First/Early in the Game Dates
Most Popular Guides
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The Best LA Bars For A First Date
From cocktail spots to neighborhood dives to wine bars, these are our go-to spots in LA for first dates.
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The Best First Date Spots In LA
Don’t screw things up by picking the wrong restaurant. Here’s where you should go.
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22 spots where you can go on a date and also not empty your wallet.
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Where To Go On A First Date With Someone You Met On The Internet
Dating in 2021 is weird, but a lot less weird than 2020.
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The LA Outdoor Happy Hour Guide
21 spots in LA with great Happy Hours, patios, and nightly specials.
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When you need some fresh mozzarell’ and salumi, stat.
First/Early in the Game Dates
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Cafe Stella
French bistro Cafe Stella has been a Silver Lake hotspot since Arcade Fire's first album—and it's still a charmer with good cocktails.
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Offhand Wine Bar
Offhand Wine Bar is the only natural wine place in Santa Monica where you can groove to vinyl DJ sets.
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Vicky’s All Day
Vicky's All Day in West Adams dances on tightrope between cozy diner and neighborhood pizzeria. You'll want to become a regular from the minute you walk in the door.
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Los Balcones
This casual Peruvian spot in Hollywood is currently hosting a great year long pop-up called Colibri.
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Tagine
Tagine is a small, tucked-away Moroccan restaurant in Beverly Hills that’s ideal for a romantic dinner.
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Augustine Wine Bar
Augustine in Sherman Oaks is the kind of wine bar that makes other wine bars look like they're phoning it in.
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Eszett
Eszett is a casual strip mall spot in Silver Lake with great wine and excellent, snacky-shareable dishes.
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Seabutter
Seabutter is a modern, subway-tiled sushi bar that offers fresh nigiri, dressed up sashimi, and affordable omakase.
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Fishing With Dynamite
Fishing With Dynamite is one of LA’s best restaurants for consistently great seafood.
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Black Market Liquor Bar
Black Market Liquor is a bar/restaurant in Studio City with good cocktails, a big craft beer list, and solid small plates.
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Cobras & Matadors
Cobras & Matadors is a BYOB Spanish tapas place in Beverly Grove with serious charm.
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Ceviche Project
Ceviche Project is an excellent Eastside date night spot, with inventive and interesting takes on raw fish.
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Sushi Nikkei
Sushi Nikkei is a neighborhood sushi spot with a exciting scene in North Long Beach.
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The Blind Barber
The Blind Barber in Culver City is a speakeasy behind a working barber shop.
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Tokki
Tokki, a Korean small plates restaurant in Koreatown, is trendy, with all the weird baggage that comes with that term—but still genuinely fun.