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Party Earth Review Hidden below the New Orleans-themed party madness of Billy Hurricane’s – home to heart-stopping Scorpion Bowls and 96-ounce drafts – Idle Hands offers a different kind of delirium, one fueled by craft... ... read full review
25 Avenue B
New York, NY 10009
F: Lower East Side-2 Avenue / Houston Street; F, J, M, Z: Delancey Street / Essex Street
917-338-7090
M–W 5pm–2am, Th–Su 5pm–4am
Open at 1pm Sundays when Houston Texans play
East Village, New York –
Hidden below the New Orleans-themed party madness of Billy Hurricane’s – home to heart-stopping Scorpion Bowls and 96-ounce drafts – Idle Hands offers a different kind of delirium, one fueled by craft beer and a boat-load of premium bourbons.
The cellar space has a hint of speakeasy style, with exposed bulbs, dark wood candlelit tables, and long leather banquettes adorning a room that’s barren save for a few colorful rock art posters framed on the walls.
Unlike the riotous clamor prevailing above, the venue’s vibe is more in line with its name, attracting mellow groups interested in top-shelf spirits and suds, all of which can be enjoyed to a backdrop of conversation-friendly rock, metal, and indie.
Fifty brews and more than a hundred bourbons, whiskeys, and scotches are on hand, many of which gleam from shelves behind the bar, while those in need of some grease to go with their grog can order American comfort food like burgers and wings from upstairs.
Hip East Village kids, casual couples, and tatted rocker chicks are plentiful, and there’s usually a scattered mix of unpretentious older prepsters who probably had awesome mohawks back in the day.
A regular DJ on Saturdays usually spins a diverse mix of rock and indie, and folks can even catch a game on the TVs throughout the week, proving that Idle Hands may be relaxed, but it definitely isn’t lazy.
The beer and bourbon tasting on Wednesdays is a great way to expand your palate. The selection always rotates, but you can expect at least one featured bourbon or whiskey and three to five beers to sample, as well as a full pour of your fave and even some tater tots to go with it, all for $10.
Chill post-grads, hip East Village locals, young professionals with a heavy metal past, bourbon lovers, craft beer seekers, groups of friends looking to chat and sip quality beverages, football fans on Sundays who want to catch the game in a non-sports bar environment, mid-20s to late 30s.
Rock, metal, punk, and indie dominate the playlist throughout the week. Rock DJ on Saturdays from 9pm.
Mondays allow guests to choose the playlist via the Playmysong smartphone app.
Several flat-screens mostly tuned to sports, with the Houston Texans house favorites.
American comfort food like burgers, wings, and fries trucked down from Billy Hurricane’s upstairs.
Beer and bourbon tasting on most Wednesdays.
Grub $3–$11+. Beer $4–$9+, wine $8, cocktails $10–$14, bourbon and other spirits $8–$22+, beer and bourbon tasting $10.
Casual: graphic t-shirts, jeans, band shirts, traditional office attire, cute blouses, rocker skirts, sports jerseys on Sundays.
Saturdays for the retro rock DJ, Sundays to catch a game in a decidedly non-sports bar environment, or most Wednesdays for the bourbon and beer tasting.
Parkside Lounge (317 East Houston Street) is a solid dive with arcade games, pool, regular live bands, and a juke that also favors rock.
Idle Hands User Reviews