Pros: This place is really fun. I've visited several times, both mid-week on the weekend. I've enjoyed every visit. There are always enough types of beers that even my pickiest friends (okay, I'm the pickiest) find something they can drink all night. The music is always entertaining and varied. I love the walnuts you get to crack. Cons: It can get loud as fnck in there, and the brick walls don't help the acoustics any. The smoking area in the back is separated by a curtain that's always opening and closing, so the back half of the bar stinks. The beers are expensive, but pretty much on par with other hipster craft beer bars. The $7 hummus plate comes with just one small pita cut in quarters. But nobody comes here for the hummus. read more

When The Echo lets out half the patrons scurry across the street to get a real beer (sorry Echo but you stopped serving Shock Top; your last good beer) at El Prado. So if you saw a really cute girl in the crowd but couldn't find her while signing out your tab at The Echo bar, be sure to walk across the street. Guaranteed by the time you get over there she will be coming out of those clean bathrooms. Because well, all the girls hold it at The Echo, and I don't blame them, and rush for the clean ones a stones throw away. So trust me, grab your bacon wrapped veggie dog from the street vendor and down it waiting for the light to change before you have some of the best beers served on tap in this minimalist's wonderland. Sure its hipster heaven but obviously you are a hipster because you just saw a sold out show for band that nobody has heard of, right? After you chug that second Delirium Tremens you and that kooky indie chick will be hiding in one of the exposed brick nooks showing everyone how emo you are. Get it on Echo Park! read more

Stopped over at El Prado before going to the Echo across the street for a few wines. Their white wines are really good. Not sweet, crisp, refreshing, and floral are my favorite kinds and El Prado had one that was lovely (too bad the name escapes me) and for only $7 a glass or something cheap like that. I could see why this place is so happening. It's really small and it's mainly bar seating with only wine food like cheese and olives. A dimly lit space with wooden wall panels and a record player takes me back to the 80's, or makes me feel like I'm in an Urban Outfitters ad with the models to match. Overall cool place to hang out. This area has only booty street parking and tends to get crowded quickly. read more

Diamonds and I spent a solid year in bars researching possible places for sale - this was one of them. You'd never know it was there unless you were looking up licenses... If I lived around the block - I think I would find myself in here from time to time - but nothing I would go out of my way for... Truly a hidden - how do you say...? gem? Maybe not so much. Classic ratty black curtain at the entry to BAM!!! A few drunk locals playing pool. All Spanish all of the time - but pretty easy to get a beer OR soda. Hell playing pool wasn't an issue either. Not having played in awhile the two of us became some light entertainment for the few drinkers at the corner of the bar... What's with the napkins smashed in to the top of the bottles when they are being served..? Trivia: Bar was owned by "Joe" who owns the Gold Room up the street. We've been told that the Echo has now picked up the place... read more

El Prado, I love your ambiance. You are definitely a true beer and wine spot. I recently quit drinking 6 months ago so it had been awhile since our last encounter but anyway I went to revisit a few weeks ago as I took a friend from out of town and I was happily surprised to see that you serve non alcoholic beer that I got to enjoy with the cheese platter. Well done el prado, well done! read more

I'm not even a "craft brew" kind of guy, most of the stuff on tap here has too much flavor for me. But I like this place. It just FEELS right. The bar is cozy, lots of wood, and yes, it is chock-a-block with Echo park Eastside hipsters. Which is NOT as bad as it sounds, except it leads to the occasionally annoying indie rock noisefest on the vinyl record player. Yes, vinyl. Again, a touch like that would usually annoy me, as bartenders are very often TERRIBLE DJ's. But the last time I was there Toots and The Maytals' reggae masterpiece "Funky Kingston" was rotating behind the bar. Most excellent. CONS: Odd hours, it needs to get with it this Spring and get open before and after Dodger games. read more

