‘Babylon turns Istanbul On’ is the slogan and while it’s a little pat, it’s kind of true.

The premier live music venue in Istanbul, which attracts a great mix of acts from Scandinavian ambient outfits to African singer-songwriters, is also famed for its club nights at which DJs belt out a similarly eclectic range of sounds: jazz, world music, electronica, drum’n’base and house.

On Thursdays and weekend nights the large dance-floor is often packed to its 400 capacity. Life mimics art in the diversity of the friendly crowd, stretching from groovy business types to hedonistic students – anyone who likes loud music and dancing really.

In drawing in punters from all over town to its industrial-like space Babylon was instrumental (intentional pun) in Asmalimescit’s recent, hyper-inflation-like rise to being party-central, for which it richly deserves credit and custom.