SEGMENT REPORTING (Revenue, Expenses and Other Income (Expense) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment revenues
Other fees									$ 0
Total revenues	$ 358,195	$ 335,460	$ 369,535	$ 136,015	$ 159,519	$ 143,854	$ 241,164	$ 269,905	1,199,205	$ 814,442	$ 603,889
Segment expenses
Total expenses	$ 299,573	$ 283,374	$ 303,935	$ 129,538	$ 185,622	$ 136,386	$ 212,569	$ 234,463	1,016,420	769,040	860,039
Segment other income
Net investment income (loss)									(70,390)	1,776	(70,593)
Operating segment
Segment revenues
Performance fees—realized									292,998	121,948	146,494
Segment expenses
Performance fee compensation expense-realized									198,264	65,191	80,599
Ares Management L.P
Segment revenues
Management fees									642,068	634,399	486,477
Other fees									39,285	29,428	26,000
Total revenues									1,199,205	814,442	603,889
Segment expenses
Compensation and benefits									447,725	414,454	456,372
Ares Management L.P | Operating segment
Segment revenues
Management fees									659,451	650,918	598,046
Other fees									12,351	4,599	6,300
Performance fees—realized									292,998	121,948	146,494
Performance fees—unrealized									228,472	31,647	94,883
Total revenues									1,193,272	809,112	845,723
Segment expenses
Compensation and benefits									273,116	262,557	264,112
General, administrative and other expenses									51,207	58,120	49,903
Performance fee compensation expense-realized									198,264	65,191	80,599
Performance fee compensation expense-unrealized									189,582	46,492	89,429
Total expenses									712,169	432,360	484,043
Segment other income
Investment income (loss)—realized									24,632	22,772	52,579
Investment income (loss)—unrealized									16,653	(27,414)	10,933
Interest and other investment income									44,359	16,854	15,698
Interest expense									(15,254)	(13,988)	(8,617)
Net investment income (loss)									70,390	(1,776)	70,593
Affiliated entity | ARCC
Segment revenues
Management fees									$ 121,181	$ 121,491	$ 118,537