Idle Hour

Hours posted are not the hours. Close on a whim and turn off the phones. Word of advice for the establishment, don’t list hours you think are great if the volume is there. Find hours that actually reflect your operations.

There is one really rude member of staff that will scoff at you if you order the wrong drink (even though they don’t give you a menu). Happened twice. Even though I live next to it me and my neighbors agree it’s too pretentious. Owner is nice but was nowhere to be seen.

Idle Hour is a Baltimore gem 💎 And when DJ Mudbone is on the 1s and 2s, it’s next-level. His deep crate picks and seamless genre-blending set the perfect vibe for a smooth, silky, and fun night. 🎶 🍹The Jungle Bird cocktail? Crafted to perfection, as always. Whether you’re here for the vinyl, the cocktails, or both Idle Hour never misses. Highly recommend!

A true Cocktail Speak Easy, Cocktail focused. LOVED IT. 2 Patrons, 5 Cocktails, $71 tip not included. TIP THE BARTENDHERRR ✔️✔️✔️✔️🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🥂🥂🥂🥂🥂 I didn't need food, I ate my Cocktail

Hours online are not reflective of true hours. We went when they were supposed to be open and they were firmly closed. I’m sure it’s a super fun spot when they’re actually open but you just have to guess when that will be????

Easily the best neighborhood bar in south baltimore. Great vibe. Tons of DJs help create a really great feel. Without a doubt, you should stop in for a drink!

The drink was just okay! ( not what I expected) But the bartender wasn't really nice. She acted kinda of mean, and none of us was happy with her behavior. The atmosphere was okay.

This place is authentic, wonderful and a great time. We were visiting from outside the state and stumbled upon Idle Hour and it did not disappoint. The bar tender was friendly, the drinks are very good, and the music was on fire. A really great place!

very unique bar, great cocktails, and fun bartenders (we love J!). super cool vibe inside, i always bring friends here when they're visiting to show them a good time

Yikes. Some of the worst service I've ever received in Baltimore, very disappointing. I came on a Saturday night around 10, at first there were about 8-10 other customers when we sat. The bartender was a girl wearing a mask who did not acknowledge us for at least 10 minutes, at this point I set a 5 minute timer to see if we should just leave. Finally she acknowledged us, hands us the menu and at the same time - asks "What do you want?" Well... you just gave us the menu? How would we know? Also, no... hi, hello, how are you, how's your night. No pleasantries at all. Just "What do you want?" We eventually order our drinks, she brings them, and they were both good but okay, plus at this point I was very frustrated. Worse yet - Part of my drink was supposed to include a cherry, which she forgot. She came back after dropping them off, acknowledged she forgot it and said she'd bring it right over. But not before she made about 4-6 other cocktails so I was nearly done my drink by the time she corrected it. Only reason for the 2 star is aside from the cherry situation, the drinks were ok, otherwise this was a bottom of the barrel 1 star experience. Last but not least, she brings the check and the drinks are both $1 more each than the listed menu price. So scamy, what's up with that? The whole experience was awful. I would try again with another bartender but wow this lady really soured our otherwise great night out in Baltimore!

Stopped in to get an old fashion and it wasn't tasty I could barely drink it ..... not sure what bourbon was used but we left it and went somewhere else. Its very hard to find parking due to the area being permitted parking only. Very small and divey.

I've walked by Idle Hour so many times and never went in, and now I wish I'd visited sooner, this place is great! I finally went by this past Wednesday (2/21) for a listening party. Right away, I was taken with the vibe of Idle Hour. They have totally pulled off dive glam in there. The whole back wall has string lights that provide an ambient glow. There is a bar that runs almost the length of the wall across from the door and several high top tables and chairs. I sat at the bar and enjoyed how attentive the owner/bartender was. He tended to us and everyone in the establishment like beloved children...well, that's what it felt like. I had a nice cider while I was there and my friend who doesn't drink went with a mocktail the bartender created on the spot. Bathroom facility was nice but be aware there is no mirror in there so trying to fluff your hair or reapply makeup is not happening. Overall, looking forward to visiting again!

