About Us

Starting off as a dream, Karen Walsh had always wanted to own a wine bar. She spent years researching the perfect venue. Being a local, she always envisioned having her wine bar right on the water’s edge. With Lake Tahoe as a backdrop, it’s the perfect complement to wine tasting and good eats. She even had a name —a name that stuck with her from when her mother won a contest to name a new local ice cream store in her hometown: The Idle Hour.

After years of patiently waiting, The Idle Hour became a reality when our current location became available. At the time, it was just an office building with a view. Slowly, office by office, she began creating an oasis away from the busy downtown. Five years and counting, Karen and her wonderful staff strive to create an unforgettable experience for locals and first-time visitors.