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Idle Hour, North Hollywood's Iconic Barrel Bar, Returns February 13

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Look to the barrel.

Matthew Kang is the Lead Editor of Eater LA. He has covered dining, restaurants, food culture, and nightlife in Los Angeles since 2008. He's the host of K-Town, a YouTube series covering Korean food in America, and has been featured in Netflix's Street Food show.

Has the Valley ever seen a more triumphant return of an iconic establishment than Idle Hour? Completely rehabilitated by 1933 Group, the famous barrel bar, which was abandoned for years in North Hollywood, will see a glorious return this coming Friday. Founded 75 years ago, the building's striking design was meant to draw in drivers passing by in the 1940's. 1933's trio of Bobby Green, Dimitri Komarov, and Dmitry Liberman have been working on this project for over three years.

Not only does the barrel get a revamp, the back patio will come to life again as Bulldog Cafe, a replica that boasts a massive facade of the historic shop that served from 1928 to 1960 in L.A.

Behind the bar, Harlowe's Chris Amirault is mixing everything from a Sentimental Lady (Ford's gin, pamplemousse, lemon) to a classic Rickey on draft (rum, lime, raspberry syrup, bitters). Chef Sam Hoke creates bar-friendly bites like beer-battered fish & chips to a sloppy joe braised in bourbon and cinnamon. During warmer weather, the back patio will host barbecues and other smoked meats.

When it opens, Idle Hour will serve daily from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m., though this Friday's debut will commence at 5 p.m.

Idle Hour Bar

4824 Vineland Ave, North Hollywood, CA (818) 980-5604