I don't make a habit of spending time in Fed Hill because it's generally not my kinda vibe, but Idle Hour is the exception to that rule. It's a completely different ambiance than most places in the area. Divey, casual, lots of character, and incredible drinks. I love a dive bar, don't get me wrong, but sometimes that means drinking disgusting mixed drinks and rail tequila. Not at Idle Hour though. They have some incredible cocktails and a stellar wine list. Their specialty is chartreuse. I actually hadn't tried this herbal alcoholic concoction up until recently but I'm now a big fan. Idle Hour has several cocktails that include this unique spirit including some classics like a mule or an old fashioned and some more custom creations like "the last word" and "naked and famous". Beware, these drinks do pack a punch though! It's definitely a neighborhood spot with it's fair amount of regulars. I think that just adds to the charm. Cheers!

Honestly, it's okay. There's no wow factor or negative ambiance. It's your typical bar with an ambiguous soundtrack. Clean interior and drinks that could get the job done. For a speakeasy, I was expecting a unique experience but it's no different than a tavern. Not sure if I'd ever return.

This is my first review of 2024 :) - this is an awesome chill and cozy neighborhood bar in Federal Hill. Highly recommend for a quick drink or date night with conversation. The drinks are excellent and strong .

This is hands down my favorite neighborhood bar. It's hip, chill, and low key. I always just get a chartreuse & soda. I bring friends here and I bring dates here. Aubrey is my fave bartender. They always have cool music playing and the dark red lighting is really relaxing.

I came here after brunch on a Sunday. It wasn't too busy and seemed like a chill spot. Despite all of the kitchy red streamers covering the walls, I actually really liked the dark, moody vibe. The crowd was a bit weird, though. I definitely saw pets and children chilling at the other end of the bar. The drinks were spot on and boozy. I had the Chartuese mule first and then asked the bartender what else was good. I usually hate the taste of vermouth, but the bartender recommended The Spanish Way, and it was lovely. If I'm ever back in Baltimore I will stop through again.

The drink was just okay! ( not what I expected) But the bartender wasn't really nice. She acted kinda of mean, and none of us was happy with her behavior. The atmosphere was okay.

This place is still awesome and was lucky enough to bring a group of friends over this past weekend. Being near Fed Hill sometimes one can struggle to find a bar that has a more relaxed ambiance and feel to it. Idle Hour is definitely one of those places for me, the DJ spinning vinyls on the weekends doesn't hurt at all either. They are known for their Chartreuse and really good cocktails but they also carry a decent beer and wine list. Many of the beers are from some of our local breweries and favorites so that was much appreciated.

When pickle-juice-accompanied whiskey shots and vile green shots of liquor made by deranged Carthusian Monks since 1605 are the competing house drinks, you know you've stumbled across a bar that wholeheartedly embraces the concept of nonconformity. Idle Hour is housed in a quintessential corner-entrance-style building that is the hallmark of many of Balmer City's best dive bars. But pass through the sticker covered door, give your eyes a moment to adjust to the ultra dim, Christmas light & candle provided mood lighting, and you'll start to appreciate the finer points of this bar. 5 beers on tap, relatively inexpensive drinks, an occasional DJ that spins a wildly eclectic mix of music, and no t.v... (Yes A Bar With No T.V.). At Idle Hour it's all about the conversation. The crowd at Idle hour can best be described as "random". It's not unusual to see a scruffy old guy sipping a MGD at one end of the bar and someone in a suit sipping a martini at the other end, with a college student somewhere in between. But somehow it works and everyone gets along. If you're wondering about food... Nadda... Zip... Zero... going on within Idle Hour's kitchen'less existence. But they will let you bring in a pizza or sub from nearby Mikie's, where the food and the service leave a lot to be desired. But if you just need something to soak up the excess alcohol, it'll do in a pinch.

This is one of my favorite bars in Baltimore; I have many fond memories of nights out in this place on business trips of the past. If you're looking for an off the beaten path bar in Baltimore, look no further. It's very intimate and small it would be great for for a date or for a casual night of drinking. They always seem to have some local artists are on the wall on display for your appreciation. They have an impressive display of empty Chartreuse bottles above the bar. It seems to be their signature drink. In fact I was first introduced to Chartreuse at Idle hour... And come to think of it's the only place I have ever drank it (though I do have a pretty much 100% chance of ordering it when I visit this bar). Brace yourself, it is very strong. Five stars, for a great bar with a great feel in a great section of Baltimore.

