Idle Hour

A couple of weeks ago my friend had a themed birthday party at Idle Hour and the service was totally on point and the food and drinks were delectable and tastefully mixed.

Had a word with the manager that evening, Chad, who made special accomodations for special birthday music to be played for our bday boy and who allowed us to set up decor in a portion of the outdoor area. He was super accommodating and friendly in every way!

Will definitely consider hosting my next group hang here!

If you're venturing into North Hollywood and in search of a spot that not only serves great drinks but also boasts an irresistibly cool vibe, Idle Hour is your must-visit destination. From the moment you step in, the uniqueness of this barrel-shaped building sets the tone for an experience that's as visually intriguing as it is enjoyable.

Let's talk about the stars of the show: Mark and Caleb. Mark, a true maestro of mixology, ensures that every beverage he crafts is nothing short of excellent. Whether you're a cocktail aficionado or someone curious to try something new, Mark's creations are both inventive and delightful, sure to please your palate and elevate your spirits. Caleb, on the other hand, is nothing less than a superstar. His charismatic service and keen attention to detail make every interaction memorable, ensuring that every guest feels like a VIP.

Adding to the already stellar atmosphere is the playlist - it's super lit! The music selection at Idle Hour perfectly complements its laid-back yet vibrant ambiance. Whether it's soothing classics to chill to or upbeat hits that get you tapping your feet, the tunes are always spot-on, enhancing the overall experience and keeping the mood lively.

In summary, Idle Hour isn't just a bar; it's a gem in North Hollywood where the drinks are expertly crafted, the service is top-tier, and the atmosphere is just right. It's a place where every visit is a guarantee of a great time. Cheers to Idle Hour, Mark, Caleb, and the fantastic tunes that make it a perfect 10/10 outing!

What a treat this place is. I recently had my boyfriend's Ghostbusters themed birthday party here and I was just floored by how wonderful and accommodating the staff are! Special MVP mention to the manager who liaised with me about the event, Chad. He made all our guests so welcome and helped make it a really special night.

There's also fast service, yummy pub food, a fantastic spirits selection and variety of local and imported beers on tap. Ready to Idle away a few more hours here any day

A very fun themed bar that has great ambiance and lots of tables. I've never been to a bar shaped like a barrel before, or one with a giant dog holding a pipe so it was a special experience.

We came here to celebrate our friend's birthday and were able to find a table towards the back in the outdoor area. There are two bars, the one at the front gets pretty congested so I recommend ordering from the one in the back.

Service is fantastic - we realized halfway through that we had forgotten birthday candles so I went to the bartender to ask if they had any extra that they could put on a cookie. This bartender is the best - didn't catch his name but he has curly hair and glasses and was absolutely so fantastic. He gave us a cookie with ice cream and candles so we could sing happy birthday and didn't even charge us for it. It was something that made the birthday girl feel extra special and we all appreciated the kind gesture very much!

I definitely recommend coming here, it's a fun place and there's lots of seating and tables. Gets a little loud but it's a warm atmosphere where you know everyone is having a good time.

My friends and I came here on a Friday night after seeing a show at Zombie Joe's across the street.
First off, the music here was impeccable. Bangers. All the food we tried was delicious, and they have vegan- friendly options which is much appreciated. I had the vegan chicken tenders and shared a plate of the mushroom fries; both smacked. Drinks were well made and the people working here are so cool.

This is a dive bar pretending to be a hipster place - don't expect anything beyond the basics or any interesting mixed drinks - they don't have a blender or any fresh mint for a mojito. Wine choices are a bit limited.
Place could use a good clean and more seating. Food is sub par. It's fine if you are a bar fly, probably not the best place to go for a date or out with more selective friends. The oak barrel is an interesting architectural element but beyond that there is nothing novel.

Looks can be deceiving... I've driven by this place many of times before and never made a trip to try it out. Finally, might as well try it out for brunch. Which I didn't even know they had. Just from the outside, it just looks like a local neighborhood dive bar. Tables outside which never seemed to have anyone utilizing it when I drive by. It's all street parking along the main strip and residential. And it's a conversational building as it does stand out, a massive barrel....

When we walked it, took us by surprise as it was happening. There's a patio with a band playing and plenty of people. Completely different from the front. It was a bit odd as well when we walked in. Don't know if it was security, a hostess or a waiter. We asked, do we seat ourselves, is it walk in or what. He was playing his Nintendo switch or whatever it's called. He took us to a table which a long communal table set up had a reservation sign. Theres a couple tables near the band which was all empty but wasn't allowed there. Beside that, there was inside seating but we found a table. Did noticed that about 15 min later, 2 girls walked in and asked for the table by the band and they were given them.

Well, brunch menu is limited but what is worth it was the bottomless mimosas. For the price, it was well the trip. I believe you have to have a meal with it, not sure. But regardless, it was great. We had the burger and chicken and waffles. Burger was actually pretty good with the side of tots. Chicken and waffles, it was ok. Staff was excellent, they were all friendly and very approachable. Someone that you could juts strike a conversation with. The band was great. Great choice with all the song. Overall, would come back. Service was great, friendly staff. Just a tad off when we walked it but beside that, everything was great.

If you live in LA and haven't been....Idle Hour is the place in NoHo that's shaped like a barrel. LOL It's so cool! Been coming here for a few years now after driving by it for several years. So glad I decided to check it out. But yeah it's shaped like a barrel inside and out. Indoor seating is circled around the barrel with tables and banquets. Bar area has high tops. As cool as it is inside we like sitting on the back patio. It's like a little oasis back there. Picnic tables, 4 tops and high tops surrounding one huge tree that offers protection from the afternoon sun. Cooler months they have outdoor heaters of course and the summers misters. Love that for us.

The food is okay. I haven't had anything mind blowing but I do love that they have a few vegan options.

As far as drinks I usually stick with wine but sipping from cocktails my husband has had they're pretty tasty.

Service is great. Friendly and welcoming...and they'll remember you! We hadn't been in a few months and one of the servers mentioned he hadn't seen us in awhile...and it's not like we go that often. That's pretty cool in my book!

Parking isn't too difficult. We can usually find something out front if not at least around the corner.

If you're looking for someplace to grab a drink and some nosh with friends definitely check them out.

Now I know what the Barrel is about! First time here and may not be my last. It's a great spot for parties and group settings. Two bars, lots of seating outdoor, and it looks like a cool hut in the back. Great service considering how busy it gets - people are friendly here and so are the customers!

Food is bar food, and so it's good for bar food but it's nothing spectacular. They have a decent amount of options for you, and are down to modify.

Food was good , prices were reasonable! Its a bar , very friendly staff, and good service. I like the place, it was very unique and old style decorated which was very appealing!