After a long Sunday Ride on our Harley, I Love stopping here for a drink or 2 maybe 3 or 4...lol I'm the happy passenger not the driver.
They have tacos that are really good! the Steak Tacos and the sauce they have is amazing. Fish tacos are good too!
The prices are affordable, and the drinks are really good! Their Cadillac Margarita is amazing!
Lets not for get the live music they occasionally have, they always have great bands playing.
I over all love it, but it can get crowed in some occasions.
Stopped by after work last night and met up with a friend. First on the agenda was getting our drank on! She ordered the cucumber margarita which was actually very good, not too sweet and pretty refreshing, I stuck with beer and ordered a Stella which hit the spot after that long ass day at work.
Some guy was playing guitar while we were there, dude looked like Bob Dylan, but sounded like Janis Joplin, the fuck? Â Weird but ok. The second band that played was pretty good, but goddamn did it get loud in there! Fuckers were playing as if they were at the Gibson Amphitheater! We were shouting our conversation and the music stopped just as I was saying how I thought the chick sitting next to us had a nice rack. Kinda awkward, but fuck it, they were out and ready to get talked about.
The vibe was cool, very Pirates of the Caribbean-like. The interior was dark and smokey, pretty cool. We went out to have a ciggy, when we went back in my friend asked what a "Donkey Punch" was, so I bent her over and punched her in the back of the head. KIDDING! (Or am I?)
She had actually read the menu and saw that one of their specialties was a drink called the Donkey Punch and was limited to two per person, we asked what was in it and why the limit. Apparently that shit has 3 types of rum, cranberry juice and a Southern Comfort topper which in the bartender's words "will creep up on you and fuck you up something sweet" PERFECT she'll take two!
We drank, we laughed, we caught up on old times, we drank some more and then we boned out. Nice relaxing place, i'll be back motherfuckaaaas!!!
The Norwood is a lot of fun for what it is - a local joint to go and knock back a drink or two and listen to some live music. It's our favorite place to go in the neighborhood - perfect after a day out riding around on the motorcycle. I wouldn't quite call it a dive, because while it's small and dark, the place is clean and has pretty nice decor. Even on its busy nights, the place doesn't get jam-packed crowded, and the bartenders are pleasant people. If you're feeling adventurous, try the Donkey Punch, but make sure to keep hydrated, or it'll live up to its name in the morning! (Do not ask how I know this.)
Review Source:Since the NFL sucks and they don't want to supply us with football games to watch for free, I had to look for a place I could walk to and watch my 49ERS play. Well Norwood was the best choice! they have 8 TVS and a sound system that is deafening! The owners did not go cheap when it came time to get the best tvs and sound system. The drinks are very good. They have some nice craft beers on tap and are always changing them up to keep it interesting. Now the best part of this bar has go to be Leanne...she makes the best tasting Bloody Marys I've had. I know everyone will tell you the same if they've had her Bloody Mary also she's a real cool bartender and always nice to talk to. I will say this is a Raider bar but everyone there is not your typical Raider fan so don't be afraid to go in. As for the rest of the days I've popped in a few times and it's been just fine. I like to have their craft beers. I'll definitely be there again for the next season. Did I mention they have a OYSTER bar during the games! its delicious....all the food there is good.
Review Source:I thought I would give this place another try since the first time it was ok. Â
First time had a decent mix of people from bikers, a few college kids, locals...
The second time it was a completely different experience with a young crowd, maybe it was the DJ they came for. Â I like a dive bar up to classy bars, but this was the most uncomfortable mix of young kids I've been around. Â It had a feeling like a fight was going to break out. Â Weird.
Drinks are expensive for the type of dive atmosphere it has the potential to come across as. Â We left after one drink, probably won't go back.
I came here late on a Sunday because I'm a heathen who drinks on Sundays. LOL Interestingly enough, they have karaoke on Sundays. Well, it's essential to sing your heart out when you're tipsy. :) They actually had 2 guys manning it. One on the mic and one who was DJing.
