Village Idiot

Step inside Village Idiot on Melrose Avenue and you’ll feel like you’ve been transported straight to a cozy East Village haunt. With its dim lighting, exposed brick walls, dark wood paneling, and Edison bulbs hanging overhead, this Fairfax District gem channels New York energy in the best possible way. It doesn’t try too hard to be cool—it just effortlessly is.

The menu leans British pub with dishes that pair wonderfully with the impressive craft beer selection. The steak and potato pie stands out as the signature item, managing to be soul-satisfying without weighing you down. The roasted lamb meatballs are dangerously good and tend to vanish the moment they hit the table. For brunch, the Full English Breakfast delivers everything you’d want from a proper British morning spread.

What makes Village Idiot work is its versatility. The spacious layout means you can curate your own experience—grab a festive table up front for a lively time, or settle into one of the back booths for something more intimate. The bar itself is a destination, attracting a social crowd and offering one of the better craft beer lists in the neighborhood. Whether you’re here for brunch, happy hour, dinner, or late-night bites, the vibe adjusts accordingly.

This is the kind of reliable neighborhood spot that’s equally suited for a first date, a casual dinner with friends, or day drinking on a lazy afternoon. Village Idiot knows exactly what it is and executes it flawlessly.