Istanbul: Sip $9,500 Champagne at Ciragan Palace’s new pop-up bar

As if the Ciragan Palace Kempinski in Istanbul needed to be even more luxurious, there’s a new pop-up Champagne bar that opened for summer outside the landmark Turkish hotel where you can let bubbles tickle your nose while gazing out at the Bosphorus. And you don’t have to be a guest to do so.

The temporary bar at the 19th century palace specializes in Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Champagne. You can buy it by the glass for about $45 or splurge on a bottle for $9,500 and up.

If Champagne isn’t your thing or you’re tight on money, grab a soft drink for $9.50.

The key here is location, location, location. The hotel sits on the European side of Istanbul and is one of its most recognizable buildings in the city.

When taking a ferry ride on the Bosphorus, the former Ottoman palace seems to go on forever with its lavish grounds and sprawling wings. It sits between the Besiktas and Ortakoy sections of the city, about a 10-minute drive from the modern Taksim shopping district.

If you’re not going to pop for the Sultan Suite, which can run $40,850 a night, take a peek at the hotel lobby. Then head out and enjoy the bubbles.

The Champagne bar will remain in place until June 26.