Istanbul’s leading live music venue. Fashioned from the bones of the historic Bomonti brewery, the new Babylon venue may be bigger than its former space in Asmalımescit, but it still maintains an intimate atmosphere. The venue hits all the right notes for an industrial-chic vibe: exposed brick, high ceilings, a wall full of windows. From September to May you have your pick of indie, rock, jazz and electronic gigs, mostly starting after 9 pm.

Now that it’s part of the larger Bomontiada complex, arrive early to see one of the rotating exhibitions at Alt, the gallery space below Babylon, and then enjoy some fine dining at Kilimanjaro, an adjacent restaurant whose showpiece is a stunning aviary-inspired bar.