Bold selection Outstanding music Vibrant energy Man. I LOVED Idle Hour. Recommended to my group by a local, it was a hit from the start. An intriguing beer selection that was neither too broad nor exceptionally quirky - but was good. Plenty of brown spirits on offer, some locally-sourced. A (seemingly token) Chartreuse theme along the top of the bar, but not something we partook of. But lining up along that bar, and opposite it along the wall, my guys and I had a fine time whiling away a Friday evening with drinks in hand, jokes to spare, and good times all around. The soulful blues played on from within as we occasionally spilled out into the sidewalk to take in the early spring evening air, watch the sun go down, and spend a minute by the old blue bathtub out front, meeting some locals and enjoying the spot. Only dutifully answering the call to see more Baltimore tore us away, but we'll be back. A gem in the neighborhood; highly recommended.

I have mixed feelings about this bar but honestly I'd go back if it was in my neighborhood. It's got "some character" meaning some old chairs that bring in some charm and the rest of the place is renovated and new. It's pretty hipster and is reminiscent of what Brooklyn has become. I've heard good things about it - you can bring in your records on a Monday and pretty much DJ yourself which sounds cool. It seems to be full of people who already know each other and the bartender. We went there with some friends and it was nice to get a peek into Baltimore... or rather what gentrification is doing to Baltimore. Again, I'm going to be real and say I'd go back but I do wish it'd be more real with itself and at least not fake the charm and just be a new, hipster bar serving that demographic.

One of my favorite bars in Fed Hill. It helps that I used to live a block away, and my roommate was pretty much there everyday, but I fell in love with it easily. The bartenders are always superchill, and there's always tons of regulars there that'll chat it up with you and become your friend. The crowd is usually mid-late 20 somethings and sometimes 30 somethings. They are always playing GOOD music there and on certain nights there's a DJ. The art on the walls is constantly changing and usually makes for great conversation. During the week it's possible that it's pretty empty, but it's ok if you like that and you can chat it up with the bartender and the one or two regulars hangin' out in there. On the weekends it can get crowded, and be wary of bringing large groups there since it's a small bar, but if you get there early enough (or late late enough) you can get a stool at the bar or along the wall. Whenever I end up back in Baltimore, I know I'll be ending my night at this bar. Good times.

Not a normal review because I was there for a wine tasting event, but I had a thoroughly great time at Idle Hour. We were hosted by Abby, from the wine distributor, who talked us through five wines on an Old vs. New world theme. She was informative and funny, and the wines were tasty. Paired alongside was food cooked outside on a charcoal grill by the owner, Brendan - some delicious kebabs and grilled veggies, bookended between 'redneck caviar' and ice cream sandwiches. Of course, I had to try the Chartreuse too! I'd been saying I had to make it here for months, and it didn't disappoint!

Excellent bar service. Drinks are crisp, strong and unique. As with the area difficult to find parking. The bar is well worth the endless driving around for parking. #chatreuse

Don't get their wine! It was horrible and the bartender still charged me for that after just one sip! She insisted it was a new bottle while it tasted vinegary. The place was cozy with dimmed lighting and decent music. Other than that nothing special.... Just horrible wine selection!! Ewwwww....

This place just ROCKS plain and simple. It you were to go in there when it was light outside you would see basically a really badly decorated hole in the wall bar from the 60s with fake wood paneling, beaten up chairs and an odd maroon colored ceiling. When it is dark it is a whole different story. Lit with the draped purple icicle lights you would expect to find in a high school girls room, candles and recessed lights pointed at the really neat local artwork hanging on the walls the ambiance is set. It is accented by a record (Yes, I mean real vinyl) player that the Bartender/DJ/bar back/bouncer (there is only one person who works the entire bar at a time) keeps spinning with old stones albums and other fantastic rock. The booze are even better. Equipped with a full bar they have numerous bottled beers as well as 5 delicious beers on draft that are all pretty unique from one another (Drunkel, reserection, Dog head 60 minute IPA etc.). They also have a number of wines that many were drinking (though I haven't had there) and their signature Chartreuse liquor. The crowd is diverse from old timer locals to mid 20s. This place reminds me why it is sometimes worth it to pay a bit more drink at a bar as opposed to a house party.

