As someone who would almost always choose a wine bar over any other kind of night out, I’ve done the research so you don’t have to. Here are my favorites in LA.

Justine’s Wine Bar

This is the perfect Frogtown wine bar: dark, relaxed, and full of skeletons. Literally. Along with a solid selection of natural wines, they offer a small menu of snacks and mains if you’re hungry. Pro tip: stop by for a drink before dinner at Loreto a few houses down!

Kippered

DTLA’s best kept secret? Kippered calls itself as a tinned fish and Champagne bar, but it’s so much more than that. Expect a beautifully designed yet relaxed environment, a perfectly curated selection of natural wines (bubbly, orange, red, and everything in between), the friendliest staff in Los Angeles, and lots of delicious things to nibble on. Pro tip: order one of the tins that can be warmed up with French butter, and mop everything up with a crispy baguette.

Melanie Restaurant & Wine Bar

The name says “restaurant”, but you can absolutely go in for some shareable small plates and big glasses of top tier wines. (I’ve been obsessed with their chilled Nebbiolo lately — paired with a piping hot bowl of tater tots.) It’s a cozy spot, so make a reservation if you’re planning on dinner. And don’t sleep on their 50/50 deal, available Sunday through Tuesday: spend $50 on food and get bottles at 50% off.

V Wine Room

V Wine Room is my new favorite find in Los Angeles — and it’s been around for 13 years. I think they want you to be fashionably late to the party. Tucked into a quiet side street just steps from the brightest, loudest part of WeHo, V Wine Room is a sanctuary for anyone over 30. The space was once Charlie Chaplin’s studio before becoming a library, and you’ll see reminders of its rich history throughout. The wine list is great, the menu of pizzas and charcuterie boards is solid (cubed mortadella!), and you can even order sushi from nearby Jinpachi. But what really sets V Wine Room apart is the service; we were welcomed like regulars on our very first visit. We felt so cozy and comfortable that we almost cancelled the rest of our evening plans just to stay.

Wally’s (Beverly Hills & Santa Monica)

You can’t talk about wine bars in LA without mentioning Wally’s. Part wine bar and restaurant, part wine and spirits store, part cheese and charcuterie shop — this is the holy grail for wine lovers. While the Beverly Hills location is the original flagship and is worth a visit (make a reservation!), I prefer the Santa Monica location: more spacious, more laid back, and perfectly located for a post-shopping refuel along Third Street. For a more wallet-friendly experience, skip the full dinner and go for a few glasses of wine and a charcuterie board. Quality is guaranteed either way.

Wife & The Somm

It’s so beautiful that the last time I was there, they were filming a Vanderpump Rules spin-off. Do with that what you will, but the wine and small plates make Wife & The Somm worth a visit regardless. You can make a reservation for a full meal or walk in and grab a spot at the bar; there isn’t a bad seat in the house. And if it’s a warm day and Lambrusco is on the menu…just do it.