SEGMENT REPORTING (Revenue, Expenses and Other Income (Expense) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Segment revenues
Total segment revenues	$ 240,777	$ 288,402	$ 711,029	$ 1,104,843
Segment expenses
Total expenses	227,188	254,127	654,488	1,193,791
Segment other income
Total other income	38,754	54,149	108,920	101,864
Operating segment
Segment revenues
Performance income—realized	71,568	178,989	217,283	261,924
Performance income—unrealized	(37,999)	(89,423)	(127,224)	223,467
Segment expenses
Total performance related compensation - realized	60,023	140,979	162,773	199,253
Segment other income
Investment income (loss)—unrealized	(25,356)	(12,597)	(30,921)	22,652
Ares Management L.P
Segment revenues
Total revenues	240,777	288,402	711,029	1,104,843
Segment expenses
Compensation and benefits	145,594	129,347	419,225	384,905
General, administrative and other expenses	51,155	47,104	155,523	145,193
Ares Management L.P | Management fees
Segment revenues
Total revenues	204,524	183,177	588,071	535,990
Ares Management L.P | Operating segment
Segment revenues
Performance income—realized	71,568	178,989	217,283	261,924
Performance income—unrealized	(37,999)	(89,423)	(127,224)	223,467
Total segment revenues	251,103	284,338	720,017	1,053,358
Segment expenses
Compensation and benefits	83,170	77,476	239,620	225,395
General, administrative and other expenses	19,453	13,705	53,162	44,159
Total performance related compensation - realized	60,023	140,979	162,773	199,253
Total performance fee compensation - unrealized	(42,417)	(82,342)	(132,294)	161,791
Total expenses	120,229	149,818	323,261	630,598
Segment other income
Investment income—realized	16,013	22,471	30,166	30,766
Investment income (loss)—unrealized	(26,121)	(10,311)	(30,390)	25,418
Interest and other investment income—realized	3,887	1,305	12,678	7,732
Interest expense	(3,521)	(4,902)	(15,330)	(14,196)
Total other income	(9,742)	8,563	(2,876)	49,720
Ares Management L.P | Operating segment | Management fees
Segment revenues
Total revenues	213,662	188,628	612,792	550,969
Ares Management L.P | Operating segment | Other fees
Segment revenues
Total revenues	$ 3,872	$ 6,144	$ 17,166	$ 16,998