Istanbul Elsewhere was founded in London in 2019 by Memet Ali Alabora and Tan Morgül.
It is a cultural project exploring how Istanbuliteness is lived and expressed beyond the city itself.
It is not about city chauvinism or nostalgia for the homeland.
Think of it as a way to view Istanbulite—a city identity just like Londoner, New Yorker, or Parisian— but from elsewhere.
Our website is a collective portal where you can discover Istanbulite experiences outside of Istanbul, create your own, and share them with others.
What is Istanbul
Elsewhere?
Our Playground: Istanbuliteness
In major cities around the world, urban identities like Londoner, Berliner, Parisienne, or New Yorker reflect the spirit and cultural presence of their people, shaping how they relate to their city no matter where they are.
We believe the same applies to Istanbul: Istanbulite is a unique identity shaped by the city's rhythm&energy. This essence—Istanbuliteness—defines how Istanbulites engage with the city and carry its soul wherever they go.
At Istanbul Elsewhere, this is exactly what we explore—how Istanbuliteness exists on the world stage.
Become an Istanbul Elsewhere Ambassador
What is Pop-up Meyhane?
A Pop-up Meyhane is the art of transforming a café, bistro, or any intimate venue into a traditional Istanbul “meyhane” for one night. It’s more than just a dinner—it’s an immersive experience that combines performance, storytelling, and the soul of Istanbul’s meyhane culture around shared tables.
For one night only, the space comes alive with the spirit of a classic meyhane: a curated menu of traditional Istanbul mezes, rakı, the rhythmic hum of muhabbet (deep conversation), and a playlist filled with timeless Istanbul tunes.
Rooted in centuries-old traditions yet always evolving, our Pop-up Meyhane is a fleeting but immersive celebration of Istanbuliteness, bringing people together to experience the warmth, rituals, and storytelling that make Istanbul’s meyhane culture so unique!
So Far
We’ve hosted 46 Pop-up Meyhane events, mainly in London, while expanding across the world with our Pop-up Meyhane Around the World tour.
From Berlin, Paris, Amsterdam, and Lisbon to upcoming cities like Vienna, New York, and more across the UK, we’re bringing Istanbul’s meyhane culture to new places.
Large Scale Live Events
Klas Pop concert with Emir Yargın
February 2024
First-ever concert beyond the meyhane setting!
Meyhane Rebetiko with Çiğdem Aslan
December 2023
Celebrated Christmas & New Year with the soulful sounds of Rebetiko.
Women Solidarity Bazaar
March 2023
Stood in solidarity with women after the 2023 Türkiye earthquake.
31 December 2022
New Year Gazino
Welcomed the New Year in true Istanbul gazino style!
September 2022
Mini Fest
Brought Istanbul’s street flavors and live music to the Round Chapel!
September 2022
Meyhane on the Thames
We raised our glasses on the River Thames to the Bosphorus.
August 2022
Meyhane in the Park
The first "picnic-meyhane" with 150+ people in London!
Past Projects & Campaigns
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Pop-up Around the World
November 2024-July 2025
Istanbul Elsewhere setting up its “pop-up meyhane” table in five cities—four in Europe, one in America.
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World Rakı Week
November 2024
An album celebrating and dedicated to “US” supported by Yeni Rakı.
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Bol Kepçe Online Food Festival
February 2024
First online food festival.
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Güzel Günler Meyhanesi
May 2023
179 cities with 611 tables around the world took part.
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Purple March
March 2023
A solidarity campaign with Women affected by the earthquake in Turkey.
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Xmas and New Year
December 2022
Xmas & New Year with a countdown calendar.
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Meyhane Summer
August to September 2022
Meyhane vibes in London.
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Mezze Spring
May - June 2022
8 week cultural project around meze.
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Meyhane Street
January- March 2022
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Mezze Project
2019-2022
Traditional meze recipes and their stories.