An entertainment venue in late Ottoman İstanbul: Café-chantant

This thesis aims to examine the physical, social, and cultural characteristics of café-chantants that emerged in late Ottoman Istanbul. Beyond being mere entertainment venues, these café-chantants provided economic opportunities for their founders and employees. Despite attracting significant attention from their patrons, they were subjected to harsh criticism by contemporary journalists and writers. The thesis argues that café-chantants, operating under the supervision of political authorities, blurred the boundaries between different types of entertainment venues. Initially, the study explores the transformation of entertainment culture in late Ottoman Istanbul through an analysis of venues and neighborhoods, establishing connections between entertainment spaces and the military and political events of the period. Subsequently, it analyzes the locations of café-chantants, the regulations governing their operation, and the profiles of their founders, employees, and patrons. The representations of café-chantants in the Ottoman press and literature are also examined. By addressing café-chantants from a broad perspective, this thesis sheds light not only on their functions but also on their significance within the social and cultural dynamics of the period