Colors of Ankara
Hello, Color Hunters!
We’re İpek, Begüm, and Bahar; we’re here to debunk the myth that Ankara is a gray city. As three friends living in Ankara, we don’t see this city as just a gray, serious, and bureaucratic capital, as it’s often portrayed. Anyone who knows Ankara a little well knows that this city is actually full of unexpected surprises. The idea for this blog actually came from a very simple question: Is Ankara really that gray? To many people, Ankara seems to consist solely of government offices, wide boulevards, and official buildings. But living here, we’ve seen a completely different Ankara.
Throughout “Colors of Ankara,” our goal is to map out a route featuring fun spots for students to explore, nightlife hotspots, unique cafes, cultural landmarks, small yet charming streets, and sometimes just the distinctive atmosphere that’s uniquely Ankara’s… In short, we’ll experience everything this city has to offer and share it with you. If you, too, want to see Ankara not just as a capital city but as a city waiting to be explored, you’re in the right place. Over the coming weeks, we’ll discover Ankara’s colors together.
Don’t be fooled by the gray, we’ll see you in the city’s colors!
Night Mode for Students in Ankara
Ankara, often described as serious and somewhat aloof, takes on a completely different identity after the sun sets. The sounds of music blending into the night, the delicious aromas coming from restaurants, or the laughter heard from a café… All of these whisper that Ankara is actually a vibrant, surprise-filled city just waiting to be discovered by students. That’s where we come in. Night Mode Ankara is a guide for those who want to discover the city’s hidden side. Where to go after class, where to find whatever your heart desires at night, and which spots truly come alive. We share it all through the eyes of students who live in Ankara offering small tips, honest discoveries, and a bit of the story behind the special bond we’ve formed with this city; for those who truly want to experience Ankara’s nightlife. Maybe one night we’ll sit at the same table, put an all nighter at the same soup shop. But one thing is certain: Ankara’s nights are far more vibrant than you might imagine. Are you ready to discover these colors with us?
The Color of the Night in Beytepe: Minister
They say Ankara is gray, but anyone who’s ever found themselves in the Beytepe area knows that at night, this city takes on a completely different color with its tall buildings and bright streets. Minister Beytepe is a pub that has become particularly popular in recent years, which first opened in Tunalı. According to Kutlucan Kutlu, the manager of the venue, Minister doesn’t cater to just one age group; While guests over 30 often come to socialize between 8:00 PM and 11:00 PM, university students typically stop by around 7:00 PM to have a drink with friends, frequently choosing it as their starting point for the night. Known for its street food, Minister also features Asian-inspired dishes on its updated menu; in particular, Minister Pusso and Mongolian-style chicken are among the most popular dishes. On the beverage side, Mr. Kutlucan recommends that everyone try the Bolivar cocktail, which balances sweet and spicy flavors. As we learned during the interview, some cocktails incorporate techniques like fat-wash which is a method newly adopted worldwide and this innovative approach is arguably the key feature that sets Minister apart from other pubs. Although sports broadcasts run continuously throughout the day, they’re played quietly, allowing Minister to preserve its energetic atmosphere and conversation-focused pub culture. It stands as one of the vibrant spots proving that Ankara isn’t all gray.
⭐ Atmosphere: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🍽 Food: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
🍹 Drinks: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
💸 Price: 💸💸💸
📍 Address: Beytepe, 5345th St. No. 14, 06800 Çankaya/Ankara
🅾 Instagram: @minister_pub
The Unexpected Color of Ümitköy: Jurnal
Ankara’s nightlife is often thought to revolve around Tunalı and its surroundings. Jurnal, located in Ümitköy, is one of the places that challenges this perception by bringing new energy and vibrancy to the neighborhood. According to the venue’s owner, Ayşegül Ertan, this space has been completely reimagined from the ground up. Ayşegül’s background in design and her academic work on Van Gogh are directly reflected in the venue’s aesthetic identity. The artistic touches on the walls were created in collaboration with fine arts students from Bilkent University. From the start, the space was conceived not just as a pub, but as a social space where people could spend time. One of the key details that sets Jurnal apart is the karaoke floor—a concept that started as a simple suggestion and has since grown. Jurnal’s clientele spans a wide range, from university students to groups celebrating 50th birthdays. Jurnal can be packed on weekdays, while weekends are sometimes more laid-back; generally, the busiest time is between 8:00 PM and 10:00 PM. People typically come here not just to stop by briefly before heading elsewhere, but to sit down and spend a long time. On the menu, chicken schnitzel is one of the standout dishes. According to Ayşegül, the most important thing that sets Jurnal apart from other bars is the team. The energy of the staff forms the foundation of the warm, welcoming atmosphere of the space. Today, it has developed its own loyal following. Jurnal feels a bit like a story that emerged spontaneously from Ankara’s nightlife. For those seeking a warm, welcoming atmosphere in Ümitköy, it is no longer just an alternative, it’s a destination in its own.
