There is only one place to go on a Friday night in Istanbul. 360, is a restaurant, bar and club named after the amazing, wrap-around view at this penthouse location overlooking the Bosphorus and all the way out to the Sea of Marmara.
In the city where East meets West, the multi-cultural vibe is tangible here. Eight flights above Istanbul’s main shopping street lies this oasis where the weariness of traversing an overcrowded, transportation-starved city, melts away.
Low lighting makes everybody look good, and the DJ deftly steers the transition from dusk to dark. Out on the roof-deck, flocks of seagulls illuminate a soft grey sky.
The concept of 360 is a symbiotic energy combining design, atmosphere, entertainment and cuisine. An open, fluid space walled with windows reveals as much eye candy outside, with a panoramic vista, as inside, among the trendy patrons and avant-garde performers.
My dinner companion is a 30 year old maritime lawyer who hangs out here almost every weekend. She tells me 360 is one of those rare breeds that’s popular with both locals and tourists, making it a perfect place to dip into authentic Istanbul nightlife. In fact, we’re surrounded by Turks, Russians, Asians, North Americans and Europeans of all ages.
We order stuffed zucchini flowers to start, when we’re joined by Sashah Khan, one of the partners behind 360. Khan epitomises the East-West integration of Istanbul. Born to an Austrian mother and Afghan father, he was schooled in Britain. After a few years globe-trotting, Khan settled here. As the music moves from a “loungy” mix of New York meets North Africa, to a revved up clubbing beat, Khan orders sushi, an array of fish, and veggie fusion dishes like eggplant and pomegranate molasses.
After a few bites, we’re seduced by another fusion – the DJ’s tunes are joined by a beautiful violinist who amplifies the rich, deeply textured sounds. She floats around the room, causing more than a few chins to wag. And while she’s on a break, an even more exotic woman, belly dancer, does the rounds.
This is all part of the concept at 360; a perfect antidote to boring dinner conversation. Come at sunset, you’ll get treated to a painting-like view, but come later and you won’t even need to step outside to admire the sights.