This is like some cool, secret little 70s New York boho bar from a Woody Allen movie. A great little place for a date or a glass of really good red wine with a couple friends. Never too loud for an intimate chat, plenty of cute stylish locals to check out, maybe strike up a conversation with. I love the fact that they really great, earthy red wine at $5 or $6 a glass. I recommend the Malbec when they have that on the menu. The bouncer looks like Morrissey, and the cute girl bartenders play their own records... ranging from The Runaways, The Stooges, Modern Lovers, to Prince. There is a smoking patio out back, and best of all, it feels friendly and low-key, a safe place for a single girl to go alone and sit at the bar without being disturbed by creepy guys. In fact, one night a very intoxicated young guy (NOT a regular) was bothering me, and the Morrissey lookalike bouncer in horn-rimmed glasses was a total gentleman and politely asked the heckler to leave. Now where else can you say that? read more

I came here with a friend on a Saturday around 5pm and there was only one couple in the bar (sitting at one of the two hightop booths). We snagged the other booth and a few drinks from the bar then sat back and listened to the vinyl. The beer was good, the service was speedy, and the place wasn't crowded, plus the restroom was clean and it didn't hurt that the bartender was handsome. But El Prado has a few elements in the minus column: - It is LOUD. The music is turned all the way up, and as the night wore on and more people trickled in their conversations were yelled above the music - It's dark. This is probably great if you're on a pity date with an unattractive friend of a friend, but not if you're with someone you don't mind, or enjoy seeing. - Parking can be a bit of a pain. I parked on Park near Echo Park. It's a bit of a walk, but more than manageable. If you're in Echo Park I'd suggest checking out El Prado especially if you're waiting for a table at Masa. read more

Kind of expensive and also really dark inside. There was a good selection of wine/beer, but that's about it.

Went in last night hoping to grab a beer. The beer selection wasn't huge, but everything on the menu looked good. Unfortunately, the bartender chose to help everyone in the bar but my boyfriend and I. First he helped the other people that wandered in at the same time as us (understandable), then he made a round checking on everyone else, stopping at the end before he got to us. Finally, when there was no one left to help, he decided to dig through the record collection up front, avoiding eye contact with us. There were less than twenty people there, I can't imagine he really forgot the only two people seated at the bar that didn't have a drink in front of them. I love craft beer, dug their selection, liked the vibe - but can't justify giving it any stars since I didn't actually get to partake in anything this place had to offer. Won't be back. read more

Very cute and chill bar. It's very intimate and has a dark feeling, which I love. Wasn't too expensive and the bartender was really nice. I'd return for sure. read more

I used to really dig this place a couple years ago. I went back recently, and it was hard to believe I was in the same place. I know that Echo Park is the latest to fall victim to the "trendster" conquest, but I had hoped that the small size of this joint would have at least staved off total lame-ification for at least a few years. Boy, was I wrong. 1. Overpriced 2. Ultra loud 3. Pretentious 4. Inconsiderate clientele I suppose they can do nothing about number four, but the other three are factors that were absent when I first came here. Back then, there was a very nice bartender lady who would play The Queen Is Dead (before Moz became trendy) all the time. Now, they blast awful new music, which forces everyone to shouting volume the entire time. I ordered my usual Cava (Spanish champagne) despite the $2 price increase, and for my second, I asked for the cheapest wine they had, which incurred a frown and a snobby, wine-and-cheese "I'm-going-to-pretend-I-didn't-hear-that" comment. I couldn't really enjoy the wine after that. By the way, I agree with Jon G. Serve your beer in a pint glass, not in a fucking midget chalice. Another one bites the dust... read more

I love this bar. It's the same shape and layout of my old favorite bar back in SF. Like literally the exact same. Good beer selection. Yay beer! Quiet enough to have a conversation and loud enough to have a private one. It also had a really good vibe. read more

Basically this: epic hopulent + vinyl + conversation + corner booth = magical read more

The smell of cedar. Vinyl records by request. Bleu cheese and honeycomb. Delirium Tremens. My heart....swells... Echo Park, the bar gods have just opened the gates. May Prado save our dirty, vermin infested, hipster trampled souls. Amen. read more

This is a pretty cozy, romantic spot. They serve just beer and wine (makes the bartender's job pretty easy), and while the selection isn't large, they did have some pretty good beers that I haven't seen elsewhere. A big part of my disappointment may have been because I searched for bars with outdoor seating, and this definitely did not have that. It was one grungy bench where people go out to smoke. Don't come here if you're looking to sit outside and enjoy the weather! read more