⭐ Atmosphere: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🍽 Food: ⭐⭐⭐
🍹 Drinks: ⭐⭐⭐
💸 Price: 💸💸
📍 Address: Mutlukent, 1946th St. No. 13, 06800 Çankaya/Ankara
🅾 Instagram: @jurnalpubumitkoy
Çayyolu’s Colorful Spot: Solid & Stripe
Solid & Stripe is a place that’s not immediately obvious from the outside, it’s even a bit hidden, but once you step inside; it greets visitors with a whole different world of colors. The initial goal was actually quite clear: to create a great billiards spot. The owners set out believing they could do better than other billiards venues and built this space with a spacious layout, plenty of tables, and top-notch equipment. Over time, Solid & Stripe has evolved beyond just a place to play billiards. It has transformed into a multi-layered space featuring PlayStation, board games, leatherworking and tufting workshops, quiz nights, and open-air movie screenings and mini-concerts held on the terrace during the summer. Werewolf Nights and basketball tournaments are among the venue’s most popular events. While crowds are generally expected on Fridays and Saturdays, the fact that it’s packed on Thursday evenings shows the venue has built its own loyal following. With its +18 policy targeting university students, the energy at Solid & Stripe picks up noticeably after 7:00 PM. During exam and final periods, the venue’s study areas fill up from the moment it opens in the morning. The menu is quite simple: classic coffees, small-packaged snacks, and pizza. But the venue has its own little phenomenon: the cold blue drink “camsil,” named for its color. Aside from that, latte, americano, and mocha are among the most popular choices. Solid & Stripe stands out not only for the warmth and friendliness of its staff toward both each other and customers but also for the variety it offers.
⭐ Atmosphere: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🍽 Food: ⭐⭐⭐
🍹 Drinks: ⭐⭐⭐
💸 Price: 💸💸💸
📍Address: Ahmet Taner Kışlalı Mah., Çayyolu, Özçelik Business Center, 06810 Çankaya/Ankara
🅾 Instagram: @solidstripecoffee
A Coffee Spot That Captivates with Its Interior Design: Serve House
There are some cafes in Ankara that take on different meanings depending on the rhythm of the day. In the morning, they serve as a quiet study space for students; in the afternoon, a meeting spot for friends; and as evening approaches, they transform into a livelier social hub. Serve is exactly that kind of place. With its aesthetic appeal, spacious seating arrangement, and versatile spaces, it may seem at first glance to be just a stylish café, but there’s actually a more deliberate and multi-layered concept behind it. Serve’s starting point is a bit different from the typical idea of opening a classic coffee shop. According to Mert Coşkun, the branch manager, Serve Group identified a new niche specifically targeting students. They recognized the need for a space that is both visually appealing and suitable for studying—one that also offers high-quality desserts and bowls to accompany the coffee—and brought this vision to life. The importance placed on the decor is immediately apparent, given that some of the venue’s owners are interior designers. Thanks to the various seating areas spread throughout the villa-style space, the venue doesn’t have a single, uniform vibe. While students ,who arrive at opening time and stay until evening, make up the majority of the customers; especially during midterm and final exam periods, the venue’s energy picks up after 7:00 PM and takes on a more social atmosphere. Tiramisu is the standout dessert on the menu. Serve has quickly gained popularity thanks to the influence of Instagram and TikTok. Collaborations like barbecue nights featuring occasional DJ performances and small couple game sets sold on Valentine’s Day further enhance its vibrant atmosphere. The ability to stay for extended periods, making it possible to both study and socialize, is what sets Serve apart from other cafes. Serve House is bringing a fresh new vibe to Ankara for students!
⭐ Atmosphere: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🍽 Food: ⭐⭐⭐
🍹 Drinks: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
💸 Price: 💸💸💸
📍Address: Mutlukent Neighborhood, 1921st Street, Hekimköy Site No. 7, Çankaya/Ankara
🅾 Instagram: @serve_house
For Those Who Say, “The Night Has Dragged On, We're Hungry” 🍲
Vampir
There are certain spots in Ankara’s nightlife scene that aren’t just places to eat they’ve evolved into small social spaces where people share the night. Vampir, located in Alacaatlı, emerged quite naturally. According to Chef Eyüp, who oversees the kitchen, the team had been thinking about a street food concept for quite some time. Their first attempts began in Nenehatun. They had a green food truck where they made Thai-style ice cream, and they thought, “Since the space is ready, why not expand the business?” and that’s how the food truck used by Vampir came to be. According to Eyüp Bey, the average age is around 28. Over time, the venue’s warm atmosphere has evolved beyond just being a place to grab a quick bite. It has become a meeting spot for students and workers. In fact, people sometimes stop by even when they’re not hungry; there are quite a few who come just to socialize. Some students say, “I popped in after taking a break from class,” while others stop by after a night out. Vampir’s menu can’t easily be reduced to a typical list of popular dishes. That’s because the preferences of those who come here often change depending on their mood and the season. While sausage and Antep-style liver stir-fry are quite popular in the winter months, lighter options take center stage in the summer; in particular, sausage on a bun is one of the favorites for summer evenings. One of the venue’s slogans is quite bold: “Whatever you eat becomes your favorite.” Since its inception in 2019, word of mouth(people recommending it to one another) has played a major role in its journey from a small start in Nenehatun to where it is today. According to Eyüp Bey, this is one of the most powerful forms of advertising for a venue. Vampir isn’t just a spot for a quick bite; it has become one of the small yet vibrant destinations of Ankara’s nightlife.
