Evening entertainment.

[clara48]

Will be in Kalkan Monday, it'll be our third time. On previous visits we've gone out in the evening for a nice meal and maybe stop off at the Moonlight Bar for a nightcap or two before tackling the hills. I know that the nightlife in Kalkan is pretty low key which is OK for us as we're up for most things just wondering what nights and where we'd find entertainment if we fancied it. Heard a good singer in The Lounge in June and did notice they have live music some nights in the Nur. Just curious to know of anywhere else that has some sort of entertainment. Cheers!!

Linkback: https://www.enjoykalkan.com/forum/index.php?topic=4185.0

[cheshirecat]

I'm shocked and rather saddened to hear that this has happened in Kalkan, though I agree it really can happen anywhere.

I've visited Kalkan for the last three years (this will be my fourth) and have already seen the town developing...It's only a matter of time before it turns into yet another 'brits on holiday' town...I just hope it stops growing before it gets too big, or too noisy, or too dangerous.

[misty]

I'm afraid the momentum has started and will be impossible to stop.....I used to go to St Antonio in Ibiza when it was a small town with a few bars and one club and look at it now !!! Kalkan now has Pole dancers gun and fist fights.....loud music drunken Brits doesn't bode well.

Still love it though and it will not stop me going there 

[cheshirecat]

That is such a shame... guess I'll be on the hunt for a new 'holiday hide-out' come 2010 

[clara48]

In reply to the previous answers to my opening post, I couldn't agree more!! I love Kalkan just the way it is that's why we'll have been three times in two years. We hate over commercialisation and certainly wouldn't entertain holidaying somewhere with a burger joint or Brit pubs with blasting karaoke don't enjoy it at home and certainly wouldn't want it abroad! I don't know if my question about entertainment was misleading, I wasn't enquiring about discos, nightclubs or the likes, heaven forbid, grew out of all that twenty odd years ago. I was just wondering if there was somewhere low key with maybe a little classical guitar in the background and I had heard on this forum that one place has a jazz night nothing loud and bawdy just a relaxing way to while away an hour. I too hope Kalkan doesn't go the way of other resorts especially after reading some of the recent negative comments on here. Having said that we were there in June and didn't see anything untoward and long may it continue!! Thanks.

[foreverkalkan]

I have to say I did'nt understand the replies you were getting Clara either, I was begining to think it was me who had read it wrong, there are lots of places to have a drink and listen to music...have a wander you'll find them

[Roxie]

What a load of nonsense is being talked and hype+++. Give our wee town a break. Of course there will be attempts to initiate change but I think it will still remain the place we all love.
Rx

[itstime]

couldn't agree more Roxie! I read some of the comments about Kalkan on here and TA and often wonder if there's another Kalkan that people are visiting 
We've had 15 years of visiting Kalkan and yes over that time there have been changes, but I don't think there can be many places in the world which haven't changed in that time. The essence of Kalkan, however, for us, hasn't changed and it's simply a place we adore and this year in July had as good a time as we've ever had. Back out again in October and again simply cannot wait.

[msr]

We have just come back after 2 weeks (we have been visiting Kalkan for 10 years). Obviously there has been change over this time, but glad to say the character that makes Kalkan what it is is still there in abundance. We didn't see any pole dancers, the music noise levels were definately better, we are at Patara Prince and when there is loud music it reflects across the water. We heard nothing after midnight at all. The turkish people are the same, friendly and accommodating.
OK so there are a couple of 'clubs' but nothing like the mass market  in other European destinations.
There are plenty of bars for a quiet drink, some withjazz, some with a selection of rock/popular music. I seem to remember seeing an advert for a jazz week sometime in September.
Also when you go to Patara Beach the sign reads 'the beach is ours from 7am to 7pm. From 7pm to 7am the beach belongs to nature and the turtles'How lovely.

[antler]

Hello folks!

As a "Brit Abroad" please allow me to comment whilst I am here.....!

We are staying in the Nur Apartments, and on Saturdays they have a BBQ evening with entertainment outside. Last Saturday it was a couple singing - she sang and he played the guitar. A bit like Joan Armatrading goes Turkish?
We stayed for the first half and walked down to the harbour during the second.

Last night, the owner, Baris, plays in a Rock Band, and unlike the couple last Saturday, they sang indoors, to comply with local regulations, and it was well supported by many people.

As you walk down to the beach, just before BBQ restaurant, on the right hand side, there were two guys playing guitars for the last two or three nights - seemed very relaxing over dinner.

