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    The Lively

    3.9 (139 reviews)
    Closed 4:00 pm - 10:00 PM

    The Lively Photos

    Business Info

    THE LIVELY ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Classy
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - The Lively

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    Hamachi and Stuhlmuller Chardonnay
    Chris D.

    Absolutely my GO TO Date Restaurant In Boise!!! Last Night was Great, made even better by the Waiter, Bousani !!! Watermelon Gazpacho was BEYOND Flavorful, the Hamachi Crudo merely FANTASTIC and the Denver Steak was served perfectly Medium Rare !!! Always a Pleasure to dine here

    Leo L.

    In my honest review this place was a huge miss. I'll start with the positive. The atmosphere was very beautiful and romantic, exactly what you are looking for an upscale restaurant. My dinner experience started great. I had the Spot Prawn Crudo which was so creamy and delicious. But everything started to go down hill pretty quickly. One of the server asked to clear our plate, and surprisingly she started to clear our personal plate with food still on it. That threw me off, and after she cleared our plate we waited a quite awhile for our entrees to arrive. 35+mins. We ordered the $65 dollar New York steak and some sort of fancy ravioli which came out so cold. The steak was presented so boring and unappetizing. And the ravioli was really nothing to write home about. For the price I feel like your neighborhood Applebees had better service and food. I'm sorry to say the Lively was disappointing overall.

    Starters
    Kelsy P.

    Trendy, classy, craft cocktails, and excellent food! We went to the Lively for my birthday, and they truly made our experience memorable. Our waiter gave great recommendations, and was very knowledgeable. Their bar is top notch so I recommend going for a cocktail! You can tell this menu was carefully curated and is focused on using high-quality fresh ingredients. They have great starters to share, my personal favorite was the octopus! The cote de boeuf was phenomenal. A great cut of meat cooked perfectly, but it is a lot of food so I recommend sharing! I think the desserts were my favorite part. The funfetti birthday cake slice was a nice touch and the carrot cake was so moist. Be sure to make a reservation! The name speaks for itself.

    Steak Tartare
    Mimi K.

    First of all, the restaurant is gorgeous. Pictures do not do justice, I expected less based on pics. Food was amazing. I ordered the half chicken (homey vibes with an upscale flare), steak tartare (Tastier with every bite), and the Basque cheesecake (looks pretty and taste gorgeous). I had Nate as a server and he was pretty great. I wasn't able to really determine what I would like and my experience in Idaho so far was that I do not like the drinks. Nate gave me recommendations based on little information that I gave and recommend two drinks throughout the night that I liked but still pushed me out of my comfort zone. He didn't seem super confident when recommending but he did a great job and anyone should trust him as their server. So yes service was great as well. Not just Nate but from the other servers and host as well. I have a severe allergy and clearly it was discussed before I came in and I was told immediately what I could not order and what I could have adjustments for. I would trust this restaurants and the chefs with other dietary restrictions as well based on my experience. If I do return to Idaho I will visit Lively again.

    Upstairs dining room
    Rachael F.

    I wanted to love The Lively, but at best it was lackluster. The space is gorgeous, seating comfortable and well appointed glassware and table settings. It fell short on the food, and while our server was nice and the assistants kept our waters full, it was super slow, bar drinks took way too long (to the point a glass of wine was comped because it came after our meal) and finished plates sat a long time. We ordered a glass of wine and cocktails, then about 10 minutes later ordered a bottle. The bottle got to our table way before the cocktails and single glass did. Also, my friend didn't finish her cocktail because it was way too strong for her taste. The wine was wonderful and they had an extensive list, with wine by the bottle ranging from $40 to $180+. Excellent Italian selection for old world wines. We had the meatball appetizer and tuna. Tuna was a hit for the table, the meatball sauce was amazing, the meatballs were fine. For entrees, I ordered the ravioli and it was so al dente the pasta was doughy and the filling was cold. It took a while before our server to come back (I had to ask for him) and I sent it back. They remade it and it was delicious, pasta cooked perfectly, but I ate after the rest of our table was done. My friends noted their pasta dishes were over salted, and 3 of them didn't finish them. The steak dishes were a hit and seemed to be cooked to order. It is a very small menu (and it was different than the one published online), but a good selection. I tried the frozen hot chocolate for dessert. It was pretty, but hard to eat in the dish they serve it in and the cream was way too cold to eat before the hot chocolate got too cold to melt it. The marshmallow was yummy, but they put these large dry meringue shards stuck in the top, so that made it more awkward to eat. I had high hopes for that dessert, but it just didn't deliver, especially for $13. It was quite expensive and overall, there are simply other downtown restaurants I prefer with better food and better service.

