Cool Jr.

Cool Jr. operates as a neighborhood pub and bar located on Selvili Street in the Konaklar quarter of 4. Levent, within Istanbul's Beşiktaş district. Positioned directly within the commercial and residential grid just off the main business arteries, the venue combines the role of an after-work gathering point with that of a dedicated sports bar. At its operational core, Cool Jr. focuses on a comprehensive beverage portfolio spanning local draft beers, imported specialties, and regional craft selections, backed by an expansive kitchen menu that departs from standard pub snacks. The establishment frames its hospitality around the Turkish motto "Burada herkesin yeri ayrı," translating to "everyone has a distinct place here," signaling an inclusive environment tailored equally to solitary counter patrons, dining duos, and large social gatherings. Instead of generic tavern food, the venue has built its reputation around proprietary charcuterie—most notably custom-produced sausages made exclusively for the establishment—and hefty 180-gram burgers. Patrons also gather here regularly during major sporting fixtures, taking advantage of dedicated match screenings that animate the indoor dining room. With practical amenities like complimentary Wi-Fi and an outdoor street-level seating section, the pub bridges the gap between a casual lunch spot for corporate employees from nearby tower complexes and an energetic evening haunt where friends assemble for craft pints, house shot creations, and shared snack baskets before heading home.

Cuisine and Menu

The culinary identity of Cool Jr. revolves around hearty pub comfort food, structured across starters, house sausages, gourmet burgers, pastas, and main plates. The kitchen's headline attraction is its custom-produced charcuterie, which reportedly earned the venue an inclusion in Hürriyet newspaper's gastronomy jury ranking of notable hot dog destinations. Guests can order the 1/2 Metre Sosisli Baget, featuring a proprietary half-meter sausage served in a baguette with pickled gherkins, with optional melted cheddar or Russian salad additions. Other sausage variations include the cheese-infused Hellim Peynirli Sosis, Ceddar Peynirli Sosis, and the Tombik Mix platter, which brings together two chubby sausages, halloumi sausage, cheddar sausage, Cool fries, and sautéed sauerkraut. Potato fries receive particular attention: the signature Cool Patates Kızartması consists of 9/18 cut potatoes dusted in proprietary house seasoning, with an available upgrade featuring truffle oil and parmesan cheese.

Appetizer baskets lean into variety, from the sharing-oriented Combo Sr.—loaded with breaded mozzarella sticks, cajun chicken bites, homemade cheese spring rolls (sigara böreği), onion rings, and seasoned fries—to baked Nachos topped with fresh kashar cheese, jalapenos, and caramelized onions served alongside haydari and spicy ezme. The burger menu features 180-gram beef patties, highlighted by the Cool Burger with beef bacon and cheddar, as well as the Roquefort-accented BlueBurger. For heavier dining, the kitchen prepares dishes such as Bonfileli Tagliatelli, which pairs long ribbon pasta with grilled beef tenderloin marinated in red wine sauce, and Tarçın Kırma Tavuk, featuring cinnamon-marinated chicken breast accompanied by mashed potatoes and roasted red peppers.

The drinks roster is equally extensive, offering draft staples like Bomonti and Efes in 33cl and 50cl pours alongside regional craft bottles from Gara Guzu, such as their 4c, Summer IPA, and Mayhoş. Global labels include Duvel, Erdinger, and Leffe Blonde. Beyond beer, the bar serves signature shot creations like the Cooledibi (Safari and Jack Daniel's) and 2Cool (Baileys and whiskey), alongside classic and house cocktails such as the Brooklyn Bourbon and the beer-infused Corona Rita.

Atmosphere and Who It Suits

Cool Jr. cultivates an unpretentious, high-energy pub atmosphere designed to transition seamlessly from a laid-back afternoon break to a bustling nighttime gathering. The overall interior environment is defined by a relaxed, casual character where wooden fixtures, counter seating, and open dining tables encourage conversation. It caters predominantly to social circles, colleagues arriving in groups after work, and sports enthusiasts seeking a dedicated venue to follow athletic competitions. Football match broadcasts represent a central pillar of the pub's evening programming; the venue itself champions the concept that an ice-cold beer is the ideal counterbalance to the fiery intensity that builds among supporters while watching a match. Multiple screens throughout the interior ensure unhindered sightlines, transforming ordinary game nights into communal, vocal events.

