A week of Los Angeles built on wine bars

Start at BUZZ wine beer bottleshop & bar if you prefer to compare before committing. The Downtown shop's curated wines and craft beers can be taken home or enjoyed on-site, making it a sensible calibration stop for the week. My scorecard: line unknown, payoff is choice, photo value is the glasses. Ask what is available to drink there first; the choice between a glass and a bottle is the useful decision.

For a more substantial downtown outing, Vaca DTLA pairs regional Spanish wines with wood-fired tapas and paella. It suits the hunter who wants dinner to justify the detour, not just a glass. My scorecard: line unknown, payoff is the food-and-wine pairing, photo value is the paella. Consider tapas first and ask which regional wine fits; a focused order beats guessing at the whole menu. The record lists Tuesday service from 11:30 a.m.

Butchr Bar shifts the route into Westlake for diners who like knowing how dinner is made. Its craft butcher counter and intimate wine bar share space with a wood-fire grill and smoker, so the food is the reason to linger. My scorecard: line unknown, payoff is the fire-cooked cuts, photo value is the brick entrance. Ask about the seasonal plates before choosing a glass; keep the order deliberate rather than chasing a promised special.

Choose 1642 when the conversation deserves a soundtrack. This Westlake bar pairs independent California wines with live jazz and folk, and its craft-beer selection rotates. My scorecard: line unknown, payoff is the pairing of wine and music, photo value is the glass. Ask about the evening's wine selection rather than assuming a particular bottle; the room is the attraction as much as the drink. Thursday hours are listed from 6 p.m.

Compare the week's wines at El Prado, an Echo Park bar pouring natural wines and craft beers beneath warm globe lighting. This is a useful solo stop for a curious drinker who wants atmosphere alongside the glass. My scorecard: line unknown, payoff is the natural-wine selection, photo value is the shared spread. Ask the bartender about the current pour; the choice is more interesting than a guessed bottle. Save room for Saturday's small plates.

Pair baby battista's natural pours and curated small plates with Little Ripper LA's evening dining in nearby Glassell Park. This suits a drinker who wants both a focused plate and another room to compare. My scorecard: lines unknown, payoff is the contrast, photo value is baby battista's intimate room. Ask what is pouring at each stop; the walk is guidance, not a timed transfer. Little Ripper lists Saturday dinner from 5 p.m.

Close the sequence at Sam’s Place in Highland Park, a cozy neighborhood wine bar with a curated list and small bites. It is a quieter editorial finish for anyone who would rather compare notes than add another sprawling dinner. My scorecard: line unknown, payoff is a concise wine-and-bites choice, photo value is the room. Ask what is pouring before deciding; keep one discovery for the next visit. Check current hours before setting out.