EQUITY COMPENSATION (Equity Incentive Plan) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Jan. 01, 2019
Equity compensation
Equity compensation expenses	$ 22,393	$ 23,940	$ 73,974	$ 67,534
Restricted units
Equity compensation
Equity compensation expenses	21,430	19,251	66,226	55,798
Restricted units with a market condition
Equity compensation
Equity compensation expenses	911	614	2,702	614
Options
Equity compensation
Equity compensation expenses	52	3,660	4,310	9,953
Phantom shares
Equity compensation
Equity compensation expenses	$ 0	$ 415	$ 736	$ 1,169
Ares Management L.P
Equity compensation
Total number of shares available for grant under the Equity Incentive Plan (in shares)	29,232,054		29,232,054		32,792,005