SEGMENT REPORTING (Revenue, Expenses and Other Income (Expense) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Segment revenues
Other fees	$ 0
Total revenues	283,671	$ 335,460	$ 1,059,218	$ 841,010
Segment expenses
Total expenses	254,127	283,374	1,193,791	716,847
Segment other income
Total other income	58,880	73,339	147,489	75,294
Operating segment
Segment revenues
Performance fees—realized	178,989	132,837	261,924	220,790
Performance fees—unrealized	(89,423)	32,368	223,467	118,334
Segment expenses
Performance fee compensation—realized	140,979	93,778	199,253	146,792
Total performance fee compensation - unrealized	(82,342)	29,395	161,791	106,947
Ares Management L.P
Segment revenues
Management fees	183,177	163,609	535,990	480,563
Other fees	13,486	7,369	43,024	22,761
Total revenues	283,671	335,460	1,059,218	841,010
Segment expenses
Compensation and benefits	129,347	111,916	384,905	335,249
General, administrative and other expenses	47,104	38,197	145,193	116,845
Ares Management L.P | Operating segment
Segment revenues
Management fees	188,628	168,796	550,969	494,076
Other fees	6,144	751	16,998	2,777
Performance fees—realized	178,989	132,837	261,924	220,790
Performance fees—unrealized	(89,423)	32,368	223,467	118,334
Total revenues	284,338	334,752	1,053,358	835,977
Segment expenses
Compensation and benefits	77,205	71,378	224,357	212,951
General, administrative and other expenses	13,631	13,488	43,911	38,113
Performance fee compensation—realized	140,979	93,778	199,253	146,792
Total performance fee compensation - unrealized	(82,342)	29,395	161,791	106,947
Total expenses	149,473	208,039	629,312	504,803
Segment other income
Investment income (loss)—realized	22,471	11,704	30,766	15,443
Investment income (loss)—unrealized	(10,311)	18,737	25,418	16,169
Interest and other investment income (expense)	1,305	7,071	7,732	31,791
Interest expense	(4,902)	(3,472)	(14,196)	(11,718)
Total other income	8,563	34,040	49,720	51,685
Affiliated entity | ARCC | Ares Management L.P
Segment revenues
Management fees	$ 24,036	$ 33,260	$ 76,436	$ 90,884