Moretenders’ Cocktail Crib & Sushi — Restaurant in Beyoğlu

So it’s my first visit to Istanbul, i was roaming in Istiklal street with bunch of friends here, we though we could enjoy some drinks and searched for nearby bars and this place was shown to me as a good-rated place that also serves sushi along a decent cocktail menu, we thought that it would be great to spend some time there, so we went and one guy politely said only reservations and apologized for that, i was super okay with that and just wanted to tell him that it would be better to state that in the information section here that everyone must reserve before coming, he struggled to understand this i guess due to language barrier, so another guy from the bar came aggressively and said what do you want or what’s the problem, i told him politely that i was just saying to your colleague a little suggestion, he said in a very rude and arrogant way that it’s up to us who we welcome and who we don’t, so don’t give us any suggestion, i was shocked from this disgusting attitude as if he was the owner of all the area, i tried to be even more polite and told him “kardesim” which i learned from my friend here which means “brother” or “my friend”, he immediately said don’t say that to me, i’m not your friend nor i want to be in a very aggressive manner, as if i did something horrible!! While all i did was being polite and suggested a little thing, if they were really professional they would have known that suggestions from people or customers are always welcome and should be met with nice attitude and polite manner, maybe because they recognized i’m a foreigner they started to be racist and rude, this my first bad encounter so far in Istanbul and i went to another bar with good reviews and it they were very nice and welcoming, i highly don’t recommend this disgusting place and they should look at themselves and their manners....

Having visited many cocktail bars around the world, I was looking forward to trying Moretenders in Istanbul. Unfortunately, my experience was deeply disappointing. Upon arrival, I was stopped at the door and asked if I had a reservation. The irony? The bar had plenty of empty tables and, to my surprise, there is no online booking system—so the reservation requirement felt like a convenient excuse rather than a genuine policy. I politely explained that I would gladly vacate my seat should a reserved guest arrive, but my offer was flatly refused. What’s most frustrating is the lack of transparency and hospitality. For a venue that prides itself on being a “major hangout for lovers of unusual cocktails,” the actual guest experience was exclusionary and unwelcoming. In all my travels, I have rarely encountered such a cold and arbitrary door policy. If you’re hoping for a warm welcome or even basic courtesy, look elsewhere. There are many cocktail bars in Istanbul that value their guests—sadly, Moretenders is not...

A Hidden Gem in Istanbul That Sets the Bar High

When I stepped into Moretenders, I was astonished. In a city where prompt service and a warm smile can be rare, this place delivers both—right from the moment you walk in. As a world traveler and a self-proclaimed snob when it comes to cocktails and sushi, I came in with high expectations—and Moretenders blew them out of the water.

Tucked away in a vibrant corner of Istanbul, the atmosphere is unmatched: lively yet refined, modern but with soul. The staff? Incredibly knowledgeable, genuinely friendly, and impressively attentive. And the food and drinks? Flawless. The sushi is fresh, creative, and beautifully presented. The cocktails—crafted with care and balance—would hold their own in Tokyo, London, or New York.

Moretenders is more than a restaurant or a bar—it’s a testament to just how world-class Istanbul can be. A must-visit for anyone serious...