15 Wine Bars in LA County That Are great date destinations
Kippered
Location: Downtown LA
Why it works: Tinned fish and sparkling wine make this anything but a predictable wine date.
The wacky cousin of this list, Kippered is a fish and champagne bar run by the DTLA Cheese (say less). Its menu centers tinned fish - we’re talkin’ 50+ options - and sparkling wine pairings, but you’ll also find cheese, beer, and some other small bites. Bonus: daily happy hour makes it an especially good early-date option.
1010 Wine & Events
Location: Inglewood
Why it works: Great wine plus music and events can turn drinks into a full night out.
1010 gives you more to work with than just a bottle of wine. Its wine program highlights Black-owned labels, while live music, DJs and events can turn drinks into a full night out. Check the calendar before you go and you’ve essentially got the date planned for you.
The Cellar: A Wine Library
Location: Pasadena
Why it works: Hidden, underground and intimate.
A secret underground wine bar? Yes, please! Find your way through a hidden door to enjoy the sophisticated library-esque vibe, fabulous wine menu and tasty bites.
Stoa Wine Bar & Market
Location: Marina Del Rey
Why it works: Harbor views give you a built-in golden-hour date.
Enjoy harbor views from the patio of this spacious, Mediterranean-inspired wine bar. Enjoy wine, cocktails, charcuterie, and especially pizza at this fun spot. The waterfront setting makes this an especially good golden-hour date.
La Sabina Wine Bar
Location: Culver City
Why it works: Candlelit and casual without feeling overly romantic.
By night, this neighborhood coffee shop turns into a candlelit natural wine bar with rotating bottles, seasonal bites and occasional live music. It’s relaxed and low-pressure, making it a good pick when you want somewhere that feels thoughtful without making a first date feel too serious.
Tabula Rasa Bar
Location: Thai Town
Why it works: An impressive wine list in a laid-back neighborhood setting.
Choose from 20 wines by the glass or 200+ bottles at this neighborhood staple. Celebrating 10 years in business, this bar is a slam dunk for a first date - casual, but classy! No reservations required, so it also works when the date comes together at the last minute.
The 1894
Location: Pasadena
Why it works: The bookstore gives you a built-in date activity.
A wine bar inside Vroman’s gives you an easy built-in date activity. Named for the year Vroman’s was founded, this bookstore spot features literature-themed cocktails, craft beer, and wine. Grab a book and a seat for a book club style date!
Augustine Wine Bar
Location: Sherman Oaks
Why it works: Rare wines, low lighting, and an intimate old-school setting.
Housed in what was once a radio repair shop, this vintage-inspired wine bar is a sophisticated spot to impress a date. Choose from a huge number of wines by the glass and an impressive bottle selection.
Baby Battista
Location: Atwater Village
Why it works: Live programming takes some pressure off constant conversation.
The wine usually comes with a show at this wine bar / event space. Most shows are comedy, so bring a date that likes to laugh! Be sure to check out their event calendar and plan your date accordingly.
Bar Covell
Location: Los Feliz
Why it works: You don’t have to know anything about wine to end up with something good.
You don’t have to pretend you know wine here. Instead of navigating a traditional wine list, tell the bartender what you like or what you’re in the mood for and let them guide you toward a glass. It makes choosing the wine part of the experience and takes one decision off your plate.
Bar Bandini
Location: Echo Park
Why it works: Dark, intimate and open late.
Bar Bandini is for the date where lighting matters. The Echo Park spot is dark and intimate, with natural wine at the center of the menu and late-night hours. It’s especially good when you want a second stop, or when you don’t want a good date ending because the wine bar closes at 10.
Stir Crazy
Location: Melrose Hill
Why it works: A tiny, cozy wine bar where you can share a few plates.
Stir Crazy is small, cozy, and just polished enough to feel date-worthy without being overly formal. Grab a bottle, order a few plates to share, and settle in. The intimate space makes it especially good for a date where you actually want to sit, talk, and stay awhile.
Propaganda Wine Bar
Location: Arts District
Why it works: Wine flights, pizza and easy parking.
For the “drinks or dinner?” date, do both. Propaganda offers a deep wine selection alongside tasting flights and Roman-style pizza, so you can compare a few pours, split a pizza and stay awhile. There’s also an aperitivo happy hour and validated parking, making the logistics unusually painless for Downtown.
Cornell Wine Co.
Location: Santa Monica Mountains
Why it works: It feels like a wine-country date without leaving LA County.
Tucked into the Santa Monica Mountains, Cornell Wine Co. feels more like a mini wine-country escape than your typical neighborhood wine bar. Book a tasting or drop in for wine, grab some cheese and snacks, and settle into the rustic mountain setting. If things are going well, The Old Place is right next door for dinner.
Melanie
Location: Beverly Grove
Why it works: Moody, candlelit, and all bottles are 50% off on Sundays.
Romance is quite literally in the name. Melanie was named after the owner’s wife of 23+ years, and the intimate setting follows suit with candlelight, vintage décor, and cozy leather banquettes. Go on Sunday, when every bottle is 50% off.
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