BİNA — Restaurant in Kadıköy

Xenophobic bouncer won't let you in if you speak English. Tried to tell me the live music started at midnight (it started at 10pm) and cost 300 lira (it was free). Then when I got back, tried to deny me entry saying the place was full. His buddy eventually convinced him to let me in because I was showing them the band's instagram story (which said entry was free).

Talked to the barman about it, who first lied saying the bouncer doesn't speak English, then when I explained the above he just shrugged at me. On some level I understand (Kadiköy is overrun with tourists) but other places with this problem do it differently - look at Berghain for instance. Maybe if the bouncer actually did his job instead of just being racist they wouldn't be getting so many 1 star reviews.

I'm sure if you speak Turkish this place is fine (it has a big garden), and is a good live music venue (I saw a local band called vicotüco here and they were great), but honestly don't waste your time at this place. It's even super expensive, as well, for what it is. So many better places in Istanbul to...

Ok i do not use to do this kind of review but i hope to help to do better. I am Francesco, travelling around the world, owner of some clubs around italy and Kenya, yesterday i was kindly refused at your bar with a fake excuse, maybe the security are not good in selection but it could happen, no people at the gate, and me i was just alone, maybe sunglasses during the evening confused the guy at the gate, bit that is an health issue, sorry, all my Turkish friends were said because of that and they tried to convince to came back after some calls they made, honestly never happened in my life, just arrived from bali were i was always in guest list, but the problem is how can someone judge a tourist, from what, i was dressed in a nice way i looks not bad i was a model too... Sorry guy but you changed my mood aftet i came to visit your place, that kind of selection is old school, you refused the wrong one, sorry, try to do better in the future, thank...

The place itself is super cool with its boho chic, eclectic decor and has good music.

BUT, service is ALWAYS poor. I have been here many times and never left happy with the service. It’s super difficult to grab a waiter’s attention and even if you manage to do so, they are obnoxious in the way they interact and reluctant to serve. I almost think they hire people just because they have tattoos or because of the way they dress. Or maybe Bina is trying to play it cool and be that place that has bad service and servers with almost what I can categorize as a too cool for school attitude.

Perfect location, great cocktails and crowd though (why I keep coming back and also why they think they can away with such bad service). Always super crowded and since there’s virtually no one to manage the tables (circling back to poor service here), it’s jungle rules if you ever want to get a table.

Enter at your own...