Brits holidaying in the popular resort of Marmaris have been left disappointed following a significant crackdown on the area’s nightlife. The Turkish Mediterranean coastal town, beloved by UK tourists for its plethora of beachside bars and eateries, has seen a dramatic change in recent times.
As reported by Turkiye Today, 14 of these establishments were compelled to shut their doors this week due to harassment complaints and documentation issues. Furthermore, a midnight curfew now requires loud music to be significantly reduced out of respect for the town’s 28,000 residents.
While this rule has been in place for several years, it seems that authorities are now taking it more seriously and clamping down on those who break it, according to visitors.
One British woman, known as LifeOfLottss on TikTok, posted a video showing her quiet surroundings in the city, a stark contrast to the once lively, bustling late-night atmosphere. “It’s 12:20am – all the music went off at 12 and as you can see down the street, lights are off,” she demonstrated in a video.
“People are still in the bars, but it looks like they are paying their bills – this is crazy – I have never seen it like this before.” LifeOfLottss also noted that police had been spotted patrolling the area at midnight, passing bars including Chuckle Brothers and Mad Boys, to ensure they were adhering to the rules.
“It’s pitch black and not even 12:30am yet,” LifeOfLottss added. “So these are the new rules – music off, lights off – let’s see how long it lasts. I hope it doesn’t last.”
Another TikTok user, Rebecca Eliza, admitted she was “so sad” as she made her way through Marmaris’ deserted streets. “Bars closed 12am, out by 12:30,” she cursed. “No dancing on tables, no tops off, no sparklers, and no dancing on chairs. Tourism is finished.”
LifeOfLotts saw her clip quickly go went viral with more than one million views in a week, and it sparked a heated debate among fellow Brits. One person argued: “Without tourists these places will be ghost towns.”
Another declared: “Marmaris is finished, will be totally dead next year, I won’t be back next year.” Meanwhile a third TikTok user predicted a potential knock-on effect: “You know what that means don’t you! The bars and restaurants will be banging the prices up during the day up to midnight to compensate for the losses.”
However, not everyone opposed the curfew it seems. A female resident of Marmaris shared her perspective: “I live in Marmaris and I’m all for them enforcing the rules. The majority of bars in Armutalan and on the beach front are sleazy and cheesy. The owners of the bars need to change their dynamic and appeal to the more classy clientele.”
She added: “It will have an impact on tourism but only temporarily. The majority of the bars are in a residential area. Children have to wake up early for school, parents have to wake up for work. Why should they have to listen to the YMCA blasting until early hours in the morning. I hope they continue to clamp down on it.”
A second person concurred, stating: “I mean it’s their country, they have a different culture. Holiday destinations shouldn’t always be about drinking and getting hungover, dancing to cringy music till 4am.”
And a third praised the changes: “Finally the new mayor is listening to his residents. If people want to stay out they can go to Club Pasha or to bar street. Places in Spain and Cyprus have started doing the same!”