One important rule to remember is that purchasing alcoholic beverages after 22:00 is prohibited. This restriction has continued after the strict measures. For official and current guidance, it is best to check the Ministry of Internal Affairs website. Beyond the rules, visitors are often curious about the city’s best-known drinks, especially beer, rakı, and wine.
Buying Alcohol in Istanbul: Popular Drinks
When people talk about alcohol in Istanbul, three main beverages usually come up: beer, rakı, and wine. Each has its own place in the city’s social life and food culture.
Beer
Beer is one of the most consumed alcoholic beverages in Istanbul. Especially in summer, it is commonly enjoyed legally in outdoor areas such as beaches and parks. In the city, places around Taksim Square and waterside districts are often associated with casual drinking culture, although where you choose to drink should always be guided by current local practice and regulations.
Beer brands in Turkey include both local and international names. Among the most preferred beer brands in Istanbul are Efes Pilsen, Bomonti, Carlsberg, Tuborg, and Beck’s. Anadolu Group, which produces Efes Pilsen, Bomonti, and Beck’s, sometimes creates special series related to Istanbul, as the company was established in the city.
The products Tuborg and Carlsberg are described as being produced according to the German Purity Law. The Weihenstephan Research Center for Brewing and Food Quality of the Technical University of Munich has approved and documented these beer brands. If you want broader background on brewing traditions, you can also consult reference sources such as Britannica.
Rakı and Wine
The story of rakı and wine in Anatolia goes back 300 years. Although viticulture and winemaking were common in Constantinople, especially around monasteries, much of the wine needed by the city came in large quantities from islands such as Thasos, Crete, and Chios. Some monasteries on the Princes' Islands, especially on Büyükada and Heybeliada, were known for their exceptional wines.
It is known that the primary choice of drink in the Byzantine palace was wine, and some wines were prepared with fragrant herbs similar to today’s vermouth. Besides grapes, people also fermented fruits such as apricots, plums, dates, and figs to make fruit wines. At that time, it was legal to drink wine.
The famous brands of rakı are Yeni Rakı and Efe. Yeni Rakı is described as a full-flavored rakı with an intense green anise scent. It is commonly recommended with plain water, cold water, or mineral water. In Istanbul, it is traditional to drink rakı with fish. Drinking styles vary: some prefer it straight in a tea glass, some order doubles, and some mix it with soda.
Among the better-known wine brands are Doluca Özel Kav and Sarafin Merlot. Doluca Özel Kav is described as a dark red wine with a burgundy hue, produced from grapes in the Diyarbakır and Elazığ regions and aged in small French oak barrels for 12 months. It has a rich fruity character with aromas of vanilla and blackberry. Sarafin Merlot is known for a luscious and easy-drinking fruity character, with aging in French oak barrels giving vanilla and caramel notes. The production processes of these beverages are legal, and they can be bought from liquor stores.
Alcohol in Istanbul: Rules, Age Limit, and Pricing
General pricing of alcoholic beverages varies by size and brand. For example, rakı is usually sold in four different sizes: 35, 50, 75, and 100 cl. Each size is sold at a different price. Even if Beck’s and Carlsberg are both 50 cl, their prices may differ because they are different brands. As prices can change, it is wise to check menus, store shelves, or official brand sources for the latest information.
In Turkey, there is a legal age limit for purchasing alcoholic beverages. The person has to be 18 or older. If you are visiting major tourist areas such as the Grand Bazaar, keep in mind that alcohol rules and availability may differ from one neighborhood or venue to another, so licensed restaurants, bars, and shops are the safest places to ask.
What to Know Before You Buy
- Purchase cutoff: Alcohol cannot be purchased after 22:00.
- Legal age: You must be 18 or older to buy alcoholic beverages.
- Where to drink: Drinking may be seen in beaches, parks, homes, and on dinner cruises, depending on the setting.
- Where to buy: You can buy alcohol from liquor stores and licensed venues.
- What to try: Beer, rakı, and wine are the main categories most often associated with Istanbul.
FAQ
Can tourists buy alcohol in Istanbul?
Yes. Tourists can buy alcohol in Istanbul from licensed liquor stores, restaurants, bars, and some cruise services. The key legal point is age: the buyer must be 18 or older. Availability may vary by venue and neighborhood.
What time does alcohol sales stop in Istanbul?
Purchasing alcoholic beverages after 22:00 is prohibited. Since regulations can be updated or enforced differently over time, it is sensible to confirm current rules through official government sources before making plans.
Is it legal to drink alcohol in parks or on beaches in Istanbul?
The article states that it is legal to drink alcohol on beaches and in parks in Istanbul. Still, local conditions, venue rules, and public practice can differ, so visitors should act carefully and respectfully in shared public spaces.
What alcoholic drinks are most popular in Istanbul?
The drinks most commonly mentioned are beer, rakı, and wine. Popular beer brands include Efes Pilsen, Bomonti, Carlsberg, Tuborg, and Beck’s, while Yeni Rakı, Efe, Doluca Özel Kav, and Sarafin Merlot are also well known.
Can you drink alcohol on a Bosphorus dinner cruise?
Yes. The article notes that drinking alcohol on dinner cruises is legal. On these cruises, you generally need to buy your drinks when you get on board, especially during special-event sailings such as New Year’s Eve or Valentine’s Day.
