House of Blues Dallas

Reviews 3

LI

Lisa C

Strangely unwelcoming experience here last Sat. HOB you need to get your show together. Your staff was unprofessional and disorganized. We had tickets to a show and purchased a dinner package, pre paid. Show at 10. When we called we were told the last dinner reservation would be 8:30 because they were closing for a private event. We explained the ticket/show and they said no problem. So, we took an 8pm reservation. Fought through the hectic-ness of the general area and found parking (miracle!) and arrive exactly on time. The place had a huge line outside for a show but the dining room had empty tables. So, not hectic inside at all. The waitress still took a bizarrely long time to get to us. We ordered drinks, an appetizer and entrees. Drinks too too long. Appetizer and entrees were then served TOGETHER. (remember its slow inside- so what the hell?) We dont complain though. Fine. Bad waitress. Deal with it, it happens. The food was passable. Ive eaten at HOB in New Orleans and they did a much better job. Not sure what the kitchen issue is, but nothing seemed fresh or special. OK, chalk it up to a chain restaurant experience, and move on. But, no. Then we order another round. The waitress tells us the bar closed ten minutes ago and that well have to leave because they are closing for a private event. Its not even 9 PM (those poor saps who had the last 8:30 reservation- what about them?!!). But, there are people sitting at the bar. We didnt even get a heads up, last call. What the hell? When we query being puzzled about getting the boot- what the heck were supposed to do or where were supposed to go while we wait another hour for the show? Were pointed to Foundation Bar (part of HOB but a different entrance) Fine. We go to Foundation Bar. Its empty. We attempt to sit in the lounge area. Before I even get my coat off staff puts a RESERVED sign on the table and every other lounge/table. Okay. Gee thanks. I guess we have to sit at the bar... We sit at the bar and 20 minutes into our second drink a staff member comes up to us and says he has to take our bar stools. WHAT? Why? We protested. This is too much. He says management told him he had to and mumbled something about crowding issues. Its not crowded its 9:30. There are empty barstools. He LITERALLY took the seats out from under us. Hello, HOB management? Who in Gods name taught you how to manage a bar/restaurant and told you its OK to treat guests this way? What the hell is going on with this place? What in the WORLD are you thinking? Either CLOSE for your private events or be OPEN to the public. If youre open, I expect a modicum of decent service AND A SEAT.I do not have high expectations that are difficult to fulfill. Ive never in my life felt so unwelcome at a restaurant/bar.

LI

Linda Law

1st visit- rather than bring my car to me at the Foundation Room podium the valet left my car around the corner unlocked in a no parking zone in front of a construction site blocking a fire truck. At least it wasnt towed, ticketed, or run over. 2nd visit-Dinner in Foundation Room did not go well. Waiter mixed tap water with a $13 bottle of Voss, forgot my wine, dinner wasnt cooked all the way through and the truffle mac and cheese was more like noodle soup. There was only one other occupied table in the room. The bartender at the show wouldnt take my 2nd order because the first order was for water- which I did tip her well for- one positive is that the Foundation Room did have free wine coolers in honor of the 80s themed concert that night. Who would have thought the only way one could get a drink that night was if it was free. Too bad it was B&J but better than nothing. Even though I am a paying member of the room we had issues getting back in for reasons that are still unclear- something about a special guest wanting to limit access to the room. I took someone here who had previously visited the Foundation Room in other cities and was considering a membership in Dallas. This certainly isnt up to par with LA or Vegas and definitely isnt close to Dallas standards for dining service. Even trying to get in at Crossroads is terrible and they cant seem to get the food on time or right when you can get a table. Their problem is they cant turn tables due to people coming to see performers they know on stage but not wanting to go to the bar when they are done. The only saving grace for this venue is the Inside the Huddle events that my clients love. As a member of the Foundation Room they are always giving away tickets and thats a plus for a person like me who has clients but it also means I run the risk of being embarrassed like the other night. Since I am trying to convince other people to join I really hope they can get it together before I bring in my next guests.

MA

Matt Copeland

MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WHAT TICKET YOURE BUYING!!! Im not docking points for this because I dont think this is HoBs fault. They sell "Platinum" tickets which are very easily confused with "Platinum VIP" tickets. Platinum VIP is a class of ticket created by the bands management. Regular platinum is a class of ticket created by HoB. They just happen to have similar names, they have nothing to do with each other, and its very confusing. Regular Platinum gets you a table in the back... Platinum VIP gets you early entry and a meet and greet with the band. Regular Platinum tickets are almost as much as Platinum VIP and are very easily confused. This happened to one of my friends and she was just out her money. She didnt even use the table because who wants to sit in the back? Again, I dont think this is HoBs fault. I dont know who came up with the name first so I think this is just an unfortunate similarity. The venue itself was pretty cool. I saw Coheed here for their Neverender tour this year (2017). The over all style of the place was neat. Lots of Hindu symbols and figures. It has a cool vibe. The standing area was a little weird? It wasnt very deep but it was very wide. Im not sure if I liked that or not. If thats a problem for you just get there early or fight your way to the front. It was pretty clean as far as I could tell with dim lighting. The bathroom was weird because there was no soap dispenser... However there was a person in there who would squirt soap in your hands for you. It was very awkward and there was a basket with $1 bills in it so I guess youre supposed to tip him. Im definitely not a fan of that because I dont like being obligated to tip. I shouldnt be responsible for paying your employees... Overall I liked it. Id definitely go see another show there.

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