    Negroni
    Hope M.

    If you're in Boise you have to come try this restaurant! It's gets quite busy on the weekends so make sure to make a reservation! The decor inside is so cute and all the staff are so friendly and are knowledgeable with the menu. We ordered the grilled octopus, cote de boeuf, and coffee and doughnuts. Hands down our favorite was the cote de boeuf. The flavors were fantastic and the beef was so tender it melted in your mouth. Pro tip: book the chefs table with a group of friends! Kevin (the chef at The Lively) is so talented and he'll curate a menu that will be unforgettable!

    Trout
    Gabrielle C.

    I was excited to try this place for my birthday dinner. The atmosphere is stunning. I was so happy they had a few mock tails to choose from, mine was delish! For entrees I had the trout which was lovely, but my friend had their rendition on a "pot pie". It was really small, no veggies and a cracker type crust. Basically beef in gravy. It was dry and not what we expected. For dessert we agreed to try the seasonal apple tartine. The apples were sour (maybe not cooked enough or not caramelized enough) on a dough but it was soggy. That was my birthday dessert. I mentioned I did not care for it and nothing was done. Over all a beautiful place, but you have to know what to order and the seasonal items were 0-2 for us.

    First floor dinning room
    Kyle N.

    Impecable environment; classy decor, from the wall paper, to the furniture, artwork, clean lines, lighting and colors pallet. The staff is very friendly, and food presentation sophisticated and appealing. I ordered the half roasted chicken, it was slightly overcooked and too salty. For dessert I ordered their signature coffee & beignets, it was very good. The coffee was not an actual coffee, but rather a coffee flavored ice cream similar to an affogato, on crispy sea salt caramel thins, topped with a creamy mousse. Overall I was pleased with the experience, but the food came short of expectations for their price point.

    Bar
    Bretton H.

    Aesthetically, The Lively is probably one of the more beautiful restaurants I've visited in Boise. Decor, wallpaper, art etc. all helped to create an excellent, chill vibe. My wife and I opted to try a few of their appetizers. We had the Salmon Carpaccio and tartare. Carpaccio was underwhelming. The salmon itself was well prepared however the coconut cream (literally tasted like it was straight out of a can) overpowered the dish. Server mentioned it was cured in pineapple and jalapeño. I wasn't able to detect either of these. The tartare was oily and too salty while lacking an acidic component which I think may have tied the dish together. The cured egg yolk may have been the culprit in causing the ubiquitous amount of salt. While I do appreciate the gesture of trying to throw their own spin on some dishes that are relatively classic, I still stand by the saying that there is "elegance in simplicity." Service was sub par for what I'd expect at an establishment of this type. We were open to staying for dinner, but after the underwhelming dishes and an extended wait time for our cocktail in an empty restaurant that appeared fully staffed, we decided to venture elsewhere.

    Amanda S.

    My lovely husband surprised me with dinner reservations here on 10/30/2021. Overall, we both enjoyed our meals and had a great experience. Upon walking in we were seated at the second lev right by the bustling open kitchen. While I appreciate an establishment that is transparent with it's kitchen I didn't enjoy being so close. Plus the seating was awkward. My husband and I were side by side instead of across from each other. Not very romantic at all, so we requested to be moved, which was done so promptly. I ordered the Gibbon Burger (SRF & Double Ranch blend, melting onion, Beecher's flagship cheddar, Gibbon sauce, medium, $17.00). I'm a fan of Beecher's and an even bigger fan of burgers so this caught my attention right away. My husband ordered the 1/2 Roasted Chicken (king trumpet mushroom, pommes purée, Spanish sherry vinegar, $25.00) which a side of the richest mashed potatoes you'll ever have. More on those in a minute. My burger was nothing short of excellent! It was cooked to the perfect doneness as asked and paired wonderfully with the well-seasoned, crispy fries. One of the best burgers I've had in a long time. My husband's chicken was exactly as describe - a whole half (?) of juicy chicken on top of the best mashed potatoes I'd ever put in my mouth. From what I remember, they were half butter and half potatoes. Super fluffy yet filling and tasted so so soooo good. Besides the seating issue in the beginning which was fixed right away, I enjoyed the rest of my time at the Lively so I can't give anything below 5 stars. Definitely recommend!!!

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

    We love going here to celebrate the food is the best we have had in Boise, the staff is so kind, and it's gorgeous at this restaurant

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    3 years ago

    We celebrated our wedding anniversary here! Such great food and amazing service! I crave the coffee and donuts everyday

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    Page 3 of 4

    Ask the Community - The Lively

    Do they allow bring your own wine and if so, what's the corkage fee?

