and dancing.

Şişhane's creative terrace style works: a current shirt, simple dress or polished city shoes. Leave beachwear and sports-training clothes at home.

At Monkey Istanbul, the orange of sunset spreads across the water and the opposite shore. On the covered terrace, guests standing side by side fill the space around the small tables. Under warm lighting, people spend time close together. As darkness falls, the city's reflections on the water become clearer, and the view keeps changing throughout the evening.

Monkey Istanbul receives positive feedback—particularly from groups of friends—for its sunset and city views, energetic DJ sets, and pleasant open-air setting. While many praise the cocktails and attentive staff, others find the drinks lackluster or overly diluted with ice. The most frequent complaint concerns overcrowding, with the small venue admitting more guests than its capacity allows; issues such as a lack of seating, cramped conditions, and staff struggling to keep up during peak times can detract from the experience. Since reservations are not accepted, arriving early is recommended. A visitor claimed that security was slow to intervene in a fight that broke out during the night. Criticisms were also raised regarding prices, the limited snack selection, and inadequate heating.