The best wine bars in Los Angeles

What is it? A low-frills wine bar with a rotating list of high-frills wine.

Why we love it: There's never a quiet night at this Los Feliz wine bar, where each of the 150 wines by the glass comes with a story to tell. Whatever you're in the mood for, an expertly trained member of the staff will make unique wine recommendations based on a few simple questions about your preferences and maybe an adjective or two (think: "fruity," "clean," "funky"). Then, your drink-slinger is off, pouring samples and drawing in the most serious of customers until they crack a smile and get something that’s just to their liking. Discover a new wine from the ever-changing menu as you munch on standard fare like cheese and charcuterie.

Time Out tip: The Sidebar, a secret bar accessed through a bookshelf, can be booked for private events, complete with a dedicated bartender.

Address: 4628 Hollywood Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90027

Opening hours: Mon–Fri 4pm–midnight; Sat, Sun noon–midnight

What is it? An unwavering pillar in quality wines and seasonal California fare.

Why we love it: Though Suzanne Goin's market-driven small plates might get the lion's share of the glory, this iconic Beverly Grove restaurant (with a second roomier outpost in Brentwood) is also one of the best places in town to enjoy a couple of wines or three. Curated by co-owner Caroline Styne, the house wine list is dedicated to boutique producers of the unusual and eclectic (think: small production, biodynamic). A more condensed list is offered by the glass or carafe, for those who'd rather not buy an entire bottle. 

Time Out tip: Take in all of the people-watching action from the indoor communal table among A.O.C.'s usually well-heeled crowd, or head to the charming patio decorated with string lights and plenty of greenery.

Address: 8700 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90048

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 5:30–9pm; Fri 5:30–10pm; Sat, Sun 11am–2:30pm; Sat 5–10pm; Sun 5–9pm

What is it? A high-class wine and dine experience complete with star sightings.

Why we love it: This bustling, always scene-y wine store is both a formidable New American restaurant and excellent wine bar—if you can get past the hour-long wait for a table. On any given night, Wally’s is bound to host at least one celebrity sighting, but you might also be dazzled by its 35-plus-page wine list heavy on French and California selections. As far as wine bars go, Wally’s food and charcuterie offerings are top-tier. Chef Ryan Kluver’s robust menu includes everything from duck to rack-of-lamb to wagyu steak in a variety of forms (massive 36-ounce bone-in Tomahawk, anyone?)

Time Out tip: This is a place to see and be seen; it’s better suited to a lavish night out than an intimate date.

Address: 447 N Canon Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Opening hours: Daily 10am–12:30am

What is it? A date night wine bar with cuisine that rises to the occasion of the bottles.

Why we love it: Housed in an intimate space along West 3rd Street, this no-reservation neighborhood wine bar comes from Andy Paxson and Dave Gibbs, the same pair behind Augustine, Mirabelle and Sushi Note, a Valley omakase bar well-known for its wine pairings. Every bottle is available by the glass on a list that spans red, white, orange, rosé and sparkling. Delicious fare like mussels in a silky coconut milk broth and tender hanger steak make the transition from a drink to dinner quite easy, though the staff is more than happy to uncork a bottle if you're only looking for a casual drink.

Time Out tip: Order the lava cake before you think you want it before another pair of amorous diners swoops the last one.

Address: 8310 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90048

Opening hours: Mon–Sat 5–10pm; Sun 5–9pm

What is it? A dark and often rollicking alcove with sultry, industrial tap room energy.

Why we love it: Echo Park has a surprisingly large number of natural wine bars for such a small neighborhood, but Bar Bandini remains our top pick for its dark, sexy, and unpretentious ambiance. A curated selection of natural and organic wines and beers is listed on black letter boards, both legible and imposing in scale. Dark painted walls, suede banquettes and black slate surfaces are balanced with rustic exposed wood, conducive to both date nights and catching up with friends. Bar Bandini's selection of solid snacks makes it easy to spend a long night of drinking here—and the bar's even open until 2am.

Time Out tip: Find out when their next pizza pop-up or comedy show is by following their Instagram.