I visited Idle Hour a few weeks back while in Baltimore on a road trip. My friend and I had spent the whole day in the car, checked into our hotel, and decided that, despite being a bit road weary, we'd go check this bar out. We were very pleased that we did. First of all, I use a walker and there were a couple steps into the bar, which I can't usually navigate on my own. Sean, who I thought was the door man, but turned out to be a very helpful bar patron, helped me out by grabbing a stool for me. Once inside, Jay, the bartender (with heavy Russell Brand vibe-IMHO, a good thing), was friendly and made me several delicious Shirley Temples. I believe my friend had Manhattans, which he also enjoyed. The atmosphere of the bar was borderline seedy, but in a really great way! Dark, lit only by candles and pink twinkle lights. There wasn't a DJ that night, but Jay seemed to be manning the turntables/CD player. The Stranglers were on when we walked in. There was art on the wall. I understand that the art is generally that of a local artist and changes regularly. This particular work was rather dark and brooding and looked great in this setting. When it was time to leave, Sean helped me get down the steps (this is when I realized he wasn't the door guy, but just really nice) and we talked about the American Visionary Art Museum. Jay also came out for a smoke break and recommended a good place to get beef on wheck, as our travels would eventually take us through New York state. I would absolutely go back to Idle Hour. the service was fantastic and it was a lovely way to spend a hour or two on our first night in Baltimore.

I love how this bar is laid back, the neighbors are always friendly, there is (usually) great art on the walls, and the music is always enjoyable. What I love even more is how this bar is "off the beaten path"- I can avoid all of the local Federal Hill bar-goers and stick to my local bar. I definitely recommend stopping in, getting a good taste of South Baltimore, and engage in conversation with some locals (while enjoying a great brew and good music).

Favorite Baltimore bar, hands down. Come here after dinner, hang out. It's my traditional birthday night spot. One bartender, chill crowd. No food, good music, virgin marys, Chartreuse (blehhh). It's truly a hole in the wall - a hole you are delighted to find and hesitant to share with others. It certainly stands alone in the goon cesspool that is Federal Hill on a Saturday night. PS. There is a hidden room by the bathroom. A couple of stairs... then blackness.. we have often wondered what this little upper room is all about ehh. INTRIGUE!

Great cocktail joint in Fed Hill. Its a very intimate and small place, so good for dates or small groups. The bartender there is very friendly, and during my night there I was served by the manager/owner. He is very knowledgeable about mixology, and he made me a great Manhattan with Jack Daniel, and my very first Moscow Mule :) Nice atmosphere, and good jazz music was being played, but I wish it was Live, oh well! Lol

Although tiny and dark, I really wouldn't call this a dive bar. It reminds me of the downstairs of an old yacht. Dark wood paneling keeps a dim intimate vibe, with some red Christmas lights dangling over the wonnnnderfully stocked bar to add a little ethereal glow (on a dime). The sparse art in here, done by a local artist, is funny and weird... mostly naked fat people partaking in varying strange activities. The bathrooms smelled weirdly good? They had huge, fragrant lilies in there... best air freshener ever! Great music. I was lucky enough to sit through a full three cocktails and a cigarette break to a soundtrack of Bill Withers. A++

This is the best dive bar ever. 1- their signature shot is an herbal, peppery liquor called Chartreuse and I highly recommend it. 2- the bartender is a girl with sleeves who is kind of rude but in this way that makes you like her? Anyway, she's a great bartender. 3 - if you go on Saturday there will almost certainly be a couple there with their hypoallergenic dog whose name is...wait for it...Neil Patrick Hairless. Go. Experience it for yourself.

Drinks here were good and not overly expensive. Nice off the beaten path place with an off the beaten path crowd.

best local bar ever.... great ambience, nice and divey with out being nasty. great, great cocktails and if someone's spinning, the music can't be beat. LOVE their monthly wine tastings. So excited they are back open!!!!

This bar is okaayy.... but there is a rude bartender named Brandon that has caused 4 people to never return. Someone told me the owner's name is Brandon as well-- I don't think it was the same person but if it was R.I.P. to long term success ;( VERY VERY hipster environment- which is weird in Federal Hill but was nice to have the variety- bartenders please check your hipster attitude at the door. We all get along and are friendly on this side of town- geez.

