5 Date Night Wine Bars
From the Westside to the Eastside and everywhere in-between, here are five of our favorite Date Night Wine Bars in Los Angeles. All of our picks made the list because they have a great atmosphere, a friendly staff, and excellent food and wine pairings. Additionally, every single one of them makes learning about wine fun and accessible.
1. 55 Degree Wine
Our top pick is in Atwater Village, but it’s well worth the drive even if you live far away. Andy Hasroun, the owner and manager of 55 Degree Wine, has done an amazing job of creating a very welcoming first floor wine shop with hard to find International wines, but downstairs in the cellar is where the action is.
The 3,000 sq. ft. cellar is the only working cellar we know of in Los Angeles and will impress even the pickiest date. Andy and the crew select new wine flights, prepare amazing cheese and snack plates, and deliver fresh pizza specially prepared for the bar each night. The lights are low at the tables in the bar area, but ask Andy for a tour of the cellar inside, and you might just find a corner for a quick kiss.
Learn more about 55 Degree Wine in our review and more about Andy Hasroun in his Tastemaker Profile.
2. Lou Wine Bar
Lou Wine Bar is tucked away in the corner of a non-descript strip mall in Hollywood, but don’t let that stop you from discovering the romantic and upbeat atmosphere in this hidden jem.
Arrive early (by 7:00 pm or 7:30 pm at the latest) to secure a seat with minimal wait-time. You can choose a seat at the bar, where you’ll find Lou pairing and pouring the wine, or try to grab a cozy seat inside the intimate dining room. Try the Burratta and the scallops as well as the Niman flat iron steak. The wine list features primarily European selections and offers great values.
Learn more about Lou in our review.
3. Primitivo Wine Bistro
One of L.A.’s first wine bistros when it debuted, Primitivo still serves up Mediterranean tapas with friendly, rustic charm. It’s one of those rare places where you’ll find guys in boardshorts and suits sitting next to each other at the bar.
Primitivo Wine Bistro is one of our favorite places to visit when in Venice, and the staff makes this place warm and inviting. Many of staffmembers have been there for over five years, so you’ll find people working there who really care about your experience, including brothers Jimmy Bradley (General Manager) and Matthew Bradley (Bartender), and Events Coordinator Eryn Thomas.
Read more about Primitivo in our review, as well as Tastemaker Profiles with Matthew Bradley and Eryn Thomas.
4. The Mercantile
For a fun date night, where you can spend the whole evening and enjoy a wide variety of food, Mercantile is the place to head to in Hollywood. Equal parts wine bar, wine shop, and deli, The Mercantile offers something for everyone. Chef Kris Morningstar’s dinner menu features an eclectic mix of Mediterranean inspired comfort food. The Beet Salad with Smoked Goat Cheese, Chicken Pot Pie, and French Onion Soup are all winners. After dinner, order a unique flavor from the ice cream bar and you’ll be sure to score some cool points with your date.
Learn more about The Mercantile in our review.
5. Monsieur Marcel Restaurant & Wine Bar
With glimmering tea light candles, this little place tucked away in Southeast side of the Farmers Market next to The Grove, is romantic and relaxing. At Monsieur Marcel it’s not hard to imagine that you are in the midst of a European open-air market enjoying a fine selection of wine and cheese while watching the crowd pass by. The staff is friendly and knowledgable and will help you pick out the perfect wine and small plate pairings.
Not every date occurs at night, so it is worth noting that Monsieur Marcel is well known for brunch and daytime snacks.
Learn more about Monsieur Marcel Restaurant & Wine Bar.
