Photograph: Rebecca Fishman, all others Katie Robbins unless noted

Los Angeles has no shortage of romantic date night options. You could try hiking up to Griffith Observatory for a sunset snuggle; taking a spin on the Ferris wheel at the Santa Monica Pier; standing in line for hours to gorge yourself on hotdogs.

But sometimes the occasion calls for something simpler—a chance for you and your sweetie (or potential sweetie) to unwind and open up a bit. And nothing sets the mood for relaxation and stimulating conversation like a good drink. Whether you're looking for cocktails to spark conversation on a first date or for something to take the edge off after leaving the kids with a sitter, here are 6 of our favorite LA spots for a date night drink.

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About the author: Katie Robbins is a writer based in Los Angeles. Her work has appeared in Saveur, O Magazine, Psychology Today, and Eating Well, among others. You can follow her on Twitter at @robbinskatie.