HOD - House Of Dopamine Brewery LLP — Restaurant in Bengaluru

I usually don’t write reviews, but my experience at House of Dopamine, Koramangala on the night of 1st October (Navami) was so disappointing and unsafe that I feel compelled to warn others.

We reached at around 10.45 PM and paid an entry fee of ₹500 expecting a decent evening with food and drinks. However, once inside, the place was overcrowded, which is understood since it was so called Dandiya night happening in the city. We went up to the 1st floor and after placing our order and waiting nearly 20 minutes, we were abruptly informed that the kitchen was closed — yet no one bothered to tell us before taking the order. The (assumed) manager said that they will serve the drinks, mind you it’s already 11.30 PM already post an additional wait of 30 mins. Even drinks were delayed, and the overall service was disorganized and unprofessional.

What made things far worse was the aggressive and unacceptable behaviour of the staff and management. The manager was shouting at guests, physically grabbing people from the smoking zone, and rudely asking them to leave without explanation. When we tried to raise a concern and requested a refund, guess what?? We were yelled and asked to leave too.

The most disturbing part was when one of the security staff (a large man at the entrance) verbally abused, body-shamed, and shouted at us some parts in Kannada, despite knowing we didn’t understand the language. His threatening body language and aggressive gestures made the situation feel unsafe — especially for women. At one point, it genuinely felt like he might physically attack us. I mean seriously?!! We are all educated, civilised people here. And you lash out on people who were denied food and drinks and came just to spend some good time. We were tired, annoyed and hungry and were berated for complaining and asking questions which is a customer’s right.

No guest should be treated this way — especially after paying for entry and expecting basic hospitality. This place needs serious training in customer service, communication, and women’s safety. I strongly recommend thinking twice before visiting, especially if you’re expecting a safe, respectful environment.

PS: The name should be House of Cortisol instead of Dopamine! Really peaked our...

House of Dopamine (HOD), Koramangala, Bengaluru: House of Dopamine, often shortened to HOD, is one of Bengaluru’s newer all-in one pub-cum-nightlife venues, located in the bustling Koramangala 5th/7th Block area. It markets itself as more than just a bar—part dining, part dance club, part Instagram-friendly hangout—and in many ways, it succeeds.

Ambience & Vibe: Stepping into HOD, you’re met with a sleek, modern décor spread across multiple floors, with rooftop seating and well-lit interiors. It’s visually appealing — photogenic corners, stylish furniture, mood lighting — making it perfect for casual nights out or posting pictures. The energy pivots depending on the time of day: more relaxed and conversational during early evenings; louder, more vibrant as night sets in and the DJ or live music kicks off.

Food & Drinks: The menu is wide-ranging: multi-cuisine offerings including Asian, Chinese, North & South Indian, Continental, and more. Mocktails, cocktails, and alcoholic beverages all feature, though reviews suggest the food is “decent to good,” with some ordering issues like slow service or smaller portions occasionally cropping up. Standout dishes mentioned by visitors include biryani, nachos, and specialty items tied to their bar/dance theme.

Service, Value & Areas for Improvement: Staff tend to be friendly and service is generally good, but during peak hours the wait can stretch. The price point is mid to upper-mid: about INR ₹1,200-₹1,500 for two (without excessive drinking) in many reports. Some customers have flagged the service charge as heavy and less transparent.

Overall: House of Dopamine hits many high notes: great ambiance, a trendy hangout spot, solid food and drink variety, plus live events and dance-floor energy. If you’re looking for a place that transitions smoothly from dinner to late night partying, HOD is a strong pick. For those wanting quieter, intimate meals or very budget-conscious outings, it may feel a bit over the top. Rating it roughly 4/5 feels fair: nearly excellent, pending some consistency in service...

HI Darshan,

I’m sharing this message specifically for you as someone new in this space, with the passion and inspiration to build something great. We visited HOD - House of Dopamine on the 14th, and while the place has potential, there are key areas that need serious improvement.

Ambience: The vibe is nice, and the dance floor is decent, though mostly filled with college kids—which is fine. (3.5/5)

Food & Drinks: The food was a mix—nachos, fries, and some non-veg items were okay, but the peanuts were the worst. A major concern was the bar—staff tried serving 30ml while claiming it was 60ml, and only when we insisted did they pour the correct amount. That’s not something customers should have to fight for. (Food: 4/5)

Service: This was the most disappointing part of the experience. The staff was unprofessional, one of our orders was ignored for 30 minutes, and when we stepped onto the dance floor for just five minutes—leaving a bag with a MacBook Pro on our table—the waiter approached us in a rude and unprofessional manner. Instead of handling the situation properly, he made us feel uncomfortable. A place aiming to be premium needs staff that treats customers with respect. (1/5)

Pricing: Reasonable for the area, so no complaints there.

I’m sharing this because I believe you have the drive to build something great, and with better staff training and service improvements, this place can stand out. Wishing you success, and I hope to have a better...