What looks like the diviest of dive bars is actually one of South Baltimore's (or is it Federal Hill's?) best bars period. Very well crafted cocktails, and I don't mean because they hand extract essential oils from exotic peach pits to make some funny cocktail. I mean bartenders who know their craft. Plus, I love Chartreuse, they have both kinds, and know what to do with them.

My new favorite bar in Federal Hill, even worth coming to with the headache of trying to find parking when it is almost ALWAYS impossible in this area! We stopped in here last night after having dinner in Fells point, planning to have one of their Chartreuse shots to sip on. It's a deliciously spicy and herb- like French Liqueur that warms the soul. And apparently this place is the most popular bar on the East coast to be serving/ distributing it, it's their "specialty" so to speak. The bar is very small and super cozy with Excellent music! I think on Thursday nights you can bring your own records to play too. The crowd was relaxed and enjoyable to be around, unlike some frat boy, loud, obnoxious bars in Federal Hill. Staff is super friendly. Can't wait to come back!

this is a hidden gem amongst the meat-packing bars in federal hill. a quiet dive with local art on the walls and a record softly playing great music. the bartenders/owners are always extremely personable and keen to satisfy a customer's request of "surprise me." had my first pickle back at idle hour a few years back (a shot of jack, followed by pickle juice), which was shockingly delicious. thanks for being an oasis!

My favorite bar in Bmore. It is dark, low key and drama free. There are definitely a lot of hipsters in there, so if you are allergic you might want to take a Benadryl before going. They play really great and somewhat eclectic music. I am constantly shazamming songs when I am in there. Chartreuse is the signature shot, but so is the pickle-back, which is my favorite. A pickle back is a shot of Pikesville rye whisky and a shot of kosher pickle juice. You do the whisky followed by the pickle juice--delicious and refreshing! If you are in S. Bmore, go get a pickle back and spend an idle hour(or two) at Idle Hour.

Great music, always. Also, no tv's, difficult to find in a Baltimore dive bar.

Idle Hour is by far, my favorite bar in Baltimore. It doesn't seem like much at first glance, but as soon as you walk in, you realize it's not your typical "dive bar." There is a large vinyl collection, so there is always something fun and different to listen to. The bar is lined with red twinkle lights, giving it a very chill, cool vibe. I highly recommend this place, for a fun and different place to grab a drink, relax, hang out with friends, and listen to great music.

Cool bar Baltimore! I went here last Friday night to meet and hang out with two of my college friends. One of them lives right around the corner so this is his local place. I have to say having just gone to a dive bar in Baltimore the night before that I did not care for, this Idle Hour bar was a relief for me. Definitely a cool local scene bar. My friend said it's way cooler than the neighborhood though, and less yuppy. I liked it as soon as I walked in. The crazy lights, the hard music, and the atmosphere. I got a hard cider (Crispin) for $4 and saw with my friends. One friend just had water (I had about 3 glasses of water too) and the other had Miller Light. I could definitely see myself going to this bar if I lived near by. The only catch is that it's in the cool area, so if you are a tourist and are downtown you should take a taxi. I took one going back to the hotel near the inner harbor and it was cheap - like $6 or something. One thing though, the music was a little too loud. Now I like loud harder music (rock, punk, etc.) but it was a little too loud and made it hard to hear my friends. We did talk for about 90 mins but I struggled to listen to them. So turn down the music just a little bit please, but please keep the lights on! Awesome. Also parking is a real pain in that area so give yourself plenty of time to find a spot.

Small, dark and awesome. Great bar for drinking and carrying on conversation with choice music in the background (MC5 and Clash albums playing when I went). Pretty solid selection of draft beers for a smaller establishment. It was a little more expensive than I'd anticipated, but it was all-in-all a great place

One of my favorite bars in Federal Hill. Super chill. The bartenders/owners are really friendly and they have always got good tunes on. Their "thing" is Chartreuse. They claim it is the closest thing to absinthe in the U.S. and they are the largest seller of the stuff in the Mid-Atlantic region.

Great dive bar to relax in. Dark lighting. No TVs with sports. Record player always spinning eclectic music (blues, jazz, punk, etc). Bartenders are very attentive and nice. Local art on the walls is cool to check out and changes every few weeks. My favorite watering hole in Fed Hill.

