Kadıköy district, located on the Anatolian side of Istanbul, has recently become very popular.  Even though Kadıköy is considered the Taksim of Asia it offers a unique atmosphere starting from your ferry ride with a magnificent view of the Haydarpaşa Train Station and continuing in the bar street filled with antique wooden mansions that nowadays houses trendy bars, restaurants, and cafes. It is also cleaner, cozier, and more silent than Taksim. A point you should keep in mind about Kadıköy is that most of the bars are closed around 1 AM contrary to Taksim. Just a few minutes walk from the ferry there are also traditional Turkish taverns that serve seafood and Turkish Raki. You can either pick one of the unique bars of Kadıköy like; Buddha, Karga, Arka Oda, Hera, or Trip, and have an ice-cold beer,  you may choose to go to a tavern, take sips from your Raki or get your beer from a market and sit in the seashores, watch some ferries go by.