No1 Cocktail Bar is a small cocktail bar on Sehbender Sokak in Asmali Mescit, one of Beyoglu's densest nightlife streets. It runs classics and house creations late into the night. The room is compact, so arrive early on weekends.
The bar sits at Sehbender Sk. No:4 in Asmali Mescit, the lane-and-meyhane quarter off Istiklal, per Foursquare. The location puts it in the middle of Beyoglu's late crowd.
The drinks list is the reason to come. Bartenders pour both classics and house signatures, including a flaming cherry cocktail that regulars call out by name.
Reviewers single out the service. Tripadvisor visitors describe staff who are attentive without pushing extra rounds, which keeps the small room comfortable.
The space is tight. A handful of tables and a short bar fill quickly on weekends, so a midweek visit or an early arrival buys more room.
Hours run long. The bar stays open into the early morning and sometimes adds live music, which suits a late stop rather than a dinner-hour drink.
Pricing sits at $$ for the city, modest for the quality of the pours. That value is part of why it draws both locals and visitors.
Asmali Mescit is built for a bar crawl. The surrounding lanes pack in meyhanes and small bars, and No1 works as one stop on a longer Beyoglu night.
The bar keeps an active feed of specials and events on Instagram, which is the quickest way to check the night's plan before heading over.
First-timers should start with a classic to gauge the bar, then ask the bartender for a signature. A seat at the bar gets the best of the service.
Asmali Mescit defines the night around it. The quarter packs decades-old meyhanes and newer bars into a few lanes, and No1 reads as a cocktail stop among the raki tables.
The bartenders work the small room directly. With a short bar and a handful of tables, service stays personal, which is part of the draw regulars name.
The menu balances familiar and house drinks. Classics anchor the list while signatures such as the flaming cherry give the bar its own stamp.
The crowd shifts through the night. Early evening runs calmer, then the room fills as the surrounding lanes wake up toward midnight.
Value keeps it busy. For central Beyoglu, the pours land below the price of the hotel rooftops, which pulls a mix of locals and visitors.
Music sometimes joins the mix. The bar adds live sets on some nights, which tips the room from conversation toward a louder, later feel.
The seating favors the bar itself. A stool at the counter gets the best of the service and a clear view of the pour.
The bar sits within a short walk of Istiklal Caddesi, which keeps a steady flow of foot traffic through the door on weekends.
For a first visit, the play is to start with a classic, judge the bar's hand, then hand the next round to the bartender for a house signature.
No1 Cocktail Bar earns a spot on any honest list of the best cocktail bars in Istanbul. Our Istanbul bar guide covers the rest of the city, and the cocktail bars guide ranks rooms worldwide.
Best for a late cocktail, attentive service, and a Beyoglu crawl. Skip it if a large group needs space or the plan is an early, quiet drink.
What to order
- 01
Flaming cherry
The house signature
- 02
Caipirinha
A reliable classic here
- 03
Old Fashioned
To test the bar
- 04
Bartender's choice
Ask for a signature
