Istanbul can have its overwhelming days. The encroachment of the spirit occurs when sitting in traffic, with only a sea of blinking red tail lights ahead. Perhaps it occurs when the noise storm of the excessive, and usually unnecessary, use of car horns speaks of an oncoming headache, or when the army of crowds squeeze through the small metro doors. Sometimes, like all love affairs, some pain must be endured, and the love one feels for Istanbul, needs at times, to be reinforced.  

That is when the escape to a particular hilltop on Ulus, with a full view of the Bosporus and the bridge, comes in. It is Ulus29 we are speaking of, the small getaway of a restaurant, bar, and club, all in one. Apart from a fantastic selection of food and wine (see our previous article), the famous venue is also a welcomed escape for a drink (or two or more), while the noise of the city is mute and traffic is only a far away flicker of red on the beautiful expanse of the bridge.  

Responsible for the design of Ulus29 is Zeynep Fadıllıoğlu, a world famous interior designer, and the Terrace Bar to the left of the entrance is a modern space of white and black minimalism. Eye catching is a chandelier made of specially produced glass that hangs down like a frozen shot of a rain storm illuminated by the varying colors of highlighted alcohol bottles filling the wall behind the bar.

The Terrace Bar also has an outside area for those who prefer to have a smoke with their drink, and speaking of drinks, the cocktail menu is wholly varied. Drinks include the sweet disposition of a well mixed Amaretto Sour, the darker hues of a Ginseng Martini, the Summer mix of the Mango Mojito, and the subtle spice of the Wasabi Ice, among many other options classic and original.

After midnight the club area, located in the back, after walking through a snaking hallway, is a dark red space where the music is a little louder, the crowd a little more dense, and the dance floor full of those ready to shake off some of the weekday burdens to a mix of R&B, funk, hip-hop and Turkish pop. The club closes for the summer between May 19th and September 15th.  A. Adnan Saygun Caddesi Ulus Parkı İç; P: (0212) 358 29 29