Wednesday, July 8, 2015

Drinking in a Barrel at Idle Hour (North Hollywood, CA)

I love Los Angeles, but mostly they don't keep a lot of their heritage and cool historic buildings around too much. Thanks to 1933 Group, LA will at least keep one of their awesome barrel-shaped bars, as they have renovated Idle Hour in North Hollywood. The building was declared a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument and 1933 Group purchased it in an auction.

Idle Hour
The old Idle Hour was a taproom built in 1941, and 1933 Group has kept that concept, with plenty of beers on tap inside the barrel-shaped main building.
Idle Hour
They also have a great outdoor dining area in the back that's perfect for day drinking in the summer.
Idle Hour
Behind that area is a replica of the Bulldog Cafe. The original Bulldog Cafe was built in 1925, selling tamales and ice cream (I wish we have something like that now), and they built a replica for the Petersen Automotive Museum in 1991. The adorable Bulldog Cafe is also open for private events, and it's also open to the public when there's no event going on.
Idle Hour
OK, enough about the building. On top of the list of draft beers, Idle Hour also offers a pretty big food menu. For dinner, the menu veers towards gastropub style food that goes well with drinks. Try the Idle Wings ($9), served with Rocketeer Buffalo Sauce.
Idle Hour
A popular item is their french fries, which you should totally get as Sloppy Fries (sloppy joe mix, aged white cheddar, $8)
Idle Hour
The perfect drinking food, right here.

Mac n Cheese with house bacon ($10)
Idle Hour
The mac and cheese was also pretty good, and the tomatoes and spinach helped keep it from feeling too heavy and rich.

The Idle Hour Burger (arugula, tomato, fried shallots, garlic aioli, aged white cheddar, $15)
Idle Hour
A nicely done burger with generously thick patty. I liked the aged cheddar they use as well.

Idle Hour has a pretty big beer selection (and beer and shot combos), but since it is a 1933 Group bar, they also have a cocktail list. The cocktail menu has recently been revamped so it's different from what I had when I came, but you can find classics like Old Fashioneds and Mules along with the group's own concoctions. If you've been to the group's other bars like Harlowe or Oldfield's Liquor Room, then you know what to expect.
Idle Hour
Idle Hour is definitely a cool spot to hit up in North Hollywood, with its unique architecture, the outdoor patio that's perfect for summer outings, and the food and drinks offered. They've also recently launched a new brunch menu worth checking out!
Idle Hour


Idle Hour
4824 Vineland Ave
Los Angeles, CA 91601
(818) 980-5600
http://idlehourbar.com/
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