Beyond live sporting broadcasts, the space frequently hosts private gatherings and themed party celebrations, providing an adaptable backdrop for birthdays and milestone festivities. Patrons seeking fresh air or a street-side vantage point can settle into the outdoor open-air seating area, which allows guests to enjoy drinks and meals outside along Selvili Street during temperate weather. For professionals and remote workers who drop in during quieter daytime shifts, complimentary Wi-Fi is available throughout the premises, making the space functional for casual laptop work or informal mid-day check-ins over coffee and lunch.

In terms of clientele compatibility, Cool Jr. is tailored specifically to groups of friends who appreciate generous shared portions, craft beer tastings, and interactive sports viewing without stiff formalities. Its mid-range pricing tier ($$) makes it an accessible, recurring neighborhood option rather than an exclusive occasion-only destination. Whether patrons arrive solo to sit by the bar with a draft pour or reserve clustered tables for a rowdy derby match, the venue upholds its core motto of ensuring that every visitor finds their distinct place.

Location and Practical Details

Cool Jr. is situated at Konaklar Mah. Selvili Sok. No:1B 4.Levent, within the Beşiktaş district of Istanbul. Its geographical position offers significant logistical convenience, placing the venue within easy walking distance of the 4. Levent Metro station on the M2 Yenikapı-Hacıosman transit line. This direct subway connection makes the bar readily accessible to visitors traveling from central transit hubs such as Mecidiyeköy, Taksim, and Maslak without navigating vehicular traffic. Furthermore, the establishment sits immediately adjacent to the prominent corporate skyscraper cluster of the Levent financial corridor, positioning it just minutes on foot from major office complexes including the Sabancı Towers. This close proximity makes it a prime candidate for post-shift meetups among plaza personnel seeking to bypass rush-hour gridlock.

Operating hours run from Monday through Saturday, opening at 12:00 noon to accommodate the lunch trade and continuing until 01:00 past midnight for late-night food and drink service. The establishment remains closed on Sundays. For operational planning, reservations are formally accepted and are managed directly by calling the branch phone line at 0 (212) 279 97 09. Securing a table in advance is strongly advised on evenings featuring major domestic or international football matches, as seating fills rapidly around broadcast screens.

On-site amenities include free high-speed Wi-Fi across all indoor and outdoor sections, as well as an exterior street-front terrace that provides open-air dining. Credit cards and standard payment methods are accepted. Given the dense urban layout of Selvili Street and surrounding residential-commercial zones, street parking in the immediate vicinity can be constrained during peak business hours; arriving via public transit through the nearby 4. Levent underground station or on foot from adjacent business districts represents the most straightforward travel approach for visiting patrons.

The Mio Angle: As a Meeting Spot

Within the Mio community, where users seek authentic recommendations for social gatherings, Cool Jr. stands out as a dependable, highly functional gathering hub in the 4. Levent area. It serves primarily as a versatile middle ground for two key demographics: corporate teams from nearby plazas seeking an informal after-work decompression venue, and dedicated circles of sports enthusiasts coordinating viewing meetups. Because the pub operates in the mid-range price category ($$), it avoids the steep costs typical of upscale hotel lounges in the Levent business corridor while delivering substantially more culinary character than a barebones neighborhood dive. This balance ensures broad budget compatibility across mixed groups, making bill splitting comfortable whether guests order full-course dinners or stick to draft beers with shared finger food.

From a visual and content-sharing perspective on social networks, the menu provides several distinct focal points. The centerpiece for photography is undoubtedly the proprietary half-meter sausage, whether presented whole within a sliced baguette or served alongside four distinct sausage styles on the Süper Mix platter with vibrant sauerkraut and 9/18 cut seasoned fries. The contrast of towering beer glassware—showcasing craft pours from Gara Guzu or classic Belgian chalices—alongside colorful cocktails like the Corona Rita and layered shots such as the Cooledibi offers dynamic imagery for food-focused feeds. Furthermore, during high-stakes football evenings, the communal excitement of supporters watching screens together captures genuine candid energy.

When recommending Cool Jr. on Mio, suggest it for weekday happy hours, informal birthday celebrations with themed party arrangements, and high-energy game nights. Those seeking quiet romance or fine dining should look elsewhere; Cool Jr. is built explicitly for camaraderie, cold beer, shared comfort food, and spirited collective leisure.