La Fe

If you closed your eyes and pictured the ideal neighborhood bar, it might look something like La Fe in Echo Park. A candlelit room with an L-shaped bar and a handful of sidewalk tables on Sunset Blvd, this vaguely French cocktail and wine bar is our go-to alternative to all the overcrowded bars nearby. There’s a plush jewel-toned banquette for lounging and a soft acoustic playlist that doesn’t get too loud or hectic, so you can have an actual conversation. Come here when you need somewhere to hunker down with a friend, order a round of white negronis, and graze on some fancy bar snacks.