I have passed this placed on numerous occasions but never felt the urge to enter. *CUE THE FRIENDS* LOL It was their undoing, but it wasn't bad as I thought it was going to be. I think the outside of this place is uninviting. It looks old but the inside is much more modern with comfy booths and seats. It wasn't packed for 11pm on a Sunday. You can tell that there were the regulars and a few youngin's (me included LOL) The bartender we had must've been new because she was a little slow in pouring our drinks and she was having trouble at the cash register too. I overheard her saying that she didn't know what to charge us. Not bad for $4 for my gin and tonic. I had 2 of them.
Anways, parking sucks there. The parking lot is sooo small!! There is very limited street parking close to this place too. So carpool or go on a Sunday night like I did. LOL
Great location! Â :) Â Close to home and walking distance. Â It doesn't look much when on the outside, but its not bad inside. Â They have a live DJ inside and it's not so crowded. Â A plus. Â A must try is their Pineapple upside down drink. Â Really yummiers! Â :) Â You can't really tell it has alcohol in it, but it has vodka. Â Slow creeper but a really good drink! Â
Try the place and try the drink. Â Ladies might like the drink more.
Bartender was flying on tweak or blow, talking a mile a second like a chipmunk and bouncing off the walls, but still friendly and cocktail service worked.
Drinks are small. With three sips our glasses were empty.
Some Bozo with a chefs bib shirt and skull cap was making tacos, but never came around to take anyone's order or serve after assuring us he would,,,,, and the night wore on.
Appeared to be flying on something as well.
Interesting drink menu worth exploring if you're a boozer.
Half the TV's in awkward places with goofy drama shows on instead of sports. The other half of the TV's were off. All this during the Lakers and Clippers Games.
Very friendly atmosphere.
fresh from casting our in-vain ballots yesterday, the mister and i headed off to the norwood, where, to our surprised delight, we were gifted with a fabulously unexpected treat! Â
you voted! exclaimed the bartendress. that means you get a 2 for 1 drink!
wow! we exclaimed in return! we'll each take not 1 but 2 jameson's for the price of 1!
not only were we happily sipping our golden liquid mood improver, but we also partook of $1.00 Taco Tuesday. the mister consumed 5 of the chimmichurri steak tacos, and i had one with just the sauce, onions and a slice of avocado. now, to put these tacos in perspective, for the mister's b-day back in august, we sampled similar soft-shelled tacos as an appetizer at the bow and truss in noho. the tacos we tried from the truss were bland, boring and overpriced, while the norwood inn tacos were bursting with fresh, clean flavor, a balance of heat and savory, neither greasy nor overcooked. and they had steak! and they were only $1.00 each. in fact, the mister is convinced that eric, the genius-maker-of-tacos, is a thwarted professional chef denied his rightly earned accolades.
the mister: Â 'this is the best soft-shelled anything i can remember having anywhere.'
one dollar. rock on!
i don't recollect the happy hour hours, but they are regular and extended, and jameson's is always fairly priced.
Cool place to hang out. I think the bartenders are awesome. Â There is no cover anymore. That's a plus. I like the fact that you can go somewhere, get a good drink, and have a good time listening to good music. Sunday's and Monday's are really cool for people who dig karaoke. I'm going back especially for that drink called, 'Phil's Babaloo'. Whats sells me on this is the Late Nite Happy Hour.
Review Source:I always thought this place was pretty decent for a dive bar. Good cheap drinks and never too crowded. That's kind of the extent to the place or so I thought. Me and my friends came one time and they would not let us in. Why? Because they had turned the place into a club for the night. Not only were we told that we were not dress in the right attire, but they charged at the door. Really guys it's a dive bar. You are neither trendy nor classy. Just stick with what you are good at and that's make cheap drinks to your locals. If they plan on making this a usually thing then I don't know if I will be coming back anytime soon.