Hipster central. Too pretentious for my blood, at least for a night out drinking with the boys. Probably better for a chill night having drinks with the girlfriend. Nothing special about the beer selection or pricing. read more

Intimate hipster bar. Drinks are reasonable for the area - about $7. Decent selection of beer and wine. It has a relaxed vibe and they spin music. Went there on a Friday night and it was pretty chill until around 10 and then it got busy. read more

I love this bar. It has an ever changing beer/wine/champagne list which is great because it forces me to try new things instead of getting my plain old corona. I am lucky enough to live right down the street. Being so close, my fiance and I frequent here a lot just to get a couple of drinks and talk. Perfect place to have a chill beer. I've never encountered a seating problem and I've always been served very promptly. Plus the bathrooms are so clean, which is rare for a bathroom in echo park. read more

If you were looking to get in a bar fight in Spanish, El Prado is no longer your bar... After an extensive facelift, El Prado has reopened with a vengeance. It is still a beer bar, but now instead of Tecates and Coronas, it's rare Belgian Ales made in monestaries. When we walked in, David Bowie was playing on the record player, and the beer menu is written on the mirrored wall behind the bar. There are no gaudy beer signs, no giant beer handles, and no table tents. The decor is simple and unassuming, and we immediately felt comfortable. I didn't recognize any of the beers, but the bartenders were knowledgeable and made a recommendation based on what mood I was in. I ended up with Abbaye des Rocs Tripel served in a trappist glass. It's a smaller pour, but since it is around 10% alcohol, this is probably a blessing. At $7.00 a glass, it's a steal. Drinking beer made by monks, snacking on radishes, butter and bread, listening to records, El Prado will surely be my new home. ...And not one Mexican barfight. read more

El Prado is the perfect bar! I love this place, it is minimalist in the coolest of ways...no attitude, low prices, high quality. Just beer, wine and nosh! Plus the barkeeps are well informed of the drinks and the tunes--they're in charge of the simple turntable and the crate of garage-sale vinyl. El Prado's got several beers on tap and about a dozen wines by the glass. Everything's killer! You're not going to find these wines at Trader Joe's and you're not likely to see these beers at most bars--GREAT BELGIAN ALES! Imports and domestic thrive for both the beer and wine and the bartender was happy to describe everything on the list. No attitude! For snackage, olives, a little charcuterie, really tasty cheese...again simple, easy, totally awesome. So yeah, for a slice of really cool, non pretentious, tasty fun EL PRADO rocks! Echo Park is looking better and better! read more

Extremely charming after the shocking makeover. I remember when this place was a Ranchero bar dump. I used to drink here with the power pop punk kids who used to get a lot of shit from the old drunk dudes that were really freaked out by their tight pants and stripe-y shirts. Ah 2004... Now it's all revamped into a slick wine and beer bar that also serves light cosmopolitan snacks like olives and almonds. Wine selection is just enough to offer something for everyone and beers on tap were also a decent mix. DJ was playing some fun tunes and the crowd was lively and feisty without being ghetto at all. I'm adding this place to the regular pit stops from now. read more

Favorite bar in LA. just sayin' and whoever Dana is who wrote "I like my belgians in a dark room" is spot on. read more

El Prado is such a special place. It's like stepping into a friend's home. Dim lighting and candles set the mood for a calm, yet cool environment to drink some of the finest beers anywhere in LA. The DJs keep the tunes fresh and the vibe going in this hipster paradise. There's a smoking patio out back. The bathrooms are generally clean and stocked. There's usually plenty of street parking and there's never been a line to get in. My favorite menu item: The walnut platter. $3 for a bowl full of walnuts you have to crack yourself. It's a great conversation piece and a great way to get your protein and essential omega-3. Favorite Beer? I haven't tried them all, but the Pilsner is fantastic, and at $6 a pint, it's not too hard on the wallet. read more

