Walking into Musterek Meyhane, one is immediately struck by the warmth of the place.

This modern yet classic take on the classic meyhane — a taverna serving the anise-liquor raki and the appetizers that accompany it — is filled with nostalgic portraits, houseplants and smiling waitstaff. If you are a regular of this Istanbul institution, the workers will greet you by name. Musterek has such a loyal customer base that one often has to reserve a table several days in advance.

Despite this popularity, the place has a human touch. It is not for nothing the owners named it Musterek, an Ottoman word related to the terms for “the commons” and “collective.”  

Today, however, the meyhane sits empty. Musterek is one of many Istanbul nightlife establishments that has closed its doors due to the coronavirus. As of March 19, the Turkish Ministry of Health has confirmed 191 cases of the coronavirus and three deaths. Hoping to slow the spread of the virus, the Interior Ministry declared March 15 all bars and nightclubs across Turkey’s 81 provinces temporarily closed, effective 10 a.m. the next morning.