Address: 2150 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 4pm–2am; Fri–Sun 3pm–2am

What is it? A sleek wine shop and bar in a relatively quiet corner of Glassell Park.

Why we love it: Run by husband-and-wife duo Chris and Christy Lindgren Lucchese, this Glassell Park wine shop and bar is a convenient one-stop shop for neighborhood locals hoping to pick up a bottle for dinner or sip from a glass as they while the afternoon away on the hidden patio. The menu doesn’t stop with its curated selection of cheese and charcuterie: Seasonal plates like small-batch burrata with beets, homemade pappardelle with Italian sausage and duck leg confit make this a great date night destination in Northeast L.A.

Time Out tip: They now offer a luxurious brunch on Sundays from 11am to 3pm featuring caviar, pillowy buttermilk biscuits, and french toast using Clark Street’s challah bread.

Address: 3416 Verdugo Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90065

Opening hours: Wed, Thu 5–10pm; Fri, Sat 3pm–10pm; Sun 11am–9pm

What is it? A Thai Town mainstay that’s more for friends than dates.

Why we love it: Nestled on the far edge of Thai Town, this neighborhood wine bar offers ample space and plenty of booths for large groups. The wine list is funky, and there's a decent snack selection, but what sets Tabula Rasa apart is the fact that it's open until 2am on Fridays and Saturdays—a rarity among wine bars. 

Time Out tip: A daily happy hour from 4 to 6pm nets you $9 glasses of house wine and $2 off all other varieties, making this place a boon for anyone looking for a discounted drinking experience near East Hollywood.

Address: 5125 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 2pm–midnight; Fri, Sat 2pm–2am; Sun 2pm–midnight

What is it? A lively wine bar next door to the Xuntos restaurant.

Why we love it: Santa Monica isn’t dead yet, and Bar Xuntos is living proof. The walk-ins-only, more casual companion to Xuntos can easily fill with wine aficionados dropping into the bodega-like setting to taste Galician rain in a wine recommended to them by a doting sommelier. You might need some hand-holding to get through their deep catalog of more than 200 Spanish wines and selection of vermouths and sherries which pair well with Simple pinxtos (even tinier plates than tapas, but too artisanal to call a bar bite).

Time Out tip: Try the Anchoa, where humble anchovies melt onto perfectly buttery and crisp Brioche sticks.

Address: 516 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Opening hours: Tue–Thu 3pm–10pm; Fri, Sat 3pm–11pm

What is it? A buzzy, family-friendly wine bar in the Arts District

Why we love it: The Arts District hardly lacks for solid Italian fare, but this neighborhood wine bar manages to carve out a unique space for itself. Housed in digs that suggest a higher price point, Propaganda offers a completely shareable, affordable menu full of cheese plates and Roman pinse, making it a prime spot to impress dates or a couple of friends. Trading the area’s standard industrial look for a mid-century Mediterranean mash-up, both the main dining room and patio feel cozy and intimate. Wine connoisseurs and novices alike can appreciate the lack of pretension and the gentle guidance of knowledgeable staff as you stare into the abyss of more than 100 wines.

Time Out tip: Park for free in the large lot behind the bar with two-hour validation. 

Address: 950 E 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Opening hours: Tue–Thu 3–10pm; Fri 3–11pm; Sat noon–11pm; Sun noon–9pm

What is it? A neighborhood wine bar hidden in Highland Park.

Why we love it: It is with great hesitation that we once again highlight this wine bar that, by all accounts, does not want to be found. The space finds its warmth in wood, from the paneled alcoves to the bistro table, and its strength in simplicity. A lean food menu stands up to their evolving wine list by nailing the basics, from one of the best steaks under $40 to roasted Japanese yams that you’ll dream about.

Time Out tip: Depending on availability, whether a wine is only served by the bottle is a suggestion rather than a hard rule. 

Address: 5530 Monte Vista St, Los Angeles, CA 90042

Opening hours: Tue–Sat 4–11pm

What is it? A must-go wine lovers' destination for Westsiders right on the border of Culver City.