Review Source:My last visit was a month ago and prior to that was 5 months ago. All I can say is a whole lot has changed. Even my favorite bartender "Fernando" is gone. You can order food from Los Arbolitos (across the street) but the last time I was there the bartender discouraged me from doing so. I love the inside, but I just don't think I'll be going back. The drinks are pricey and a bit watered down.
My reason for going back: I can't think of any right now =(
I give this place 3.5 stars, I think it deserves a little more credit than just 3 stars but doesn't quite make it to 4 stars just yet. Â You're probably wondering what the reason(s) is and I'll tell you why.
I've lived in the valley pretty much all my life and have passed by this bar countless times. Â I've ALWAYS thought it was "ghetto" because the outside sign doesn't seem inviting and it appears "old." Â I say old cuz it seems like old, country-like folks would go here. Â It's looks like a dive bar from the outside, BUT on the inside looks NICE! Â My friend said they recently renovated it and before it really did look like a dive bar inside. Â But now it looks like a lounge with some high tables and some couches to lounge on. Â I was really impressed and couldn't get over how nice it was inside and all these years I never thought I would step foot inside of here!
I came here on a Tuesday night with my friend who suggested it to me, she lives nearby and we've known each other since forever. Â She's the one dishing me all the details of this place, how it looked before and how it is now. Â When we walked in there was literally like 5 people here, and that's already including the bartender!!! Â I've never walked into a bar this empty ever hehe. Â Anyway, we sat down and I had a Stella and my friend had Scotch on the rocks. Â Both together cost $16 (w/out tip). Â So it seems somewhat reasonable but this place still needs to build up its reputation so to me, the price of our drinks shouldn't have been that much. Â Around 1030PM a DJ started playing music, at that time it was now just me and my friend and the bartender!!! Â The bartender was really friendly, he kept asking if we were ok or if we wanted anything else. Â Oh, and the bathrooms are pretty decent and nice too. Â Wasn't "ghetto" looking.
I think I will come back here just cuz it's close to home and isn't bad looking at all, at least on the inside. Â Sometimes its nice to go to small dive bars and enjoy the drinks with the locals than going to a bar full of stuck up and superficial looking people.
So I have to start by disclosing that my husband knows the owner, but that is certainly not the only reason I am a fan!
Before the current owner, this place seemed a little rough, dark, and scary. Â I probably would have never stepped foot inside. Â However, in the past year or two, the place has really classed up!
Do not be fooled by the exterior: Â inside this place is gorgeous! Â It is always clean, the bar is well-kept, and the bathrooms are spotless, even on a busy Friday night.
It's a great place to watch a game in the afternoon, or to listen to live music.
And, the Cucumber Margarita is a must-try. Â Unbelievable!
wow. the outside of this place is really deceiving. Nice dark woods and they have a pretty good beer selection and cognac selection. Who knew I could fin Louie in North Hills. The bartender was pretty and made a great mojito. I will be back. Maybe not on a weekend but for a weeknight its right up my alley.
Review Source:Norwood is a place I'll go when the night ended too early and I'm not ready for it to end. Â I have probably embarrassed myself one too many times here, but luckily, it's really dark inside.
Why I go back:
-- Convenience. Â It's local.
-- Decor. Â It's not too shabby inside. Â It's actually kind of nice. Â If you go in the early evening (before the lights go off and the DJ starts playing), it's a nice laid back lounge. Â There's flat screens to watch games, ample seating and table space. Â I heard they'll even order food for you from a Mexican spot nearby and bring it to you.
-- Service. Â The bartenders are kind of nice. Â They're not douche-y, or overbearingly friendly. Â They kind of just... let you be. Â It's simple. Â I like it. Â
-- There's a Starbucks and liquor store nearby. Â Fiending for coffee can turn into knocking back a few drinks. Â Getting drunk can turn into eating chips on the curb in front of the local liquor store. Â You go just to see where the night leads you. Â
Why I hesitate to go back:
-- Drink prices. Â It's not cheap. Â But it isn't too pricey either. Â But it's not cheap.
