Rainy Nights Hit Different Here | Augustine Wine Bar

Good morning, Los Angeles. You’re reading Obsessed LA, your insider guide to what’s actually worth being obsessed with in the city. Each week, we highlight the restaurants, events, and hidden gems that capture LA’s best energy.

The first real rain of the season is creeping into the forecast, and LA’s definitely starting to feel different. The pace is slowing, the nights are getting heavier, and the city is feeling more grounded. It’s the perfect moment to highlight a wine bar made for lingering, a takeout window that holds up in any weather, and a coffee shop built for the days when you just need a warm hand-off.

This week’s lineup embraces the change in rhythm and features the places that make rainy days feel intentional. Let’s get into the obsessions.

When you walk into Augustine Wine Bar, the whole mood shifts: dim lights, old records, and the soft hum of people settling in. This is a bar that feels like it’s been collecting stories for decades. It’s intimate without being quiet, classic without trying too hard.

During our visit, we had the privilege of meeting Freddy, a part of the reason Augustine feels special. He isn’t just pouring wine; he’s running the room with an intuition you can’t fake. He’ll ask what you like, pause for a beat, then hand you something better than what you had in mind. Part sommelier, part storyteller, Freddy turns a simple glass of wine into the best call you’ll make all night.

The list rotates constantly, but the energy stays the same: candlelit, warm, and quietly elevated. Whether you’re grabbing a glass at the bar or sinking into one of the corner tables, it feels like you stumbled into a world where every bottle has a purpose.

If you’re anywhere near Sherman Oaks, let Freddy guide your night. Have a glass and relax.

The best coffee spots don’t need white marble counters or latte art competitions. They just need a solid roast, good music, and a space that actually makes you want to stay awhile. Thunder Road Cafe in West Hollywood feels like that kind of place, part coffee shop, part motor-garage time capsule.

The walls are lined with vintage bikes, worn-in leather, and signs that look like they’ve been there since Route 66 was still the dream. Sunlight cuts through the big front window with the gleam of a BSA motorcycle parked proudly by the couches. You’ll probably smell espresso before you even spot the bike.

I stopped in on a sunday afternoon and ended up staying longer than planned, that kind of “just one more sip” vibe. The espresso hits with just enough bite, and the crew behind the bar couldn’t be more down to earth. No pretense, just people who clearly love good coffee and good company.

Where espresso meets rebellion: Thunder Road Cafe.

Angel City Books & Records looks unassuming from the street, but inside, it’s its own universe. It feels like you’ve stepped into someone’s well-loved archive, a place where the shelves are tall, the aisles are tight, and every corner has something with a story behind it. Since 1998, they’ve been stacking used books and vinyl in a way that makes browsing feel like an adventure. Philosophy next to pulp fiction, jazz records leaning against obscure poetry, it’s organized enough to function and chaotic enough to stay interesting. What hits you first isn’t nostalgia, but personality.

This place has an opinion. It’s not trying to look like a “cool bookstore”; it just is one. Lamps glow, art hangs wherever it fits, and people actually read the back of the books instead of pretending to.

If you’re in Santa Monica and want something that isn’t polished, filtered, or optimized, walk in. You won’t find what you came for, you’ll find something better you didn’t expect. Get lost in Angel City.

Burbank
A candlelit string-quartet tribute to Bad Bunny inside the LA Equestrian Center.
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Downtown LA
Late-night reggaeton takeover with DJs, lights, and full-energy crowd.
Tickets →

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Hollywood
Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, Will Arnett, completely unleashed.
Tickets →

Joy on York is one of the few places in LA where takeout doesn’t feel like a compromise, it feels like part of the experience. I ordered ahead and rolled up to their little pickup window and honestly, it’s kind of perfect.

The Dan Dan Noodles held up in the container like they were built for travel. Creamy, nutty, the right amount of heat, and somehow still fresh. The Hakka Mochi made everything feel intentional, not like an afterthought. And the move that officially made me a fan is this: they let you take as much chili oil as you want. Dangerous. Beautiful. Correct.

Joy is one of those spots that reminds you great food doesn’t need a dining room to hit. Their takeout has the same energy as eating inside: consistent, and quietly excellent.

If you’re in Highland Park, swing by the window and grab a bag.
Some places are good in person. Joy is good everywhere. Go pick some up tonight!

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