With new clubs opening all the time and more bars than anyone could visit in a lifetime, L.A. locals rarely have a hard time finding something to do on a Friday or Saturday night. But what is there to do for those itching to prolong the weekend by hitting the town on, say, a Sunday or Monday? Wine bars have proven to be a popular place for couples and small groups of friends looking for a fun, low-key night out.

Bottle Rock
3847 Main Street
(310) 836-9463

One third wine shop, one third wine bar, and one third café, Bottle Rock is a great addition to Downtown Culver City’s Main Street, an area that is rapidly transforming into a hip and chic locale.

Boasting over 800 different wine labels to choose from, and a staff that is both knowledgeable and enthusiastic, Bottle Rock is likely to be a favorite of both wine connoisseurs and novices alike. With prices ranging from $8 to the upwards of $150 per glass, there is something for everyone to enjoy. The greatest part is the list of 24 wines that can be purchased by the glass, in addition to the bar’s willingness to open any of their bottles for a two-glass minimum.

For those of us who aren’t necessarily wine-savvy, but know what we’re looking for in a drink, Bottle Rock’s knowledgeable and friendly staff is more than happy to help when it comes to making a decision. They brief you on the wine’s taste, finish, and alcohol content so you get exactly what you’re looking for.

The background music, two TVs—usually tuned to whatever sporting event is on that evening—and high tables with bar stools make for a nice vibe inside the bar. It’s a great place for a group of friends looking to have a good time, mellow out and catch up.

Chic
5545 Pico Blvd.
(323) 525-0234

Chic is a quaint, French-inspired restaurant and wine bar with a quiet and cozy atmosphere. While their food menu offers a wider selection than that of their wine, the two complement each other very well. The food, especially their appetizers and mouth-watering desserts, pairs perfectly with a glass of wine. The best part is definitely the extremely reasonable prices, which allows customers to try a few different things in one sitting.

Chic also offers wine tastings once a month, which offer L.A. residents an entertaining, informative, and delicious alternative to a typical night out. For $25, you get a five course French meal that’s paired with five French wines, totaling an evening of great fun.

Bodega Wine Bar
814 Broadway
(310) 394-3504

Bodega Wine Bar, located in Santa Monica, truly lives up to its founding philosophy: have fun, try something new, share, and trust your taste. Having fun is easy in Bodega’s laid-back atmosphere. The modern, living room-feel of the bar— complete with big couches, cozy cushions, high tables with bar stools, and an open, earthy interior—make it the ideal environment for an evening of eating, drinking, talking, and laughing with a group of your closest friends.

With all of their wines priced at $8 a glass, it’s the owners’ hope that customers will be able to try whichever drink appeals to them, without using price as a deciding factor. In addition, their food is reasonably priced and meant to be shared.

Last but not least, the owners say, “trust your taste.” At Bodega, there’s no need to be a wine expert. It’s designed for the average person in search of a conversation-friendly environment to share a few drinks with some good friends. In fact, that’s how the bar got its start! After unsuccessfully searching for a bar to sit and enjoy some good wine and conversation, Bodega’s founders decided it would be a good idea to open their own. Not wine connoisseurs themselves, their motto is to trust your taste—if you like it, then it’s a good wine!

The Must
118 W. 5th Street
(213) 627-1162

If you’re looking for a wine bar with a little more spunk, The Must is the place to go. With upbeat music, dim lighting and artsy decorations; the bar’s atmosphere is a bit more edgy and daring. Their generous happy hour offers $3-$8 wine, beer, sangria, and snacks from 4-7p.

The Must also offers an expansive selection of both light and dark sangria, something that isn’t commonly found anywhere else. The menu also gives a brief, but helpful description of each wine and sangria option, so every customer ends up satisfied with their choice.

Their logo, the profile of a face with a wine bottle for a brain, says it all: The Must definitely has wine on the mind!