-- Some nights, there's cover. Â If you don't go early enough, they might charge $10 each for males. Â Norwood isn't worth me being sexist with my invites for a night out. Â When I just happen to be with only females and we're still looking to stay out, then we'll venture there. Â But their cover on dudes is the reason why it's not the place we think of going first. Â It's just nicer when the night's easy.
-- The crowd. Â [Insert a few judgmental sentences.] Â Two "but's." Â 1. Â Sometimes it's not crowded; 2. Â If you're highly intoxicated, you won't even notice.
Obviously, the hesitation doesn't really hold me back. Â Norwood is always a local option. Â It always gives a nice story with a couple of laughs.
This place blows. I went in there, completely sober, and was cut off after 3 drinks! Lol. Look, I am going to be honest. I drink 7 or 8 on average. I was barely buzzed. I wasn't acting inappropriate, or being loud, or anything. I was completely shocked. I have never been cut off anywhere before, let alone a bar, and at 3 drinks! Tall, male, Hispanic bartender, he sucks. If you want to go to a bar to drink alcohol, and have a good time, don't go here.
Review Source:I like the decor but the DJ last night needed some guidance. Â You can't mix loungy music and dance music. Â I should have waiting for the 11pm DJ (Thursday) to see if it was happening, but I was ready to bounce. Â I'd go again. Â It's close by. I'm a sucker for local spots. Yes, the cucumber margaritas are good.
Review Source:From the outside this place looks like that bar in Goodfellas where Tommy and Jimmy beat down that dude for clownin..."Now go get ya f*ckin shine box!". On the inside it has a cool vibe not really expected in this part of the valley. Good draft beer selection, average to above average drink prices for North Hills.
It gets poppin' Thursdays with the DJ spinnin Hip-Hop and R&B which is cool. $10 cover, which is pretty wack because they don't even have  dance floor. It's not a club, it's a friggin dive! I guess their tryin to discourage the thug ass foo's from stopping by.
Pros: Good music, cute latinas, decent prices, cool decor
Cons: Cover charge weekend nights, very small, ghetto area, & a midget ass doorman with a Napoleon complex (your b*tch chose me!) You're just a friggin doorman!...Doorman!!
Not gonna lie: This place looks like a shithole from the outside. Â The exterior is kinda scary and the sign obviously hasn't been updated in decades. Â But you know what? If it keeps this place from being overrun by hipsters, fan-fucking-tastic. Â
The inside is clean and nice with leather benches and a few low tables.
I have only been here during the week (a Monday and Tuesday). Â It was practically empty (except for the large group of CSUN students I was with). Â Tuesday is Ladies' Night, so the drinks are half-price for girls. Â On an average night the drinks are priced a little high given the area, but not as high as anything south of the valley. Â
Sunday is a apparently Live Band Karaoke night. Â So going back for that.
It's sad really; I drove by the Norwood hundreds of times, and always thought the place looked kinda hood. Â The place seemed small, dingy, with some old sign that give the place that abandoned look. Â Â Don't get me wrong, I AM hood, man, I represent the hood. Â But even some places, I tilt my head back, look down my nose and say, 'Damn, that place is hood!' Â
That is the outside, but step inside and the place is simply beautiful. Â Ambient lighting, nice and low, super clean, wooden floor, mounted mirrors matched with matching dark paint and lounge chairs, and an immaculate bar. Â PLUS, the drinks are solid, I was ashamed of myself, and so I had to have a drink, to drown out my shame. Â Apparently, I had a lot of shame, because I lost count after the third drink, but hey, it was more therapeutic than bingeing, so it's more for sanity than drinking's sake right? Â
Well that was my fist Norwood story. Â
The second went down this past Thursday; I left campus and was at the Norwood at 10:30pm. Â I guess it was dance night, the place started getting packed and they had a DJ that was pretty damn good. Â At some point in the night, I was treated to a few drinks, got freaked by two gay dudes, met a girl whose name I didn't catch, and got involved in a bar fight right at closing time.
