Butchr Bar

At first glance, Butchr Bar looks like any other trendy Echo Park wine bar—pink walls, upbeat playlists, and a menu featuring natural wines and shareable plates. But behind that casual facade lies something unexpected: seriously excellent meat that rivals LA’s best steakhouses, without the stiff prices or formal atmosphere.

The tell is the row of illuminated refrigerators behind the bar, where lamb chops, Australian wagyu, and whole cured boar legs hang in dry-aging chambers. This Aussie-owned spot takes its sourcing seriously, bringing in quality cuts from Australia and curing everything in-house. The charcuterie here isn’t an afterthought—expect house-made lamb speck, decadent tri-tip, and boar salami that set it apart from the typical cheese-and-meat board.

The real draw is the wagyu. Two six-ounce cuts clock in under $52 each—practically a steal in LA’s high-end meat scene. The steak arrives with a perfect char and rosy medium-rare center, accompanied by shallot marmalade that adds a touch of sweet acidity. Grab a seat at the cement bar where you can watch the action, chat with bartenders about where your steak was raised, and enjoy the laid-back vibe of denim-clad dates and creative types filling the airy space.

You don’t have to commit to a full carnivore experience, though. The fermented tomatoes and market salad with dukkah-roasted macadamias prove these folks know their way around vegetables too. It’s the kind of place where you can drop in for a glass of chilled red while traffic clears out, then find yourself ordering steak the moment you see one hit the bar.