Idle Hour — Restaurant in Los Angeles

Have you ever wanted to eat brunch inside a giant barrel? Do you enjoy eating eggs and day drinking under the watchful scrutiny of an enormous bulldog who is smoking a pipe but somehow still managed to look absolutely SCANDALIZED about your life choices? Do your life choices include Bottomless Drag Brunch with Lauren Banall? Well, them have I got the place for you?

As the decor and website will be quick to inform you, Idle Hour is a relic of the early Los Angeles car culture of the post-war era, and is worth the trip for the novelty alone. The staff and management are delightfully friendly and welcoming. There is a patio space in both the front (sunny, no bulldog) and in back (shady, bulldog). If you go there for Drag Brunch, like we did, (highly recommend) you'll get to enjoy the back patio.

In truth, my memory of the food is overshadowed by the entertainment, because it's hard to focus on both the subtleties of eggs shakshuka when trying to enthusiastically fling one dollar bills at equally enthusiastic purveyors of fabulousness, but I recall enjoying it. Also enjoyed a Drunken Elephant Theory, which is a cocktail involving coffee and a skewered luxardo cherry. My companion had a spicy margarita, which was also good but doesn't pair well with a drunken elephant.

The entertainment was, unsurprisingly, the star of the show. Four fabulous lip syncing and dancing queens of drag in multiple wonderful lewks, with comfortable levels of audience engagement, even for someone like me who mostly just prefers to smile and clap along like Snow White with her forest friends. Bucket list item accomplished. Would go again, would recommend to a friend.

My only criticism would be the sound level and acoustics: music would have been painfully loud without earplugs. Partly, this is a factor of the building itself being all hard surfaces: even once the music was done and I'd taken the earplugs out it was difficult to hear my companion directly across from me due to echoes from other tables. So, if you're sensitive to noise or have sound processing issues, plan to bring and wear earplugs for...

I'd like to give this place a second chance because the food is really good, the doorman and runners were really nice, and the reviews all seem to contradict mine, but I came for my birthday and had an absolutely awful experience. My socks were soaked because my chair was in an inch deep of water I didn't see til I sat down that could have easily been mopped up before seating us. Our waitress left right after she took our order and we had no clue who was waiting on us anymore cus nobody came to tell us they were. All ten of us ordered at once. Half the table got their food, finished their food, 20 minutes later the rest of us still no food. Mind you, it was only breakfast burritos and the restaurant was mostly empty. I got the manager and she was super short with me. One of our dishes had hair in it. The rest of the food came out and we got no apology or even had our complaints heard out. It made us feel like somehow all of this was our fault. We were offered a round of shots although nobody at our table ordered alcohol besides one person. The dish with the hair that was sent back wasn't even taken off the bill until I asked. That was that. Really no excuse for any of it in a mostly...

I went here for an Art Deco Society gathering. Idle Hour has a lovely enchanting vintage vibe for individuals that appreciate historic places. Delicious food, outdoor patio, and great service! The outdoor patio is so lovely with tables wrapped around a giant tree, and Parisian dining lights illuminating the silhouette while you appreciate the eclectic environment. I had a delicious tuna sandwich fill my appetite, which was accompanied by tasty seasoned pomme frite "french fries". My friends got the Idle Burger. We all loved our dishes! Great for small groups! Good to meet people, crowded on weekends. A great place if you're an open social individual and like to meet new people. Friendly new people approached my friends and I, and they invited us to join their group. It was great! Plenty of street parking. No need to compete for one spot. It was a fantastic experience filled with positive energy! Fun historic relics of the Idle Hour are posted on the walls, providing a glimpse into the glorious past. I will be coming back to this hidden...