DAMN, what a charming night!! Simply, charming!!!!
I think one of the dudes lost a tooth, so classy--C'est la vie!
I live about 2 minutes walking distance from this bar. Â I know that they recently underwent a management or ownership change and that the crowd has gotten a bit younger. Â
I came here with my friend (after Pita Kitchen) on Friday because we weren't ready to call it a night.
Other Yelpers are correct when they say that the exterior does not coincide at all with the interior. Â It's done rather nicely with leather booths lining the entire place.
We sat down at the bar and a really nice bartender greeted us. Â She gave us drink reccomendations based on the type of drinks we usually go for (very much appreciated). Â I had a cucumber margarita. Â It was SO good! Â Really really refreshing. Â My friend had a gimlet (spelling?), which was also good, but a bit heavy handed on the lime juice.
We arrived a bit early, so the dj was just starting up. Â Music was good, it was starting to be more packed as we were leaving.
It's just as good, if not better, than any other bar I have been to...AND it's walking distance from my house!
I want to go back on a Sunday and check out the karaoke night!
Score, I've found a new spot to have a drink and chill!
I've been here a few times with some friends that are from around this area...
I've never had a bad time here...I treated it more like a lounge...A few long booth style seats and a bar...
I always hear the same thing,
"It's the bar from that movie Justin Timberlake was in..."
I have no idea...
Drinks are nice and strong...Bartenders are real attentive, but then again, my friends and I are a real attractive bunch...hahahaha...
My only gripe is there is no place to sit and smoke a cigarette...Nothing really beats being able to enjoy your freshly poured drink in one hand and the first cigarette out of a newly opened pack of Marlboros...
Other than that, good for what it is and if you treat it like that, then you shouldn't be disappointed...I also noticed a lot of people come here to pre-party...I usually end up meeting people telling me where the hot spots are, depending on the night...
This place looks bad on the outside but very clean and freshly remodeled on the inside. I do not hang out here much but it is a nice place to go for a change of scenery.
The bar tenders are very nice and make great drinks but I have to give it 3 stars because the location sucks, North Hills is one the more shady neighborhoods in the Valley (2 blocks east is the worst neighborhood in the valley).
I came here on a non-karaoke night so my experience was probably tamer than usual. I really love it here. Northridge lacks a lot of places for nightlife, and this place is really nice inside. Its really chill and nobody bugs you here, you can just come here after work and relax. It looks really run down outside, but in fact it's remodeled inside so you can totally take a date here and look savvy. Their mixed drinks are delicious. Enjoy!
Review Source:"I'm a cowboy, on a steel horse I ride...I'm wanted, (waaanted) Dead or Alive"
It was 1am and I remember looking upon the crowd (7 people) and thinking man I'm good. About two people clapped and i went back to my barstool ready to sign up for another song to karaoke.
Norwood is in North Hills, and sits on the corner of Nordoff & Woodley. Hence the name. From the outside it looks like a run down unkempt building. The sign is dingy, and some letters are missing from the lotto sign out front. But inside, is the epitome of a "dive bar". Â It is a good size. Bigger than a hole in wall and small enough that the barkeep won't forget about you.
I went and was served by a Bartender named Vicki, she makes the drinks strong and knows what she is doing. I initially went to shoot a game of pool and have two drinks, but as the night progress I ended up participating in the Karaoke and chatting with the friendly local who are there almost daily.
The Karaoke is Fridays, and Saturdays, the joint has a pool table and a couple of dart boards. The smokers you will find congregating outside the back door, inviting you into there conversation and willing to let you bum a cig if need be.
All in all it is a good place to unwind and spend an evening. There is no rough riff-raff in there and the atmosphere is very inviting to newcomers.
I think ill go for happy hour...