Tango in Istanbul

It might surprise you - but Istanbul has a very good, lively tango scene and it's one of the reasons I love going there.

During my last trips I visited many milongas, alone or with a friend. And I danced a lot! Turkish dancers also ask women to dance if they don't know them and many of them speak some English, French or even German.

There is at least one milonga every night (it can be a bit slower in the Summer months). You can find a lot of information about this in the Internet. Here are some milongas that I have been to myself. Most of them go until 1 AM during the week and longer on the weekend.

There are also several tango festivals through the year. A friend of mine told me that there were a lot more women than men during a festival, so ladies should bring their partner along.

There is a popular milonga on Monday by Tangotürk at the Armada Hotel in Sultanahmet.

On Tuesday at the "My House" in Siraselviler Caddesi No. 35/4 you will find a very nice milonga by Tangoist on the back side of the restaurant with a great view over Istanbul at night.

The "333 Milonga" takes place every Wednesday and Saturdayon Siraselviler Caddesi No. 33 on the 3rd floor, organized by Istanbultango.

The place to be on Thursday is "TangoPoint" by Milongatörat the Hotel Point, Topcu Caddesi No. 2. See picture

One of the several milongas on Friday is a bit further out, by the metro station 4. Levent, organized by Tangotürk.
Levent Tenis Klubu, Akasyali sok, No:3 (walk or take a taxi from the station). Dance with a view on tennis courts :-)

There are several milongas on Saturday, for example:

BailaTango, right on Istiklal Caddesi, on the top florr of the building where MAC Cosmetics has a store. Through the week it's Metin Yasir's dance school.

Club la Cumparsita, Ortaklar Cad. 40, metro station Sisli, Mecidiyeköy

One of my favourite milongas is the one on Sunday at the Ponte restaurant on Istiklal Caddesi. Take the elevator to the 7th floor for another milonga with a view.

Want something more personal AND inexpensive? Go and see Istanbul's most famous tango shoe maker, Necmi Usta. He speaks ONLY Turkish, but some pantomime, drawings and a calculator will help. Often there are also other customers around who can help to translate.

Shoes cost around 120 YTL for standard models up to 240 YTL for special designs.

I had many shoes made there, some with materials that I brought or after my own drawings.

His workshop is close to Istiklal Caddesi as well. At Benetton go down the Mis Sokak, the entrance will be to your left.
Mis Sok., Mis Gurkan Han No. 7, 5. Stock

Best let your reception call him first to make sure that he is there. Official opening hours are 8:00 - 20:00.
Tel. 0533 446 64 25
necmiusta.azbuz.com
Watch him at work on Youtube.

If you don't have much time, Necmi can mail the shoes to you. This always worked well for me, sometimes it can take a while though.