Bacari is Silver Lake's tree-shaded wine bar worth knowing

Bacari sits on Sunset Boulevard in Silver Lake and has built a steady following for good reason. The open-air setup puts you under trees with a drink in hand, which is exactly what you want on a warm Los Angeles evening. Over 1,500 Google reviews at 4.5 stars tells you this is not a place that survives on novelty.

The menu runs small plates and pizza alongside a long drinks list that covers wine, beer, and cocktails. It works for a casual weeknight glass of wine or a longer evening with a group. They also do brunch and breakfast, so the appeal stretches across most of the day.

Reservations are accepted, which is worth using if you are coming with several people. The patio is the draw here, so showing up without a plan on a busy weekend night can mean a wait. Takeout and delivery are available if you want the food without the scene.

At the $$$ price point this is a treat rather than an everyday stop, but the combination of outdoor seating, a solid drinks program, and live music on occasion makes it one of the more reliable spots in the neighborhood for a genuine evening out.