Mike and I have this absurd running tally of places to hit in Echo Park / Silver Lake -- culled from here and Eater and Gridskipper and random chatter. Our list is generally validated by building buzz -- we've had our eye on 15 since before it opened, same with The Park. We are a bit congratulatory when we see stuff about places on our list ("gosh, we are so hip! How did we get so hip?!?"). And then, you know, we go out and realize we're not hip (or at least not as hip as 80% of the EP / SL area). I've made peace with it, I don't try to hide my Westsider-ness and I haven't tweaked my wardrobe for any of these outings, and I don't have a problem voicing my disdain for the heat (hello, this past weekend), and how I can't wait to sleep in the cool Marina air. Ha! El Prado has been on the list for a couple of weeks. We decided to bump it up the list as, being a bar, its flare out could be bigger than a restaurant, or the place could be packed beyond belief. We got there just before 10 on this past Saturday (after dinner at Andiamo, a couple of rounds of Spit, and a bottle of wine). We got there just before the rush -- the bar itself had no available seats, but the wall area was empty. We got seats and a couple of beers, some strawberries and chocolate, and surveyed the scene. Tidbits of thoughts: Dark. Great music. Small. Great beer selection. Good crowd. Good. This is good. More beer. Good beer. Oops, they're out of a beer! Wiped off the mirror, like it never existed. No locks on bathroom doors. Good tunes. Nice crowd. Dark wood. Little tealights. Beer beer beer. I'm into it. I'm way into it. read more

This place is small and dark, and very simple, but it all totally works and has a good vibe. Right now they are only serving about 8 beers, and some snacks and i think they are going to be serving wine soon? Try the Saint Bernardo beer.....its so yummy and it has 10.5 percent alcohol. wooo hoo! sip on your beer and enjoy the sweet sounds of vinyl playing through the speakers. read more

Was checking out a band at The Echo but was a bit early, so ended up here as a close option to get a beverage. Tiny little place with a long bar and stools along the back wall. Dimly lit, romantic, dark feel. They only serve beer and wine so also has that mellow atmosphere at least for the Monday night that we were here. . . Selection wasn't as big as I would've liked for the beer or wine, but settled on something new that ended up being enjoyable. The music is played by a record player, which in theory is cool . . . but the bartender would also get a bit behind which left us in silence for some bits of time. If you're a local or going to the Echo it's worth checking out, but not sure if you'd need to seek out otherwise. read more

So here's the deal: I like this bar, and I feel vaguely guilty for giving it only three stars. If I lived in the neighborhood, it would get 4 because it's just the sort of place I'd like to walk down the street to hang at. But I have to get in the car (which I hate) and drive a decent distance to get to it. And I don't love the place enough to make the trek just for it. That said, El Prado has a cool vibe: brick walls, a heavy oak bar that's wider than usual, little orbs of lights. I liked the crowd too: not trying too hard and just enough of them to feel you're at a worthwhile place but not feel crowded at the same time. There's an interesting choice of beers. My friend had the St. Bernadus. And this means nothing to me, but he was impressed by the Green Flash IPA for $4. I had a shandy, which is half beer and half lemonade. They used the good lemonade too: Simply Lemonade and not Country Time like I feared. And while I'm not like: OMG, shandies are amazing and you should go get one RIGHT NOW, it was a nice change of pace, if a little weird-tasting. Also, I was impressed by the music. Lots of old R&B. And on vinyl! They also have a limited menu. It's not meal-worthy, but it's just enough to take the drunken edge off. If I'm already in the neighborhood, I'll definitely stop by El Prado. If I'm not, I won't. read more

I LOVE this bar! It is the antithesis of my other love, Little Joy. It's Echo park, but all grow-ed up. a great complement to my usual diet of dive bars---a girls gotta get some class once in a while. yes it's hip and maybe too cool for school, but if you don't like that kinda snobby east side tomfoolery please...go someplace else: we like it how it is. read more

A decent little -- and I mean little -- bar in the heart of Echo Park. Perfect for pre-Echo(plex) meetups, Record Club on Tuesday nights and some nice craft beers. El Prado can get horribly crowded depending on the night; I've been in here sometimes where I can snag a few seats at the bar with no problems -- and then there's the times when you and your friends are forced to stand and move awkwardly around El Prado's narrow corridor because there are simply too many people crammed inside. Seriously, can we get a "Maximum Occupancy" rule enforced up in here? Aside from the space issues, El Prado has a fantastic, although pricey, selection of imported and local beers. I love that they carry the Eagle Rock Brewery brands, because getting a drink at the actual brewery is 10x worse than finding space to stand comfortably at El Prado. The cheese plate with meat isn't worth the $12; four pieces of salami, two small wedges of cheese and a handful of crackers. I was sorely disappointed. But I'll be back. I always have been. I'll just make sure to come earlier next time. read more

