On weekends, Istiklal Caddesi—an avenue off Taksim Square—is densely, sometimes ludicrously, packed. The street is designed for people; save for a sluggish trolley and the occasional cleaner, the avenue is closed to cars. Clothing shops and kebab restaurants line the main thoroughfare; bars advertising Turkish beer are tucked onto side streets. On Saturday nights, crowds shuffle from end to end under string lights and Turkcell ads. That's what Istiklal Caddesi was like last Saturday night, until around 8:30.
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