It’s (probably, definitely) no secret that I love wine. If there’s one thing me and Rhianna have in common, it’s that wine glasses *filled with wine* are our favorite accessory. Call me a fan, call me a connoisseur, heck you can even call me a wino – who cares! The girl loves fermented grapes of all kinds and she doesn’t care who knows it! Needless to say, it should come as no surprise that I have visited every establishment under the “wine bar” category within the entire county at least once. If you’re looking for the city’s best places to sip and swirl, look no further than these spots:

THE BEST WINE BARS IN LA

 

Bar Covell

Bar Covell, in my opinion, is LA’s “OG” wine bar. It was opened in 2010 by Dustin Lancaster (Cafe Stella) and Matthew Kaner (Silverlake Wine), and to this day it’s arguably Angeleno’s favorite wine bar. Always busy, always reliable, always excellent. 

 

 

Augustine

Please allow me to introduce you to another genius Dustin Lancaster / Matthew Kaner project, Augustine Wine Bar in Sherman Oaks. Similar to Covell, Augustine is consistently packed, consistently cozy, and consistently curated. This is one of those wine bars I would gladly drive 45 minutes for just for the atmosphere *and the snacks. 

 

 

Mignon

One of my favorite things about New York City is the volume of little wine bars you can stumble upon on just about any given street. Mignon in DTLA reminds me of that. They’ve got great cheese and charcuterie plates, vintage-inspired decor, and most importantly – great wines. Mignon specializes in small production, natural wines from all over the globe with an emphasis on the Old World, so there you have it!

 

 

LA Wine

LA Wine, located in Chinatown, is the most recent wine bar to open in Los Angeles and it’s arguably my current favorite on the list. I love that LA Wine truly feels “local”, I love that they feature California wines (mostly Central Coast – my personal favorite), I love that their wines are actually affordable, and I love that they’re open late on weekends! 

 

 

Oriel

Another beloved Chinatown favorite for wine lovers is Oriel. Oriel is another stunning Dustin Lancaster establishment and promises the ideal setting in which to sip on French heavy wines. The space really is an Instagram dream between the gorgeous long bar and the patio filled with maroon-colored furniture. Oriel also offers a full French Bistro-style menu so definitely come hungry.

 

 

The Blending Lab

While it might not be what you consider a “traditional” wine bar to be, The Blending Lab on West 3rd is still my top 3 favorite places to sip and swirl in Los Angeles. Owned by one of the coolest couples in town – Michael and Magda – the duo has truly created something special and one-of-a-kind.

 

 

Tabula Rasa

I like to say Tabula Rasa is the place to go for the “cool” wine drinker. And I mean that in the best way possible – I love a good hipster haven. Walk in to the Thai Town staple to find a dimly lit long bar filled with groups of young folks sipping and snacking. 

 

 

Bar Bandini

Bar Bandini suits its Echo Park surroundings with its rustic decor, warm dim lighting, and top-notch line up of natural wines and craft beers. I have always found it fun and different that Bar Bandini has quite a few wines on tap – something you don’t see too often and should definitely experience.

 

 

Esters Wine Shop & Bar

I loved Esters the moment I laid eyes on it. Esters is an absolutely stunning Santa Monica beauty – really, major kudos to the designer because every time I go in here I snap about 200 photos, give or take. What you get in unparalleled ambiance you pay for in prices, but I will say that one of my favorite things about Esters is that they’re one of the few wine bars that are open during the day. 

 

 

Stanley’s

HOW this place is not talked about more often is just beyond me. Stanley’s actually deserves to be at the top of the list because it is everything you’d hope it would be. Locally owned, stylish, is a wine bar but also a wine store, everyone there is insanely knowledgeable and friendly, and the wines are all fairly priced AND fantastic.

 

 

Bacari W 3rd

If there were an ideal place to drink wine with friends on a patio at a wine bar in LA, it would be at Bacari W. 3rd. Bacari is definitely more of a place to drink wine vs a place to learn about wine… if you catch my drift. It’s fun, it’s easy-going, but this is not the place to find a crazy extensive wine list. Which is fine! Sometimes you want wine and zero fuss! 

