EQUITY COMPENSATION (Ares Employee Participation LLC Interests) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	4 Months Ended	8 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Equity compensation
Grant Date Fair Value	$ 211,679
Compensation Expense, Net of Forfeitures		$ 20,091	$ 39,065	$ 32,244	$ 63,138
Unrecognized Compensation Expenses	60,500
AEP I Profit Interest
Equity compensation
Grant Date Fair Value	38,400
Compensation Expense, Net of Forfeitures					0
Unrecognized Compensation Expenses	0
AEP II Profit Interests
Equity compensation
Grant Date Fair Value	33,423
Compensation Expense, Net of Forfeitures					14,714
Unrecognized Compensation Expenses	12,709
AEP IV Profit Interests
Equity compensation
Grant Date Fair Value	10,657
Compensation Expense, Net of Forfeitures					10,657
Unrecognized Compensation Expenses	10,657
AEP VI Profit Interests
Equity compensation
Grant Date Fair Value	9,047
Compensation Expense, Net of Forfeitures					9,047
Unrecognized Compensation Expenses	9,047
Exchanged AEP Awards
Equity compensation
Grant Date Fair Value	68,607
Compensation Expense, Net of Forfeitures					0
Unrecognized Compensation Expenses	0
Indicus Membership Interest
Equity compensation
Grant Date Fair Value	20,700
Compensation Expense, Net of Forfeitures					11,913
Unrecognized Compensation Expenses	10,532
Indicus Profit Interest
Equity compensation
Grant Date Fair Value	5,464
Compensation Expense, Net of Forfeitures					(3,871)
Unrecognized Compensation Expenses	0
AREA Membership Interest
Equity compensation
Grant Date Fair Value	25,381
Compensation Expense, Net of Forfeitures					$ 20,678
Unrecognized Compensation Expenses	$ 17,555