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This weekend’s dining lineup in Los Angeles mixes rooftop wine views, late-night Korean barbecue, bright sidewalk arepas and a low-key neighborhood wine bar—options that fit a long holiday or a spontaneous Friday night. Each spot offers a distinct mood and menu choices that matter if you’re planning a relaxed patio drink, a post-concert feast or a sunny daytime bite.
- Force of Nature — Venice: rooftop natural-wine patio overlooking Abbot Kinney; light snacks, women-sourced wine pours. Address: 1031 Abbot Kinney Boulevard, Venice, CA 90291.
- Brothers Galbi — Koreatown: late-night all-you-can-eat Korean barbecue with happy-hour pricing and standout galbi. Address: 3680 W. 6th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90020.
- Chainsaw Cafe — Melrose Hill: daytime cafe serving blistered arepas and a signature passionfruit-lime icebox pie. Address: 5022 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90038.
- Sam’s Place — Highland Park: compact wine bar with thoughtful pours and a relaxed patio—good for Memorial Day or any long weekend. Address: 5530 Monte Vista Street, Highland Park, CA.
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Rooftop natural wine with an Abbot Kinney view: Force of Nature, Venice
Tucked above the revived listening-bar project on Abbot Kinney, this new rooftop patio focuses on natural wines and small plates. The climb up the narrow stairs leads to a second-level outdoor space where the wine list tilts toward bottles from women-owned producers and non-alcoholic options are available for the designated driver.
Food is minimal by design: expect shareable charcuterie and light snacks rather than a full kitchen lineup. It’s a place to arrive early for sunsets and to linger over a few well-chosen glasses while watching the boulevard below.
Late-night BBQ that stays open after the show: Brothers Galbi, Koreatown
For anyone leaving a late concert or craving a midnight feast, Brothers Galbi runs a happy hour after 10 p.m. that trims the price on its all-you-can-eat menus and puts beer and soju specials on the table. The house galbi—sweet, tender short rib—remains the marquee item.
Staff will often grill for you, which makes the experience low-effort and social. The rotating banchan, warming soups like kimchi jjigae, and unusual sides such as kabocha potato salad or grilled pineapple for pork belly add texture to an already generous spread.
Sunlit arepas and a cult icebox pie: Chainsaw Cafe, Melrose Hill
Once a pop-up known for desserts, Chainsaw has settled into a small daytime cafe serving Venezuelan-style arepas and seasonal specials. Patrons often queue out the door for plates that arrive on stoneware and encourage lingering on the sidewalk seats.
The passionfruit-lime icebox pie is the cafe’s signature dessert—bright, acidic and frequently spoken about by regulars—while savory choices span carne machaca arepas to a quesillo-style coffee dish and lomo saltado. Seating is limited, so expect to perch outside and soak in the neighborhood chatter.
Easygoing wine weekender: Sam’s Place, Highland Park
Sam’s Place quietly earned a neighborhood following without a big launch. The compact space—patio, an L-shaped bar and banquette seating—feels built for slow conversation. Beverage selections skew approachable: a chilled chenin blanc for summer evenings and rotating draft beer options at wallet-friendly prices.
Snacks are thoughtful rather than heavy; marinated olives and roasted almonds pair well with the wine list, while heartier plates like aji amarillo wings or tahini-sauced Japanese sweet potato serve as shareable mains. It’s an option to keep in mind for holiday afternoons or a low-key night out.
The four picks above offer distinct reasons to get out this weekend: rooftop pours, late-night grilling, a sunlit take on Venezuelan comfort food and a neighborhood wine bar built for slow conversations. If you’re planning a holiday outing, think about atmosphere first—patio space or late hours—and pick the spot that best fits your pace.
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