Why we love it: Inside the Venice Boulevard wine shop, a tiny bar and handful of communal tables host drinkers enjoying mostly natural wines and draft beer, and there's even a small heated patio out back. The retail bottle collection means there's always a large selection of the wines by the glass—a boon for anyone looking to try multiple wines in one night. On the weekends, Stanley's brunch menu has highlights like Turkish eggs for those looking to day drink. 

Time Out tip: With occasional evening tastings with winemakers from as far as Spain, be sure to check their Instagram to stay up to date with everything going on.

Address: 9620 Venice Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 11am–10pm; Fri, Sat 11am–11pm; Sun 11am–10pm

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What is it? A classic wine bar with a longer dinner menu than most.

Why we love it: The romantic patio at this Valley Village gem is the ideal place to drink a selection of California and French wines. Complete the night by pairing your pours with New York Strip steak, Niman Ranch pork chops with black lentils, or a variety of other savory options from their robust dinner menu.

Time Out tip: As cute as the interior is, the dog-friendly patio is the place to be once golden hour strikes.

Address: 12518 Burbank Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 91607

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 5–10pm; Fri, Sat 5–11pm; Sun 5–10pm

What is it? A wine and amaro bar in the old Elf space in Echo Park.

Why we love it: Stepping into Ramona Room feels like entering a portal from the Priuses whizzing down Sunset into an open kitchen in Mexico City. A roaring wood fire is mere steps from the small bar, but you can escape the heat in the summer in the neighboring air-conditioned dining room or on the patio outside. A mix of cozy booths and bistro tables, wood paneling, exposed brick, and colorful stacked tiles sets the mood for their Mediterranean-tinged Mexican menu. Deftly crafted low-A.B.V. amaro and wine cocktails are shaken and stirred with great care and balance. You can also enjoy thoughtfully recommended crisp pours from the lean wine list, supplemented by a well-curated cellar list that leans on Old World and West Coast wines. 

Time Out tip: Their happy hour (Mon–Fri 5pm–7pm) functionally makes one of their cocktails free with two hearty tacos for $16.

Address: 2135 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026

Opening hours: Daily 5–11pm

What is it? A natural wine bar that spills out onto the streets of Chinatown.

Why we love it: From the team behind Silverlake’s Psychic Wines, Cafe Triste is an equally buzzy sister wine bar with plenty of natural wines, beautifully plated bites and gorgeous floral arrangements. This unassuming space in Chinatown has transformed into a designer’s art project, elevated with blue-hued lights, a partition made of glass blocks, and an open kitchen hemmed in by imperial red ceramic tiles. The list of light-bodied wines by the glass is full of aromatic, crisp flavors–ideal for both aficionados and newbies and perfectly suited to the seasonal bar bites. More than anything, the tiny bar is a sight to behold, particularly on the weekends. Behold the high entropy of late-twenty-something musicians and multi-hyphenate creatives prone to stopping mid-conversation to swivel around and see who's making an entrance. 

Time Out tip: Cram in on Monday nights to sip and swirl to whichever jazz artist is in residence this month.

Address: 980 N Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 5–11pm; Fri, Sat 5pm–midnight; Sun 5–11pm

What is it? A dimly lit den perfect for date nights. 

Why we love it: Prepare to be charmed by Santos Uy’s intimate Parisian-style wine bar turned bistro. Rich, midnight-blue walls, a pressed-tin ceiling, and bookended hardbacks alongside framed portraits on shelves set the homey atmosphere, as friendly staff pour from palate-friendly bottles of small-production, natural wines, mostly from France, Italy, Germany, and Spain. The tiny Downtown space doubles as a retail shop, so if you really like a wine by the glass, take a bottle home or peruse the selection displayed on shelves in the front of the bar. If you’re looking for a bite, there are reasonably priced plates of pasta and sandwiches, plus mix-and-match charcuterie.

Time Out tip: Enjoy half-off oysters during their daily happy hour, which runs all day on Sundays.

Address: 128 E 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90014

Opening hours: Mon–Wed, Sun 4–10pm; Thu–Sat 4pm–midnight

What is it? A Black-owned natural wine bar in Santa Monica.