Tomorrow, we are going to the Samira, a bit further down the hill, for their Turkish evening / BBQ. There are four types of entertainment and last Saturday, from what we could hear and see from the road, it was very professional - so much, it made us book for tomorrow.

Yesterday we were up at the Mediteran and last night they had their BBQ evening with Turkish entertainment. I cannot imagine how nice that would have been in that setting on the hillside.....We may go next weekend.

As we walk into "Town" most evenings, there are a few bars with some music- full of people - and some bars with wide screen TVs showing sports - again, full of people. This is not for us, but it is not ruining my holiday. Tonight I will go as far away from the seafront restaurants as I can, as a "Brit Abroad" I prefer to eat at Adams, or the Mediteran, where you can hear the crickets - not Aubergine or Salt & Pepper. But it's horses for courses.....

I can find my piece of paradise in Kalkan in August and I don't have to look very far. I'm sure you can too?

Cheers

Antler

[kalkan4eva]

Antler, why not try Chops in Islamlar? It's up in the mountains and they can collect and return you - like Adams. We went twice when we were there last month - simple rustic Turkish food...and a smoked aubergine dip to die for 

[clara48]

Thanks Antlerdubai, great informative post sounds like you enjoy the same type of evening as me and my other half. Will certainly look out for some of the places you described and Adams sounds good. Kalkan4Eva you mentioned Chops. We will definitely have a drive up to Islamlar this time, tried to find it and Berzigan last time and got totally lost, always happens to us! Pulled in and asked a very nice friendly Turkish family the directions and as we couldn't speak Turkish or them English we got the directions by sign language a recipe for disaster . However we saw some stunning mountain views that we wouldn't have seen if we hadn't got lost. Kalkan4Eva getting to the point do you have a phone number for Chops and if so could you email me privately if it's OK, don't want to break any advertising rules thanks!

[Charlie]

Can also highly recommend Mahmut's Trout farm for the lamb tandir night.  From memory I think it's on a Tuesday night and they too offer a free pick up service.  Absolutely wonderful food, scenery and at a very reasonable price.  It's also much cooler in Islamlar, so very welcome on a hot August night! 

[kalkan4eva]

Clara, I will PM you - think I kept a card in my "Kalkan folder". If I can't find it in time for your departure, I suggest you pop into Adda Tours (up near the Kas Road) as they had some cards in their office when we were there last month 
Enjoy!

[Enişte]

Is the place you are talking about called Chops - the special lamb on Tuesdays and the transfer journey seem the same.  Just search Chops on the restaurant strands here for much more detail.  If it's a different restaurant, sorry!

[clara48]

Thanks Kalkan4Eva and Eniste for your help and advise. Cheers!!   

[Charlie]

Sorry if I confused things, Chops and Mahmuts - 2 different restaurants. Have never eaten at Chops but can personally recommend Mahmuts.

[kevincat99]

Apparently Mahmuts are now doing a "special" lamb tandir night as well as Chops
Been to the Tuesday evening at Chops with our Turkish neighbours and none of us were impressed - very "touristy" and food very bland. Folk dancers - 3 disinterested looking guys - very average
Friends went last week on Tuesday and only three of them there !! perhaps the novelty is waning
However has anyone been to the Uzumlu Bistro just before Chops ??

[Lantana]

We have been going to Mahmut's restaurant in Islamlar for many years. Islamlar is always so much cooler than Kalkan. We go for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It's always very good food, great value and a wonderful setting.

It is primarily a fish restaurant (but with plenty of other dishes for non-fish eaters) but this year they have developed the menu by having lamb and barbecue nights.

 The tandir lamb night at Mahmuts Restaurant in Islamlar is held every Wednesday.  Without doubt, it is the most delicious, moist, melt in the moth lamb I have ever had.

The food is excellent and the set price dinner includes a superb range of mezze, and hot chocolate helva for dessert (delicious).

If you you ring the day before, they will come and collect you free of charge from your villa or apartment.

It is always very busy on Wednesdays, so its popularity indicates how good it is.

The Uzumlu Bistro, according to a friend who ate there a week or so ago is expensive and not really worth the money.

Lantana

[Cosetta]

Uzum Bistro has a captive clientele, those who have rented their Islamlar villas through Exclusive Escapes.  An average meal for 2 with just one glass of wine will cost around TL 100-120.  We wouldn't go back.