Los Angeles has no shortage of places to grab a drink, but sometimes you want somewhere a little more relaxed than a busy cocktail bar where the wine is just an afterthought.
Across the city, a new generation of wine bars is making a night out about discovering interesting bottles, sharing a few plates and settling into a space that feels as good as the wine tastes.
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Whether you're planning a date night, catching up with friends or looking for your next neighborhood favorite, these nine LA wine bars are worth adding to your list.
1. Bar Covell, Los Feliz
If you enjoy discovering new wines without feeling like you need a degree in winemaking, Bar Covell is a great place to start.
Located on Hollywood Boulevard in Los Feliz, this neighborhood favorite takes a conversational approach to choosing wine, with staff helping you find something based on the flavors and styles you enjoy.
Rather than getting overwhelmed by a traditional wine list, you can explain what you're in the mood for and let the team guide you toward a glass worth trying.
The cozy atmosphere and selection of small plates make it a good option for a relaxed date or an evening catching up with friends.
2. A.O.C., West Hollywood
For a more polished evening out, A.O.C. combines an extensive wine program with seasonal California and Mediterranean-inspired food.
The West Third Street restaurant is known for its inviting courtyard and menu of dishes designed for sharing, making it easy to turn a glass of wine into a leisurely dinner.
Its wine selection includes organic, natural and biodynamic options, alongside bottles from a variety of established and emerging producers.
It's a particularly appealing choice when you want the atmosphere of a stylish restaurant without making wine an afterthought.
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3. Tabula Rasa Bar, East Hollywood
Tabula Rasa has built a following among LA wine drinkers looking for interesting bottles in an unpretentious setting.
Situated on Hollywood Boulevard in East Hollywood, the bar focuses on natural and low-intervention wines, with a changing selection that encourages visitors to try something different.
The relaxed neighborhood atmosphere makes it a good option for an informal evening, while the food menu gives you a reason to stay for more than one glass.
If you're curious about natural wine but don't know where to begin, this is the kind of place where asking for a recommendation can be part of the fun.
4. Bar Bandini, Echo Park
Bar Bandini is a small, intimate wine bar that suits the creative, independent feel of Echo Park.
Its selection leans toward natural wines from California and Europe, offering plenty of opportunities to explore bottles that might not be familiar to casual wine drinkers.
The atmosphere is more neighborhood hangout than formal tasting room, with snacks and a compact setting that works well for a low-key evening.
It's worth considering if you prefer discovering smaller producers and enjoying wine somewhere that feels personal rather than overly polished.
5. Offhand Wine Bar, Santa Monica
Wine lovers on the Westside don't have to head across town to find a relaxed place to enjoy a glass.
Offhand Wine Bar in Santa Monica focuses on natural and low-intervention bottles, with a welcoming atmosphere that makes it approachable whether you're already a wine enthusiast or simply curious.
The rotating selection gives regular visitors something new to explore, while the staff can help you choose a bottle based on your tastes.
It's a useful addition to a Santa Monica evening, especially if you want somewhere more intimate than a large restaurant or a busy beachside bar.
6. Mignon, Downtown LA
Downtown LA has plenty of places for a big night out, but Mignon offers a more intimate option for people who would rather spend their evening discovering wine.
Located in the Historic Core, this small wine bar is known for its carefully selected bottles and focus on natural wines.
Its compact setting makes it a good stop before dinner or somewhere to settle in for a more leisurely evening, depending on your plans.
If you're exploring Downtown's restaurants, independent businesses and historic streets, Mignon is worth adding to the itinerary.
7. Augustine Wine Bar, Sherman Oaks
For anyone on the Valley side of Los Angeles, Augustine Wine Bar offers a different experience from the city's natural-wine-focused neighborhood spots.
The Sherman Oaks venue is particularly known for its extensive collection of older and rare wines, including sought-after bottles that can appeal to serious collectors and curious drinkers alike.
Its selection and small-plates offering make it a destination for people who enjoy exploring wine beyond the usual by-the-glass choices.
If you're interested in older vintages or want to make wine the main event of the evening, Augustine is one to investigate.
8. Enoteca Del Re, Chinatown
Chinatown is another part of Los Angeles worth exploring for a more independent wine-bar experience.
Enoteca Del Re focuses on organic and low-intervention wines, appealing to drinkers who enjoy discovering smaller producers and bottles made with a less interventionist approach.
The emphasis is on exploring wine in a more relaxed setting, rather than treating it as something reserved for formal dinners or special occasions.
It's a good option to consider when planning an evening around Downtown LA's restaurants, galleries and bars.
9. Wife and the Somm, Glassell Park
For a neighborhood wine bar away from some of the city's busiest nightlife districts, Wife and the Somm in Glassell Park is worth knowing about.
The venue is associated with a natural-wine-focused approach, making it an option for drinkers interested in bottles that showcase different grapes, regions and winemaking styles.
Its neighborhood feel is part of the appeal, offering a more laid-back alternative to a glamorous restaurant setting.
If you're exploring northeast LA, it gives you another reason to look beyond the city's best-known dining neighborhoods when planning your next night out.
Finding your next favorite wine bar in LA
The best thing about Los Angeles' wine-bar scene is how varied it has become.
You can spend an evening exploring natural wines in East Hollywood, enjoy a polished dinner in West Hollywood or head to Sherman Oaks for a chance to discover older vintages.
You don't need to be a wine expert to enjoy any of them. Start with a style you already like, ask the staff for recommendations and be open to trying something new.
Before heading out, check each venue's current hours, menu and reservation policy, as these can change.
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