DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Net Realized Gain/Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Ares Management L.P \| Net realized gain (loss) on derivatives
DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Total net realized gain (loss) on investments	$ (1,830)	$ 1,446	$ 9,083
Ares Management L.P \| Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on derivatives
DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Total net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments	(5,299)	2,222	(2,980)
Ares Management L.P \| Interest rate contracts—Swaps \| Net realized gain (loss) on derivatives
DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Total net realized gain (loss) on investments	0	(337)	(1,318)
Ares Management L.P \| Interest rate contracts—Swaps \| Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on derivatives
DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Total net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments	0	214	633
Ares Management L.P \| Foreign exchange contracts \| Purchased options \| Net realized gain (loss) on derivatives
DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Total net realized gain (loss) on investments	0	0	2,022
Ares Management L.P \| Foreign exchange contracts \| Purchased options \| Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on derivatives
DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Total net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments	0	0	(1,057)
Ares Management L.P \| Foreign exchange contracts \| Foreign currency forward contracts \| Net realized gain (loss) on derivatives
DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Total net realized gain (loss) on investments	(1,830)	1,783	8,379
Ares Management L.P \| Foreign exchange contracts \| Foreign currency forward contracts \| Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on derivatives
DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Total net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments	(5,299)	2,008	(2,556)
Consolidated Funds \| Net realized gain (loss) on derivatives
DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Total net realized gain (loss) on investments	722	(2,330)	(580)
Consolidated Funds \| Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on derivatives
DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Total net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments	1,809	8,611	(4,872)
Consolidated Funds \| Foreign exchange contracts \| Foreign currency forward contracts \| Net realized gain (loss) on derivatives
DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Total net realized gain (loss) on investments	(181)	(1,008)	3,752
Total net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments	(529)	900	(1,867)
Consolidated Funds \| Asset swaps - other \| Swaps \| Net realized gain (loss) on derivatives
DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Total net realized gain (loss) on investments	903	(1,322)	(4,332)
Total net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments	2,338	7,685	(2,934)
Consolidated Funds \| Equity contracts \| Warrants \| Net realized gain (loss) on derivatives
DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Total net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments	$ 0	$ 26	$ (71)

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The net realized gains or losses on investments during the period, not including gains or losses on securities separately or otherwise categorized as trading, available-for-sale, or held-to-maturity.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 225
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04.3(a))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879464&loc=d3e573970-122913

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 325
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6485959&loc=d3e22529-158502

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The net change in the difference between the fair value and the carrying value, or in the comparative fair values, of open derivatives, commodity, or energy contracts, held at each balance sheet date, that was included in earnings for the period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66902209&loc=d3e3602-108585

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