D’VINE LOUNGE BAR
ESCAPE TO A WORLD OF DIVINE WINE

In my opinion, there aren’t too many things more relaxing in life than enjoying a fine glass of wine. No matter the setting, if I find myself with a glass of wine in my hand then my troubles seem to get just a little further away. Imagine my surprise and delight when I discovered D'Vine Lounge Bar in Downtown L.A.

A hidden gem, you have to know the wine bar is underneath the O Hotel on Flower Street otherwise you’ll just be missing out. Find the heavy rustic door under a muted sign and follow the steps down into a portal where time is measured by the glass. D’Vine Lounge Bar is a wine lover’s paradise aimed to temper the underground desires of Downtown’s wine society.

The folks at D’Vine like to say that the bar is the perfect setting for pouring, swirling and toasting. Underground you’ll find soft lighting and rustic wooden elements as well as communal tables and comfortably furnished nooks, a long bar, and a wine list with over 50 varietals for all varieties of aficionado. There are whites, reds, rosés, and sparkling wine from near and far.

The lounge and bar was just what I needed after a once-in-a-lifetime dinner at nearby Q Sushi. Armed with good company, a welcoming atmosphere and phenomenal glasses of wine, including a California Chardonnay to start alongside a Domaines Schlumberger Riesling and a La Caña Albarino (yes, we started with whites after a sushi/sake feast before moving onto some rousing reds) my night couldn’t get any better—short of winning the lottery and as a foodie I had already done so. I’ll confess we were somewhat gluttonous that night as we found room for more eats, and the shared plate selections of rilettes, tartines, charcuturie, assorted cheeses, vegetables (pickled or marinated), house-made pates, and desserts are simply blissful.

The tartines are off the chart good, especially the Sucrée-Salée with pear, brie, walnuts, and balsamic reduction. This alone is reason to visit D’Vine Lounge Bar. Likewise, the Italienne with Burrata cheese, prosciutto, and pesto is another crowd pleaser. If you really want to treat yourself well, the Duck Rillette (think duck pâté) is absolutely wonderful. And save room for dessert as the Hazelnut Chocolate Truffles are a true decadent delight.

Truth be told, you’ll also find a full bar underground so imbibers can enjoy spirits from a curated list of scotches, whiskies, and bourbons, making this refuge an ideal place to have a night cap in Downtown. While a nice whiskey would have made for the perfect ending of this magical night, it was all about the simple pleasure that comes from a glass of wine. I found nirvana in the form of the gods’ nectar and didn’t need anything harsher (for once). It was time to wind down and the pleasure of wine, good eats and good company couldn’t be beat.

D'Vine Lounge Bar is located at 821 S. Flower Street. Hours: Monday to Thursday 4:30pm to 11pm; Friday 4:30pm to 12am; Saturday 5pm to 12am; Sunday 5pm to 11pm. Call (213) 262-8517.

Top photo by: Chris Temple

Story by Jose Martinez