Today’s “Waxing Lyrical” Top 5 is: Bodrum Watering Holes

by Steven Hampshire

I travel quite a bit for business and after a long day the first thing I look for is a good place to find a drink. I like to search for bars and pubs where you won’t find the tourists, but it’s not a deal breaker. If it wasn’t for my overseas work mates suggesting local hangouts I probably would be stuck in my hotel room raiding the mini-bar.

The White House

One of my favourite watering holes is the White House. The minute you walk into the Victorian style establishment you will want to dance. The nightclub features live music almost every night, and when there is not a band the DJ is spinning popular tunes.

I like the dirty martinis and usually follow it up with a Raki, which is the anise flavoured traditional drink in Turkey. I have met some pretty incredible locals that I ended up having breakfast with the next day.

Marina Yacht Club Bodrum

The Marina has four separate bars, so it really isn’t too tough to quench your thirst on a weeknight, but head there on a Friday or Saturday night and you may have to wait for the bartender.

I like to get there before sunset so that I have a place to sit. The views are spectacular and it is a great place to meet up with the locals and have a chat. Before dinner grab a cocktail in the La Vela bar or meet your friends after work at the Club Bar.

After a couple of pints wander over to the Jazz club, which is the largest in the complex, and listen to live Latin or Jazz music.

The Kule Rock Bar

The name says it all. The Kule Rock Bar really is cool. Start off with Sex on The Beach and follow it with a B-52. You’ll be ready to go after you down a Long Island Iced Tea.

Most nights the bar is filled with party animals so be prepared to go all night. Don’t expect to head home early if you plan an evening at the Kule Rock Bar.

Even if you don’t like to dance you won’t be able to help yourself as the music is awesome. Wear your dancing shoes as you will rock all night to live music until dawn. I could barely walk when I left the bar at 5:00 AM.

Hadigari

Since 1974 the oldest bar in Bodrum is also one of the largest. It is one of my favourite hangouts when I want a drink. Located next to the Castle it can hold up to 2,000 people and has spectacular views of the Kumbahce Bay.

I prefer sitting upstairs so I can people watch, but if you want to get amongst the crowd you can sit on cushions and mix with the younger ones who seem to be immersed in their own private world.

Demeter Bar and Restaurant

This great place is not on Bar Street, but is still an excellent place to have a drink. Before you start throwing back the beers have a bite to eat.

Demeter Bar and Restaurant serves fabulous seafood direct from the Aegean Sea. I like to order the fish of the day because you never know what you will be getting. It’s authentic Mediterranean cuisine at its best.

Bodrum has some incredible watering holes. I actually could have come up with quite a few more, but I know I would have been on the next plane to Turkey. Locals say that the Peninsula is loaded with more bars than any other place in Turkey and I would have to agree.

Steven Hampshire has been the Director of Travel Content for CarRentals.co.uk for the past five years and can’t imagine looking back. It is the best job he’s ever had and he hopes that he can really change the face of the car hire industry. He’s traveled to Turkey four times in the past and plans on going back in the future.

 

    

© Watering Hole Photographs from various sources (Destination websites, Go Bodrum & Trip Advisor)