⭐Atmosphere:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🍽 Food: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
💸 Price: 💸💸
🅾Instagram: @vampirsokaklezzetleri
📍 Address: Alacaatlı, Beyler St. No. 36, 06810 Çankaya/Ankara
Devrez
There are certain spots in Ankara that are not just a place to stop by for the night, but part of a ritual that has evolved over the years. Devrez, located in Esat, is exactly that kind of place. It’s not just a spot you visit at the end of the night, it’s one of those places that has become part of the night itself. Opened in the early 2000s, this venue continues to serve the same dishes today. One of the things that makes Devrez unique today is this continuity. According to Yunus Gürleç, the manager of the Esat branch, it’s possible to see someone who came here 20 years ago still stopping by today. The most striking aspect of the place, however, is that it’s based on a surprisingly simple concept: a single lentil soup prepared using a unique technique. That’s why when people come to Devrez, they don’t ask, “What soup do you have?”they just order the soup. Another detail that makes the lentil soup special is that it’s served with wooden spoons. Late at night, Devrez takes on a completely different atmosphere. Especially on Friday and Saturday nights, it’s a classic stop for students heading home from a night out between 11:00 PM and the first light of dawn. For many, the night is rounded off with a bowl of soup at Devrez. During the week, the atmosphere is calmer, though still lively, with families joining in the evening hours. While soup takes center stage on the menu, the experience is completed by the meat-stuffed raw meatballs, fresh greens, and a variety of kebabs served on the side. Don’t forget to pair your meal with a glass of ayran to take your experience to the next level! Fast service, attentiveness, and warmth form the foundation of the place. In fact, the attention to detail is so thorough that staff will even ask if a customer left without having tea. Years may pass, but the recipe remains the same, and so does the approach. That’s why, for those who know how to end the night in Ankara, the destination is often already clear.
⭐ Atmosphere: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
🍽 Food: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
💸 Price: 💸💸
📍 Address: Küçükesat, Esat St. No. 143, Apt. A, 06660 Çankaya/Ankara
Colors of Ankara
Ankara’s Vibrant Beat: Ahzuita
Ankara actually harbors its own colors, rhythms, and stories; you just have to knock on the right door. And that’s exactly where you’ll find a place that turns the city’s usual quiet upside down: Ahzuita. Here, the silence is broken by jazz music, which, unlike the norm, isn’t merely background music but takes the spotlight.
After the pandemic, as stages shrank, musicians scattered, and spaces for artistic production disappeared, Didem and Yunus Muti set this story in motion with a simple decision: “then let us do it.” Now transformed into one of Ankara’s most unique gathering spots. But to define Ahzuita merely as a jazz venue would be an understatement. It is a space built with the warmth of a home, where the purest form of jazz is performed, and where human connections are just as central as the music itself. Ahzuita is not just a place to listen to music; it’s a community where people connect, stories are shared, and trust is built. You feel it the moment you step inside: there’s neither the clamour of a bar nor the formal distance of a classical concert. When the curtains close, the lights change, and the first notes are heard, Ankara’s “gray” narrative suddenly dissipates; giving way to a warm, sincere, and vibrant hue.
In this journey where we chase colors, this time we’re taking you to Ahzuita. Because sometimes the best way to understand a city is by listening to its most sincere voice.
Believing that the most beautiful rhythms always emerge from improvised pieces played at home, Yunus and Didem Muti envisioned a space that could reflect the intimate atmosphere of a home. The name Ahzuita, meaning “exchange,” perfectly captures the spiritual connection between giving and receiving that this space fosters.
While the interior of the venue is used for rehearsals in the morning, the curtains close at 8:30 p.m. and the magic begins. Most of the instruments are already set up and clearly visible. At Ahzuita, which has a capacity of 25, concerts proceed with folding chairs and a table-free layout, so that when people enter, they quietly make their way to the seating area, and the focus is solely on the music.
People of all ages and backgrounds come together here on common ground, and hierarchies dissolve. This interaction isn’t just fleeting; it extends into real life as well. For example, someone who meets here might be able to connect with the owner of a company where they’d like to intern. This diversity, spanning all ages, transforms Ahzuita into more than just a music venue, it becomes a community where people can truly connect with one another.
Believing that the most beautiful rhythms always emerge from improvised pieces played at home, Yunus and Didem Muti envisioned a space that could reflect the intimate atmosphere of a home. The name Ahzuita, meaning “exchange,” perfectly captures the spiritual connection between giving and receiving that this space fosters.
▶️YouTube🔴: https://youtu.be/hKQPWuF9sLk?si=n7OypAiKZIbO3oyw
📍Çankaya, Üsküp St. No. 8, Apt. C, 06690 Çankaya/Ankara