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Istanbul’s best venues to watch a game!

Venues that pulsate with the excitement of a stadium...

Written by
Time Out Istanbul editors
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We wanted to partake in the excitement that surrounds game days so we prepared this list of venues to enjoy the game with friends! 

Best venues to watch a game

Chocolate Kalamış
  • Restaurants
  • Kalamış

Chocolate’s Kalamış branch features a bar to the right when you enter with long bar tables and dinner tables one-step above. The brass reliefs on the ceiling are illuminated with spotlights, catching your eye as your walk in.

Hard Rock Cafe
  • Restaurants
  • İstiklal Caddesi

Are you ready to enjoy 90 exciting minutes at the Hard Rock Café? The venue’s unique design concept for Istanbul was inspired by the two different continents and coexistence of different cultures. In addition to eating and drink, Hard Rock Café is a popular meeting place and special events venues. The Istanbul branch can be called a rock legend thanks to its stage, bars, private rooms, and terrace. We recommend making a reservation before the game. 

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Havelka
  • Restaurants
  • Caddebostan

Broadcasting games on 5 separate floors is an important feature of this popular venue among those who live in Caddebostan. Each floor has its own giant screen. Some of the most memorable decoration details would be the wooden tables and vibrant posters on the walls. Keeping up with Havelka’s energy means playing games until the match starts. 

Maçkolik Complex
  • Bars and pubs
  • Kadıköy

Maçkolik is probably the only complex where you can watch a game in Istanbul. Located next to the Fenerbahçe Şükrü Saraçoğlu Stadium the venue features private rooms where you can watch games, a large number of high-definition TVs, projection screens, and interior design that creates the atmosphere of a game. Watching a tournament that is held every four years at this venue is priceless. 

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  • Sport and fitness
  • Beşiktaş

Located within Kanyon MAC, the café doors are open to not only gym members but all football fans. However, it is filled with familiar faces from the gym. The game is projected on a screen with a high quality sound system. This is an ideal venue for those who want to enjoy a game in a calmer and less crowded environment. 

  • Restaurants
  • Taksim

If the center of Istanbul is Taksim, then the most popular place to watch a game in Taksim would be Me Gusta. After you walk down a few steps you are greeted with a bright atmosphere with high ceilings and lots of mirrors. The venue features a long bar table in the middle, comfortable booths in the corners and an open kitchen. On important game days they feature the game on two large projectors on both floors. The 280-capacity venue is usually full to the brim on game days. You’re likely to get lost in the expansive menu.  

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Ortaköy Kahvesi
  • Restaurants
  • Ortaköy

As you climb the stairs of the café you’ll notice that each floor is quaint, charming and gives off the comforts of home. There is always the aroma of hookah. Thus there is every flavor of hookah imaginable, from apple to melon, coconut and mint. Each floor has a great view but the terrace features an expansive view of the Esma Sultan Mansion, Ortaköy Mosque, and Bosphorus. Every floor, except for the terrace, features plasma TVs and because the space is small the TV screen is enough to accommodate everyone. The venue, which hosts many students from surrounding high schools and universities, is popular for its tea-coffee-hookah combination. Take a seat on whichever floor you want and enjoy the rare combination of watching a game across from a beautiful view. 

Public House
  • Bars and pubs
  • Asmalımescit

This is a venue ideal for large groups who want to chat the night away. For those who don’t want to hang out in a pub atmosphere or watch the game, the venue features live music programs as well. 

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Polat Champions Bar&Restaurant
  • Restaurants
  • Bakırköy

Champions The American Sports Bar Restaurant is the most popular venue to watch a game in Yeşilyurt. Located within the Polat Renaissance the 2-storey venue is spread over a total area of 1,500 m2, including the balcony. Inside you can find pool tables, electronic games, pinball machines, darts, and giant screens. Every corner of the interior is adorned with Turkish or international sports memorabilia or photographs. 

The North Shield
  • Restaurants
  • Kadıköy

When your favorite team is playing, no matter what part of the city you’re in there is bound to be a North Shield nearby. On game days every branch is full to the brim. The portions are large and we recommend ordering the light Mexican flavors like the Argentinian steak and nachos and quesadilla. 

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