Why we love it: This newer Santa Monica wine bar (which also doubles as a coffee shop during the day) serves natural wine with a side of vinyl music on the weekends and relaxed neighborhood vibes. Offhand also offers craft beers, natural sakes and wine cocktails alongside the usual list of pet-net bottles and selection by the glass. Snack on bites like marinated olives, charcuterie boards and a killer grilled cheese sandwich with your glass of wine or two.

Time Out tip: Get your cheese pull on when their famous grilled cheese is only $10 during happy hour (5–7pm on weekdays and 4–7pm on Summer Saturdays)

Address: 3008 Santa Monica Blvd, Ste A, Santa Monica, CA 90404

Opening hours: Tue–Sat 11am–3pm; Tue–Thu 5–10pm; Fri, Sat 5pm-midnight; Sun 4–9pm

What is it? A dine-in wine shop in Venice with a robust collection.

Why we love it: Since 2006, this Rose Avenue wine shop run by Norma Alvarado and Oscar Hermosillo has lit up Venice with a solid weekday happy hour (Mon–Thu 5–6pm; Mon, Tue 9–10pm; Wed, Thu 10–11pm). Most nights of the week, the newer startup crowd and older, more artsy locals convene around communal tables—including one made from an old Oregon stump—for the Mediterranean-leaning food menu, over 20 wines by the glass, and plenty of cheese and charcuterie.

Time Out tip: Grab a $12 glass of wine during their happy hours to unwind after work or as a nightcap. 

Address: 529 Rose Ave, Venice, CA 90291

Opening hours: Mon, Tue 5–10pm; Wed, Thu 5–11pm; Fri 5pm–midnight; Sat 3pm–midnight; Sun 3–9pm

What is it? A wine bar for the bubbly lovers.

Why we love it: This Downtown sparkling wine bar specializes in tinned fish, though the pair of owners—who also run nearby DTLA Cheese—aren't averse to mixing dairy and seafood in the same meal alongside the tightly curated list of bubbly by the glass. The compact space features a mirrored bar and mood lighting after dark, for those hoping to stare lovingly into someone else's eyes over some first-rate conservas.

Time Out tip: Their Thursday craft nights rotate different skills every week.

Address: 361 S Broadway St, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Opening hours: Mon, Tue 5–10pm; Wed 5–11pm; Thu, Fri 5pm–midnight; Sat noon–midnight; Sun noon-10pm

What is it? A tucked-away bistro in Downtown L.A.

Why we love it: Planted firmly but quietly in the Spring Arcade Building, Garçons de Café is a Francophile haven, and an oft-overlooked one. This cozy, classic wine bar gives off strong bistro vibes with tables for two, a long marble bar, and tile inlay on that industrial-chic concrete floor. But the undeniable star is the wines, often organic, and hailing from Loire, Rhône, Bordeaux and even Roussillon, to name but a few. With more than 60 options—with a couple of inexpensive options thrown in—you’ll be there a while. Better settle in and order one of their impressive charcuterie boards.

Time Out tip: As part of L’Appart, the French restaurant next door, this bistro also offers a full menu including their popular escargot.

Address: 541 S Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Opening hours: Wed, Thu, Sun 4–10pm; Fri, Sat 4–11pm

What is it? A longstanding Filipinotown wine-and-craft-beer bar that’s yet to lose its cool.

Why we love it: 1642 is a space that opens up to you. There’s not necessarily a coolness towards newer customers, but there’s a notable spike of warmth for regulars. Unlike other wine bars where this might be a sign of pretentiousness, this plays out more like a vetting of whether you’re bringing condescension into the space. It’s easy to try and stumble through wines listed on their ever-changing chalkboard before committing, but don’t expect the full song and dance you might get at other establishments. On live music nights, prepare to get cozy with your neighbors as locals pile in to sip, swirl, and sway under the glow of gas lamps and twinkle lights bouncing off exposed brick walls.

Time Out tip: You can bring in food from taco trucks down the street or through your preferred food delivery app.

Address: 1642 W Temple St, Los Angeles, CA 90026

Opening hours: Tue–Thu 6pm–1am; Fri, Sat 6pm–2am; Sun 6pm–midnight