When the temperatures plummet in Chicago, there’s nothing cozier than sitting by a fireplace with a cocktail or a comforting meal—ideally both—and these restaurants and bars are the ultimate spots for winter warming. Here are our top picks for fireplace bars and restaurants in Chicago.
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1000 W. Armitage Ave. / Website
Leave it to the maestros of ambiance at Hogsalt to whip up a pub that gives off posh, 1920s-London vibes but also manages to feel like the hippest spot in the neighborhood. That’s this Lincoln Park destination, whose romantic low lighting, wood-burning fireplace and Indian-leaning pub menu of lamb samosas, naan, curries and tandoori chicken—plus a cheeseburger, as these are the folks behind Au Cheval, after all—all add up to the most winning and coziest of combinations in all four seasons.
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751 N. Clark St. / Website
One of downtown Chicago’s most beloved pubs, this welcoming, no-fuss watering hole draws expats looking for a taste of the old sod as well as locals and visitors thirsty for a pint, good conversation and live music. Grab one of 13 beers on tap from the bartenders (Irish transplants, of course) and settle in by the fireplace for some craic.
845 W. Washington Blvd. / Website
A live fire blazes in this West Loop restaurant’s 12-foot, custom-built grill manned by executive chef and partner John Manion, arguably the city’s king of open-fire cooking. For the ultimate visit, partake in the three-course Hearth Table experience, a culinary endeavor evocative of Argentina’s traditional Sunday suppers. It features the best of Che’s menu, served family-style with optional wine pairings, tableside cocktails, food add-ons, and more.
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1349 W. Cornelia Ave. / Website
Settle in for cocktails, coffee, aperitifs and Italian-Mediterranean shareable bites at this buzzy Southport gem, which features a roaring fireplace and swanky, contemporary environs—perfect for hunkering down and watching the snow fall. Seasonal and locally sourced ingredients set the stage for specials like endive-topped lamb scottadito, kampachi crudo and sweet corn agnolotti.
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5739 N. Ravenswood Ave. / Website
This Ravenswood neighborhood joint is the place to go for an evening spent enjoying craft brews by the roaring fire and tasty Cajun-spiced fare, from pork chops and ribs to tavern-style pizza and spaghetti bolognese. Catch the game in the lounge, or take your crew to the heated patio for year-round outdoor dining.
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85 E. Wacker Drive / Website
Acclaimed travel destination LondonHouse is home to a luxe 21st-floor indoor bar set aglow by a smoldering fireplace, LH21. The eatery features globally inspired dishes, craft cocktails and a lineup of shareable small plates, with highlights like the meatball flatbread, beef tenderloin skewers, chicken bao buns and paneer Mumbai fries.
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3201 W. Armitage Ave. / Website
With multiple cozy fireplaces and an accomplished, gin-forward cocktail menu (not to mention bites like fire chicken scallion pancakes and soy-glazed mushroom and kale sandos), this Logan Square charmer is an ideal spot to wait out a polar vortex.
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3130 N. Broadway / Website
With an Oscar Wilde-inspired literary theme (think shelves of books and walls covered with eclectic art) and a menu brimming with hearty bar fare like chicken curry, shepherd’s pie and grilled cheese, this Lakeview staple is coziness personified. Pull up an armchair by the fireplace, and your winter woes will be a memory.
See also: The 7 Best Holiday Lights Displays In Chicago
Photography by: Top photo by Aleksandr Zubkov/Getty Images; El Che photo by Huge Galdones
