East Side Pour

Nightlife in Los Feliz is a tricky pursuit. A lingering dinner with friends and drinks is usually the extent of it. And when you do decide to go to one of the few bars in the area, chances are good that you'll come home and wish you never went out in the first place. (Sorry, Marty and Elayne. You're more of a once-a-year novelty, not a nightly thing.)

That is until now.

Enter Bar Covell, an intimate wine bar that opened earlier this month on the stretch of Hollywood Boulevard near Umami Burger and Confederacy. The small, buzzing space adds a solid after dark option to the area. In fact, it feels like Los Feliz finally found their Cheers.

And this is what we found when we visited Covell on a Tuesday night.

The buzz: Opened at the beginning of this month by former Cafe Stella persona Dustin Lancaster and Silver Lake Wine man Matthew Kaner, Covell has everyone in Los Feliz talking. And in a good way. Those who haven't yet been by want to. Those that have can't wait to go back.

The scene: Despite what Westisders may think, Los Feliz isn't all hipsters. And nothing proves that better than Covell, which had one of the most completely normal crowds we've seen in awhile. The lively atmosphere was filled with mostly 30-somethings who wanted to relax and talk with friends (an easy feat with low music that blends into the background), lots of couples on dates and even a few solo fliers. This casual spot isn't a meet market or a place to rage. Just a nice, neighborhood spot with good energy and friendly, down-to-earth patrons and staff.

The visuals: This small, dark space feels comfortable and homey with low, Edison bulb lighting, copper table tops and a ton of soft candlelight. An old Indian motorcycle hangs on the wall in the front, while antique cameras, books, photos and boxing gloves take up real estate in the back. Also in the back is an Argentinian dictionary-covered wall (we dare you to read it aloud three glasses in). But Covell's unfussy decor is clean, classic and lacks the gimmicks and themes that usually lend these places their short shelf life.

RUGGED WHEELS: A vintage Indian motorcycle hangs inside Covell, but you won't want to jump on to escape this cool, low key spot that is quickly becoming a neighborhood favorite. (photos Amelia Burns)