The “largest” meyhane in the world

It’s quite different around here: endless chit chats, never-ending joy.

Online Meyhane offers a real meyhane experience through our social video platform, gather-In. Founded by Memet Ali Alabora and Tan Morgül during the pandemic, it brings a piece of Istanbul’s meyhane culture to the virtual world.

Launched on April 8th, 2020, it’s become a place where people from all over the planet can connect, share a glass of rakı, enjoy mezes, and chat with friends old and new. Open twice a month on Wednesdays, it’s more than just a virtual event – it’s a chance to meet, unwind, and experience a meyhane atmosphere no matter where you are. 

You'll understand what makes it special once you're there.

So Far

Over the years, we've opened our virtual doors hundreds of times, welcoming notable guests from the world of literature, art, and entertainment.

We've had the privilege of hosting figures such as Vedat Milor, Meltem Cumbul, Şebnem Sönmez, Bülent Şakrak, Mustafa Alabora, Haldun Dormen, Bülent Emrah Parlak, Ahmet Ümit, Yekta Kopan, Ece Temelkuran, Murat Uyurkulak, Melikşah Altuntaş, Mahir Ünsal Eriş, and many others who bring their stories, insights, and energy to our gatherings.

  • "Melbourne, Sydney, Stockholm, Vienna, London, Cardiff, Istanbul, Çanakkale, Paris… “We are all in the same meyhane”. It was a great experience."

    Hasan Şahintürk, Actor

  • “It was an incredible night! Unforgettable! You don’t have to call a cab, you don’t argue with the driver, just walk into the meyhane and take your seat. And then again, no need to call a cab, straight to your bed!”

    Şebnem Sönmez,  Actress

  • “It is not something you can comprehend by hearing from a friend, reading about it or seeing on social media. You need to see it for yourself. You need to book a table, choose the friends you will invite among those you would say yes to when you ask yourself “would I drink rakı with them or not” and preferably among the ones who live in different corners of the world. Then you will prepare the meze and sit in front of the screen. At times it will feel like an actual Meyhane and at times it won’t. And I suppose, just like in the Meyhane, no night will ever be the same. “

    Banu Yelkovan,
    Sports Writer and Broadcaster

  • “This is a Meyhane where you meet new friends, where you drink rakı and have conversations with famous people, where you learn about rakı culture and where life changing conversations and sharings take place.“

    Sezen Akkoyun, Banker

  • “I had a fantastic night at Online Meyhane. I met a lot of new people, had incredible conversations, jumped from one subject to the other… It is hard to do it every night, yet you would miss it if you don’t jump back in every so often. Because it is really interesting, there is a balance between respect and informality and it is for sure an informative experience.”

    Metin Solmaz,
    Co-Founder of ‘Overteam Yayınları ve Ağaçkakan Yayınları,     Meyhanedeyiz.biz, Anason işleri’

  • Online Meyhane came just at the right time, just when I moved to the Netherlands, when I wasn’t able to go to Istanbul, as I was missing my friends, the rakı tables… And then we started to meet at the Online Meyhane, distances vanished, muhabbet got deeper. And at that moment, it was impossible to let it go, we became mudavims.

    Özge Candanoğlu,
    Founder of     platesandmates.co and damaktandimaga

  • “You reach the secret of truth by exchanging thoughts.” In this Meyhane, with the Barbas Tan and Memet Ali you exchange muhabbet, from hand to hand, table to table and you feel your body and soul brew.

    Levent Kömür,
    Previous General Manager at Mey Diageo

  • “Rakı is an excuse for Meyhane and Meyhane is an excuse for muhabbet. Meyhane is fulfilling your longing, it is learning, it is joy. The biggest obstacle is distance. I salute Online Meyhane for bringing together meyhane lovers from all over the planet and removing distances.”

    Levon Bağış, Wine Expert

  • “In these weird times, the borderless meyhane where I meet my friends from Izmir, Ankara, Samsun and London, sitting at my table in Istanbul, did us good. The night I was a guest Barba, we talked about Zeki Müren, we laughed, we felt sad, we had some banter but most importantly, we came together in the smell of anise. What else would you want?”

    Murat Meriç, Music Critic