Beyond the Screen: How One LA Wine Bar Is Quietly Rekindling the Art of Conversation

Honestly, you could say we’ve all become a bit… tethered. Our faces, perpetually illuminated by the glow of a screen, even when we’re ostensibly “out” with friends. It’s a modern paradox, isn’t it? We gather, yet we remain curiously distant, constantly pulled by the digital currents of notifications and feeds. But then, there's a place in Los Angeles, quietly challenging this very norm. Bar Monette, that is. It’s not just serving wine; it's serving up something far more rare: the almost forgotten art of genuine, face-to-face conversation.

Walking into Bar Monette, nestled in its unassuming LA spot, you feel it immediately—a gentle nudge, a palpable shift in atmosphere. The air, for once, isn't thick with the silent hum of vibrating phones or the frantic tapping of texts. And that’s by design, a deliberate, beautiful choice made by its founders, Monette and her partner. Their vision? To recreate something akin to those cozy, intimate European bars where chatter and connection are the main course, not just an afterthought. Here, the soft lighting, the inviting seating—it all conspires to encourage you to actually look at the person across from you, really listen.

Oh, and about the phones? While there isn't a bouncer snatching them at the door, the unspoken understanding, the gentle encouragement to keep them tucked away, is powerful. It’s a kind of subtle social engineering, you could say, but in the best possible way. Suddenly, without the digital safety net, people find themselves engaging, truly present. They talk, they laugh, they even—gasp!—make eye contact. It’s astonishing, really, how quickly the conversation flows once the constant siren song of your device is muted. For once, the people around you become the most interesting thing in the room.

Of course, it’s a wine bar, so let's talk about the libations. Monette and her team aren't just pouring any old thing; no, they’re curating a thoughtful, often adventurous list. Think natural wines, yes, but also those fascinating, lesser-known labels that spark curiosity and, well, more conversation. It’s a journey for the palate, a gentle push beyond the familiar, much like the bar's entire ethos. And the food? Small plates, expertly crafted, designed not to distract but to complement, to enhance the moment—to be shared, naturally, among those rediscovered connections.

So, is Bar Monette just a quaint anomaly, a nostalgic nod to a bygone era? Perhaps. But in truth, it feels like something more significant. It’s a quiet rebellion against the relentless pull of the digital world, a gentle reminder that some of the richest experiences, the most profound connections, happen when we simply show up, unplugged, and engage with the humanity right in front of us. And for that, in this fast-paced, screen-obsessed city, it’s a truly welcome, refreshing, and honestly, vital space.