Well I jumped at the chance when someone said last night - Let's go to the cheapest beer place in Istanbul! I was expecting a right sh1thole however - it's not that bad and the music is probably just what GeordieDave is looking for!

Beer - YTL2.25 a glass (small glass mind you)
Music - alternative
Toilet - one that I saw - bit smelly but not dirty
Doorman - not smelly but very dirty
Servicing - better than average

I'm going to try it out on a weekend night after the summer to see if it gets really nasty but overall - not as bad as I expected! Plus they serve vodka!

Charly, what happened to your swearing off alcohol because you were at death's door due to alcohol poisoning???

I've cut down!

I only drank half a beer on the boat trip (don't like beer) plus 3 vodka and oranges (felt sick after those - must have been the orange juice! Never mix my vodka!)

hey hey, now we're talking that's my old hide out, that and the montreal bar down the road on the way to babylon. 45 has some great music nights, not really sure why some people knock it so badly.

Yeah I drink in much worse places.
Montreal is just about under Nexus - a fat lady is often sitting outside - I've seen her naked! Quite an experience.

Where exactly is 45lik relative to Babylon? Do you pass it when coming off Istiklal?

I often drop into Pasifica (near Babylon) for cheap beer as well. I think it's 2.50 for a 35cl glass. The manager's a really decent guy, too. (Named Ulaş, I think.)

ooops. Actually I meant to ask where Montreal is and what kind of music do they have. Format? Live?

Under Nexus to the right - ello!
45lik is just down towards Cihangir/French Street from Galatasaray Sq.

montreal bar is just random cd's being played. i like the atmosphere. 3 YTL efes and tavla boards music : ambient, lounge, moby, buddha bar type stuff. ok food too

I used to go to 45'lik all the time. Disgusting bathrooms though, but they're well compensated for the outstanding Clint Eastwood mural over the bar.