 

 

Melanie Wine Bar

Located off of West 3rd Street, Melanie Wine Bar has become a local favorite since its opening in 2021. The wines that they showcase are primarily from France and Italy, pairing nicely with their dinner menu. Whether you’re hoping to pop in for a quick tasting or you want a full, sit-down dinner, Melanie Wine Bar is a cool and hip spot to sip some vino. 

 

 

Bodega Wine Bar

Bodega Wine Bar is a cozy and cute spot in Santa Monica that has awesome wine and delicious bites. Their pizzas are beyond tasty and the whole vibe is very chill yet romantic, making it great for a first date or GNO. During the daytime, Bodega also doubles as a coffee shop, meaning you come and get some work done before clocking out at Happy Hour. 

 

 

A.O.C

With locations both in West Hollywood and Brentwood, A.O.C. is one of my favorite wine bars in LA due to its chic design and innovative menu. Though both locations have nice patios and outdoor seating, I prefer sitting inside since the interior is so stunning (very European-Esque). This is definitely the kind of place where you’ll want to order food, and I suggest that you don’t miss out on the marinated olives, grilled hanger steak, and fingerling potatoes. 

 

 

Venice Beach Wines

Venice Beach Wines is a more casual spot that has a cozy patio out front that is great for people-watching. This wine bar and shop has a community feel and is always packed full of locals dining and drinking. The patio is also super dog-friendly, meaning you can bring your four-legged family members along for the ride. 

 

 

Good, Clean, Fun

Good, Clean, Fun is for sure my new favorite wine bar in DTLA. Serving only natural and organic wines, this lively neighborhood spot is beyond groovy and fun. The patio is perfect for people-watching, and there’s always some sort of special event or live music happening. They also have an awesome oyster Happy Hour, and their menu is constantly updating and changing. 

 

 

Wife and the Somm

If you like good wine and a community-centered crowd, head to a family-owned Wife and the Somm for Sunday Funday or an after-work tasting. In addition to the classic reds, whites, and roses, this wine bar also has a solid selection of chilled reds and orange wines. 

 

 

Botanica

Botanica is a female-led wine market and restaurant that places an emphasis on sustainability and all-natural wines. The entire shop is very airy and bright, providing the perfect escape in the heart of Silver Lake. The restaurant serves up a lot of seasonal cuisine that is plant-forward, and the wine is always of the highest quality. 

 

 

Marvin

If you love to pair fresh seafood with a crisp glass of white wine, book a resy at Marvin ASAP. This French bistro transports guests to France with its cozy atmosphere and delicious array of coastal European bites. Unlike most wine bars, Marvin is also open pretty late, serving wine and beer all the way until midnight so that you can keep the party going. 

 

 

Varro Venice

From the sleek interior to the wood-fired cuisine, Varro Venice is a must-visit for locals and visitors alike. They also specialize in all-natural wines, resulting in less of a hangover the next day (supposedly). Varro Venice also shows a lot of love for the environment by practicing sustainable cooking methods and sourcing meats and produce from ethical farms. 

 

 

Holcomb

If you live near Highland Park, it’s time to make Holcomb your new favorite wine bar. Serving up only all-natural wines, Holcomb is a cool and casual spot that has plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. They are also open until midnight most nights, so you can hang (and drink) longer than most other wine bars. 

 

 

Tilda Wine 

Whether you’re looking to sit down for a refreshing glass of wine or you simply want to pick up a bottle to take hom, hit up Tilda Wine anytime you’re on the Eastside of LA. This unique wine bar has somewhat of a hipster vibe to it and it’s definitely home to many regulars. Their sister restaurant Bacetti is another great spot. 

 

 

 

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Vertical Wine Bistro, Crudo e Nudo, Southend, Marche Wine Bar, Heritage Fine Wines, Same Same, Garcons De Cafe, Wally’s, Melody, Enoteca 5