CineOpera

The former L.A. Cha Cha Chá space in the Arts District has gone from Latin plates to an amaro bar with a massive screen. If you’re looking to Negroni and chill, this rooftop bar is for you.

The vibe: Holding onto much of the decor from its past life, CineOpera focuses on an indoor-outdoor experience complete with occasional movie screenings. You can reserve a seat directly in front of the screen for $5, but the sound will play throughout the space. In the obstructed views elsewhere, it ends up feeling more like you’re watching a favorite movie at a friend’s house—with all the conversational detours that implies—than a movie screening. Non-movie nights get a little more energetic, especially with the occasional DJ, but it always maintains the energy of a living room at a party.

The food: The lean food menu has a couple of more substantial pasta dishes, including a hearty tomato rigatoni and what rooftop is complete without a Caesar salad? Mostly, however, the menu is full of lighter bites like empanadas that carry you through the bottle of wine you ordered while your friend’s drama suddenly starts colliding with the movie playing in the background. 

The drink: Though there’s a focus on amari and Italian wines from small producers, there’s ultimately a full bar at your disposal. Specialty cocktails are good, but you get the most out of the bar knowing they can whip up a Paper Plane or Hanky Panky without issue or substitution. The wine list enters the conversation with some of its neighboring wine bars, but it doesn’t really pull out ahead in any direction.

Time Out tip: If you love going to rowdy screenings of movies or are always asking “Who’s that?” or “What’s happening?” at the screen, CineOpera provides a safe space for you from cocktails to credits.