Terrible atmosphere... poor lighting, awful music, strange music videos, weird halloween zombie bodies laying around near the bathroom. Plus apparently they are a "purist" liquor bar so they won't make any cocktails. Definitely will not be going back.

I always liked this place when I lived in the neighborhood. Good beers, good drinks, a more mature crowd than most of the other establishments. A good place to sit at the bar with a friend/significant other. Probably not great for groups larger than 3 or 4. Dimly lit, good music, cool bartenders for the most part. It's also been over 2 years since I've lived here though. I hope it hasn't changed.

If you have a brain and an appreciation for a dive bar that can knock you back with some fantastically prepared drinks -- try this place. Very fair prices, straightforward service. Leave your stilettos and jeweled jeans at home...in the fire.

Great spot for an intimate night of drinking! Great beers on tap and the bartender was spot on with his mixed drinks and vinyl choices!

As good as it gets in Fed Hill, (if you are looking for something that is nothing like the traditional "Fed Hill" scene...) Douches, please stay down by the market. Hipsters, please stay up north. Drinkers and people who appreciate good music and conversation, Idle Hour is quite the gem! We walked from Little Havana's when that place got to be too much of a meat market for our taste and boy, was I a happy guy! First off, the ambiance of the place is very cool and well described by other reviewers, so I'll just say that everything they say is right on, (down to the conflicting reports of red vs. purple vs. pink lights... they were there, but I can't quite remember what color they were exactly... It's like trying to remember details from a dream...) Awesome early Who record playing on a... wait,... a RECORD PLAYER! That sound cannot be reproduced digitally. Very cool. Bartender, (not quite sure of his name, but I am pretty sure that he works Tues. and Fri. - - def. Friday as that was the day I was there,) was very nice and chatty, but not intrusive. He ended up comping us a shot or two of Chartreuse. In addition, he made one hell of a nice gin martini... and he really took the time and care to make it. Thank you, kind sir. All in all, I fell in love with this place from the get go. Good conversation with the random people at the bar, good tunes, great drinks... docked one star for location (I loathe going to Fed Hill....) but otherwise a five star winner!

This place is a little too hipster for my taste, and not overly friendly, but maybe that is because I am not a hipster. Beers seem a little pricey too, although they do have Natty Boh on tap, and that alone secures them at least a three star rating. The place itself is a dive, which I guess goes along with the hipster feel. At least they are something different in the neighborhood.

"Oh hai, that's that Idle Hour place I keep hearing about but have no idea where it is." This is what I said to myself yesterday as I was skipping down Fort Ave in a self guided pub crawl. I don't live in S. Bmore and so I rarely ever venture down to these parts. Why should I? I got my own hood. But anyway, it was still early in the day, maybe 5pm and the door was open so I walked in and checked the place out. Décor-wise, it's exactly like everyone describes it. Bartender was friendly and easy with conversation. A few locals walk in and the story moves to a guy who's grandfather served in China in WWII. Pretty interesting. As I'm looking around I ask myself, is this that one place in Bmore that slings so much Chartreuse? I see bottles all over the place. What is Chartreuse anyway? I didn't stick around to find out. One pint and I was on my way. With the little time I spent in here I can't give a local's perspective but the ease that I felt and the friendliness of everyone worked for me. If I lived within walking distance this would probably be a corner bat that I hide out in often. I can't say "I'll be back" because I'm never in this hood but if I am around and don't have to park a car I'll surely slide in for another drink.

Such a great classy, eclectic divey-ish place. You always find a very interesting crowd here . Beer and wine selection is top notch.

Most Federal Hill corner bars are full of creepy old guys and/or are places where new people just don't feel too welcome to break up the regulars' seating arrangements on a weekday night. Idle Hour is for the next generation of weekday bar goers; younger people and new-to-the-hood people feel comfy here. The ambiance is perfect in a divy-sort-of-way. TVs are only in use during Ravens games and there are only bar stools. No tables. Service is perfectly laid back and friendly. Highly recommended.

I've been going here for over two years. Used to love this place. Over that time it's gotten more and more hipster. I'm okay with the hipster vibe but the last few times I've gone the service has been poor and the bartender very rude. Sorry Idle Hour you've lost a few fans.