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    The Mode Lounge

    The Mode Lounge

    3.9
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    I was in town for business, and I had a local friend tell me, "you gotta go in here. You can tell…read morethe bartender what you like flavor wise, and they will make you something even better than you can imagine." And that, my friends, is exactly what happened. I walked in, not sure what to get. The bartender asked me what flavors I like. She went away and made me this epic cocktail. She told me all the things she added, and it was clear, these bartenders are the real deal. They know their stuff. I drank my delightful cocktail way too fast. But it was so damn good. The vibe is fun. They bartenders interact with everyone and do all kinds of cool things with cool ingredients and tell you about it all. Perfect spot for a loungey date night, or a meet up with a friend. There is no food. But plenty of spots on 8th in walking distance. This is probably one of the best cocktail bars I've ever been to. ... and I've been to a lot. :)

    I first came here in June of last year (2025), Before I moved to the treasure Valley area. Within…read morethe first hour of being here, I felt the most welcome. Like this bar changed my whole perspective on the whole state of Idaho being a California transplant, which doesn't hold that much weight with other people in Idaho, but I don't care. I will always come here anytime I come downtown and I will always overtip because the likes of Ruby and Darien never disappoint, including the regulars, whom are also always nice. For every overrated cactus bar with the worst service, there is the mode lounge which sets the standard for everything in Boise.

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    Love this hand drawn list of all the employees or "family"
    Love this hand drawn list of all the employees or "family"
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    Sleek interior and bar
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    Gatsby

    Gatsby

    4.6
    (216 reviews)
    0.2 mi

    A speak easy in Boise! I was intrigued! The whole experience was so fun to share with a group of…read morefriends! We stood in the alley and knocked on the door. A small window in the door opened and we had to provide a password to gain entry. (Initially our large group had to reserve 3 time slots and we would be seated separately.) I was in the first group. We were let into a small area with floor to ceiling bookcases. Of course there was a book that once pulled, opened a secret door to the bar within. The ambiance was dim lighting and groups of comfortable seating areas. The waiter was very attentive and knowledgeable about the drinks on the menu. I started with a mocktail that could be made vegan by omitting the egg white. Beautifully presented with a flower design. It was sweet and it was tart. The second drink I got was a cocktail that was smooth with a perfect amount of sweet. My friends got cocktails in their unique glasses. When our next group came through, they were led into a room. After a while, one friend came out to say hello to us. The waiter noticed that we knew each other and told my group to follow him. The room was dimly lit and was furnished with comfortable armchairs and couches. Our third group was able to join us in the room and we were able to mingle seated or standing. The different drinks that were ordered were so cool. A smoky bubble was set on top of a cone shaped glass that resembled an ice cream cone. I had a couple of friends that ordered gin drinks and they were served in a bathtub complete with rubber ducky! This was such a fun and special way to celebrate a friend's birthday! The service was superb!

    I've been to several speakeasies around the USA and Gatsby should be the standard of what a…read morespeakeasy should be. No really! Imagine yourself walking through the 8th St promenade in downtown Boise. It's hustling and bustling with people and restaurants that are packed. Then, out of the corner of your eye, you see an alley. It's kinda dark, maybe a little unsettling at first. You see a steel door with a small panel at the top of the door. No door handles but a green lit old stagecoach light, a small wooden sign hanging g just beyond the door with a key on it. Hmmm, strange. In faded sharpie letters it says Knock knock on the metal door, so you knock twice. The panel on the door slides open and they ask for the password. Whoa!!!! Luckily you called ahead to make reservations so they whispered it to you. You give the password and door opens to a tiny little library with a couple of shelves full of books. The hosts welcomes you and you stare at the bookshelf knowing it isn't just a bookshelf but a door. You try pulling on different books guessing which is the right one but after a minute the hostess shows you and you enter a beautiful brick walled 1920s decorated room with seats and dim lights and no windows whatsoever. The artwork is prohibition-era themed. Heck, there's even a stack of wooden barrels that supposedly hold spirits. That is exactly the speakeasy experience you are looking for. We were seated in the boiler room, a private area which had beautiful wooden lockers with glass doors all lit up and full of booze. Books line the wall and there is an old fireplace covered with candles that have melted wax all over the mantle. In the corner is a poker table. Really the perfect vibe for a speakeasy. Glance at the menu and notice their tang of cheaper to very rare and unique spirits, some costing hundreds of dollars for a shot. Whisky, vodka, rum, gin, scotch, bourbon, you name it. But also check out their cocktails. They can even make mocktails if you don't want alcohol. Not only are the drinks unique but so is their presentation. The glades used I've never seen. Some drinks have a printed pattern on them, others come with dry ice that quickly evaporates or a cool smoked filled bubble. The whole experience was just amazing. This is a do not miss opportunity if you like drinks and cool, unique experiences. They even have another room in the back called the Garrison Room which looks like a mineshaft. I just love the thought put into this place. And when you are done, you exit through a nondescript door and exits to a patio area of another restaurant and back out to the promenade. Just a wow experience! So glad I did it.

