Poets, improv actors, musicians and storytellers all feature at this multilingual open-mike night that draws a lively young crowd of expats and Turks each week to watch, listen and mingle. Show up early if you want to try and get a performance slot, or just sit back and enjoy a window into one of İstanbul’s alternative scenes.
The venue, Arsen Lüpen bar, is located on the top-floor terrace of a multi-storey building and has no street-level signage, giving it a bit of speakeasy vibe. Enter through Address Bab-ı Ali Cafe Bar on the ground floor.