The Best Bars for a Date in Venice in Los Angeles

Barrique brings candlelit Italian dining to Venice, in a room that suits an evening for two. The restaurant is in the "Little Yellow House," a 1908 building that began as a train conductor's home, and chef Antonio Murè cooks there. The wine list is almost entirely Italian, and the menu's standouts include tuna tartare, handmade pastas and cured meats.

Del Monte Speakeasy is the basement bar beneath Townhouse, restored in 2007 to give it a Prohibition-era look. Antique lamps glow against dark wood throughout. A second bar area hosts comedians, burlesque, DJs and bands, so a night here can go in a few directions.

Steps from the Venice boardwalk, Dudley Market serves seafood and wine. Its dim lighting gives the room a dinner-date mood. Reservations are inconsistent, and calling ahead is advised.

Venice Beach Wines is a wine bar with sidewalk seating out front, a draw for wine lovers. The list covers France, California, Spain and Italy, with flights, fondue and cheese boards on the menu. Fresh pizza is a house favorite, and the kitchen also sends out small plates, charcuterie, steak and seafood.

Kassi is the rooftop spot at Hotel Erwin in Venice, billed as a seaside escape up top. The mood is Greek-inspired and easygoing, with seasonal snacks and drinks on offer. It opens at noon Monday through Thursday and at 11am Friday through Sunday, and it stays open until midnight on Friday and Saturday.

Gran Blanco is just off the boardwalk, where an all-white interior and a disco ball give it the feel of a Tulum beach bar. It is a casual, laid-back place for date night, with craft cocktails and a Cali-Mediterranean lean. Order the Nomalizo (jalapeño, watermelon, mezcal) or the reposado tequila espresso martini.

Behind Scopa Italian Roots is Old Lightning, a speakeasy-style bar with about 25 seats and a mid-century look. Over 1,000 rare and vintage spirits line the shelves, the fruit of two-plus decades of collecting bottles and old glassware by its owners. Custom mid-century furniture and a tiki collection give you plenty to take in between sips.

Belles Beach House is a Windward Avenue bar with daytime drinks, mocktails and happy hours, so the date can start in the afternoon. Townhouse and Gran Blanco are both on the same street too, which gives the pair two more bars to try if the first round goes well.

The Lincoln is a lively cocktail bar on Lincoln Boulevard, offering an alternative to the busy Abbot Kinney scene. Its patio features reclaimed wood tables and industrial lighting, creating a relaxed setting for drinks with a date. With a solid beer selection, happy hour specials, and a social crowd, it's a fun spot to spend an evening together. Weekends can get busy, so expect a livelier atmosphere as the night goes on.

Townhouse is one of Venice's oldest bars, drawing regulars since 1915. Today it is a lively, rowdy two-story bar known for tequila cocktails and live acts. The noise level is high, so it suits a high-energy night more than a quiet talk. The Del Monte basement downstairs was a Prohibition-era speakeasy.