    Photos
    Garrison room
    Garrison room
    JAMES CAGNEY and JEAN HARLOW
    JAMES CAGNEY and JEAN HARLOW
    Sisters enjoying the Gatsby atmosphere.

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    Sisters enjoying the Gatsby atmosphere.
    Water Bear Bar

    Water Bear Bar

    3.8
    (106 reviews)
    0.3 mi

    As soon as you enter this bar, you're welcomed by great beats, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and a…read moresense of inclusivity. The old-fashioned cocktail I ordered was delicious, while my wife enjoyed the dangerously good Lady Bountiful. Our servers took great care of us, providing plenty of water and ensuring we had everything we needed. The atmosphere of the place makes you feel welcomed and inspired to engage in conversations.

    This place is SUCH a vibe! We wanted to get a couple drinks and snacks and this was just the place…read more It's dimly lit, lots of comfy seating at the bar and tables throughout. The service was wonderful and the staff was super attentive. The drink menu was so interesting and unique too! They have an old fashioned of the day, which my partner got and really enjoyed. We're from Utah and these drinks aren't Utah pours, I'll tell you that much! They were really delicious. I got the aqueduct which had vodka, passionfruit-peach honey, lime, and curacao. I was worried it was going to be too sweet when I ordered it but it was delicious. I also got the Hawaiian Chi Chi which had vodka, macadamia nut liqueur, coconut cream, pineapple, and orange. The macadamia nut liqueur was so unique and delicious, it really added a lot to the drink. Both drinks were amazing, and not too sweet or overpowering in flavor, and I would order them again. They have a snacky menu - we got their chips & queso and my partner ordered their oysters and really enjoyed them. The chips and queso were wonderful.

    Photos
    House made syrups
    House made syrups
    Bar
    Bar
    Penicillin and some other drink I don't remember the name of.

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    Penicillin and some other drink I don't remember the name of.
    Red Feather Lounge

    Red Feather Lounge

    4.0
    (399 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    Table service with indoor and outdoor seating plus a bar. Friendly attentive service. The outdoor…read moreseating is well-sheltered and the indoor seating has a nice open feel. Recommend the "KFC" appetizer (breaded cauliflower florets with gochujang bbq sauce).

    This was an impromptu Fathers Day Brunch...couldn't remember being here until I walked up....then…read moreit came back. Now I know I have not eaten here before...we did stop in a couple of times and once left because nothing on the HH menu looked good to us at that time. The second time we walked out after sitting there for 10-15 minutes and not getting any service! Now it was a beautiful morning and my gf really wanted to go here, great patio I will say. It took a bit seeing that we didn't have a reservation but we did get seated on the patio. Now I will say the service was not great but it was not an issue for the most part, I thought our waitress did a good job she was just really busy! What I will judge was the wait and the food! I love the fact they care about their ingredients, what they use and where they get it...it showed in some ways! What I didn't love was the fact they absolutely sucked on the follow through! I had the crab eggs Benedict...now I remember from culinarily school that hollandaise sauce is hard, but making it without it breaking is a MUST! Mine was broken, fat separated out, something you would never see at a half ass breakfast place like Dennys!! This was gross, pure and simple! My gfs breakfast came out wrong...took a while to get it the first time and even longer to get the right dish!!! It was an eggswhite Frittata, they do not take long to make in a very small cast iron! Now the part that I really didn't like...she paid, she is not my baby momma, love of my life but not mother of my daughter...and she paid the whole bill!! She should not have been charged for the Frittata...it took forever to get the right one and then she didn't eat much of it at all, we were done time wise and it was not good...very bland and rubbery!! She wouldn't let me complain since she was paying, she is so sweet and kind, just that kind of person! I was tempted to quietly track down the manager...but didn't! Should have! Over all, don't think I would go back! When your kitchen can't make simple sauces and the basics, why should I give you my money?? Or hers! The manager owes her a gift card! KT

    Photos
    Cauliflower "KFC"
    Cauliflower "KFC"
    Main area
    Main area
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    Huevos Rancheros

    The Lively - newamerican - Updated June 2026

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