North Hollywood’s former Federal Bar has traded in its history for full fantasy. A crew of local artists has transformed the familiar corner spot in the NoHo Arts District into The Witch's Cottage, a storybook-style hangout that opened to crowds this past weekend. By day it runs as a bakery counter and cafe, and by night it turns into a restaurant built around handcrafted trees, secret doors, and whimsical sculptures. Upstairs, a hidden tavern devoted to tabletop gaming turns the two-story space into part cafe, part dinner house and part game-night lair.
According to the Los Angeles Times, co-founders Danielle Ozymandias and Celina Lee Surniak led the redesign with help from investors and creative partners Ana Lovelis and Kenny Enea. The Times reports that more than 200 volunteers collectively put in over 3,000 hours on the build, and that grand-opening weekend drew long lines. The outlet also points to menu flourishes like dragon-themed deviled eggs and a rum-heavy tiki drink called the "Hex Breaker."
Crowdfunding And The Collective Build
As detailed on the project’s Wefunder listing, the team has raised roughly $167,750 toward a $1.235 million goal through a Regulation Crowdfunding campaign, offering revenue-share investment terms to supporters. The Wefunder page also notes design approvals and updated financial projections in late 2025, and that the founders received the keys to the space on March 20, 2025, a timeline that helps explain how neighbors and investors were able to rally and finish out the interior.
What You'll Find Inside
Step inside and the fairy-tale vibes are dialed up: painted constellations on the ceiling, an abstracted mermaid sculpture and engraved bar tops are all meant to feel artful yet "lived in." The Los Angeles Times notes that the upstairs Tempered Flask Tavern functions as a hidden tabletop-gaming room, complete with a smoke-puffing dragon and programmable digital “windows” that game masters can trigger. The space is expected to be rentable by the hour. The founders say they designed the cottage as an all-are-welcome gathering spot, whether you arrive as a witch, a dragon or simply yourself.
Events, Hours And How To Visit
The Witch's Cottage has already tried out event programming with pop-ups such as a "Hearth Market" listed on Eventbrite, and the founders are planning a steady mix of sound baths, comedy nights and workshops. Dinner service is listed as beginning at 5 p.m., and current hours and reservations appear on the venue’s OpenTable profile. For now, the cottage operates as a daytime cafe and an evening restaurant, with rotating programming aimed at bringing neighbors together.
Why It Matters
Backers and the team describe the project as a neighborhood "third place," language used in the Wefunder pitch to explain both the concept and the community-driven funding model. That positioning taps into a growing Valley appetite for themed, experiential venues that blend food with performance and hands-on activities.
For anyone curious to check it out, The Witch’s Cottage is listed at 5303 Lankershim Blvd in North Hollywood and shows up on mapping and reservation sites with contact details and hours. The team expects more ticketed workshops and hourly rentals for the Tempered Flask Tavern to land on the venue’s calendar as staff lock in future programming.