Great all around. Love this bar. I love the nooks by the front windows. They allow tasting before ordering, always a plus. Tip: Go to Masa across the street to order a deep dish pizza, go to El Prado while you wait for it to cook. BOOM!!!! read more

I went here on Thursday night two weeks ago with my sister. Once inside I could tell it was a pretty hipster-ish place-not that there's anything wrong with that. It definitely had a cool vibe but not a 'too cool' vibe I've gotten at other places where you feel you're being looked at weird because you're not wearing tight black jeans, black T-shirt, and an interesting accessory. No, this place was hip but still casual. The pictures capture it pretty well. Beer and wine only but we were totally fine with that since my sister and i both LOVE beer. I couldn't tell you that names of the ones we got since that night was a little hazy but I do remember a Telegraph something and a Smoked Stout or something like that. The drawback is that a pint is pretty pricey ($7-$12) so if you're on a budget maybe get yourself a couple beers somewhere else (liquor store maybe?) and pop in for one or two of these beers. Pricey yes....tasty, you F-en bet. Some of the best beer I've had in LA by far (and being a native I've been just about everywhere in this vast city) A cold one+someone you enjoy being around+great music= a great, chill Thursday night you'll tell your friends about. read more

Maybe my pants aren't tight enough, but trying to squeeze through this bar from one side to the other when it is busy isn't worth the hassle. But if you're super-hip and have a touch of claustrophilia, I can see the appeal. I've been here a number of times in the last couple of years, and I'll say the service has always come with a smile. However, the beers are overpriced and the place is the width of a small car. read more

I love this place and really enjoy the wine and beer and snacks that they have here. But I drank too much and I bought too many snacks and I wanted to take them home with me and the new white tall flow haired guy that was working on the weekend was very rude. I had asked him for a box for my excess snacks and he told me what do you think this is it's a bar we don't have any boxes to give you but I can give you a paper towel. I've been going here for many years and have enjoyed every experience here except for this one. So if you want to eat you have to make sure that you eat everything because they don't have boxes so that you can take your cheese and olives home. read more

We didn't stay long. Our friends wanted hard liquor and the bar doesn't have a license yet. And for some reason, it was only beer, not even wine that night. It looks like a chill place, but your options are limited. The decor, with its slanted wooden slats, reminds me of a swedish sauna from the 70s. read more

I went here on a Saturday night and it was kind of dead. The place is super low key and fun if all you want is some wine or beer. Good service and they play lots of Michael Jackson too! read more

Tiny, cute, awesome spot to have a beer and small plate. Although it is rather tiny and sometimes impossible to get a seat, the atmosphere makes up for the standing time. The beer selection will make you beer snobs very happy, while others can appreciate a good craft beer. read more

Beer and wine bars seem to be a dime a dozen in Los Angeles. Hipster beer and wine bars seem to be even more prevalent in Los Angeles. A good concentration of them seem to be located in the Silverlake/Echo Park area. El Prado is a combination of all of that. A divey bar that is both laid back chill and hipster filled. Generally I hate hipster bars more than I hate Pete Carroll, but I find El Prado to be relaxing. It's by no means easy to talk in this place as it is a small room. Seats are hard to find so get them when you can find it. It's a cool place to chill during the week and it's a cool place to stop in for a drink during the weekends. read more

Cool place to grab a drink but like any bar, difficult to find a spot to sit during busy hours. We were a group of 3 and one member of our party ended up standing behind us the whole time. It was also pretty difficult to get the bartender's attention but he did seem apologetic about skipping over us a few times. Great atmosphere though but I doubt I'll be heading back. read more

Popped in here to kill time while waiting for a table at Masa across the street. It was quiet when I first walked in around 7:15 on a Friday night but the place filled up quickly in the next 15 minutes and the poor bartender was soon jackrabbiting a one-man show. He was really efficient and was mindful of everyone. He even took the time to patiently explain some beers. There's a good selection of wines and beers. I went with a Ladyface Russian stout -- sooo smooth. As for the physical space, dim lighting and small walkways with limited seating. read more