5 Favorite Chicago Bars for Winter 2019

Words by Cody Howard
Photos by Cody Howard

Winter is here and the snow has already buried cars. As the temperature continues to drop it’s time to find your local watering hole. Here are a few favorites to keep you warm throughout the winter.

Scofflaw

Logan Square

If you’re into $5 gin and tonics, multiple fireplaces, and Victorian-Style interiors Scofflaw is a great place to go. This gin focused cocktail bar has been a favorite of Logan Square for many years. Fireplaces and couches scattered throughout make Scofflaw the perfect place to grab a drink on cold blizzardy nights. Make sure you stay until midnight when they bring out freshly baked chocolate chip cookies!

Butch McGuire’s

Gold Coast

If Holiday decorations are more of your thing, this is your place. Since 1961, this bar has been serving the Gold Coast community with warmth and good times. For the past 30 years Butch McGuire’s has been decorating the entire bar each holiday season, including a remote controlled train circling the entire bar area. Not only to they serve great drinks, but they do great charity work as well. Instrumental in the “Santa Clause Anonymous” movement, today the bar hosts a toiletry drive, funds Mercy Home for Boys and Girls events, and raises over $18,000.00 for charity each holiday season.

The Allis

West Loop 

Settled in the ground floor of Soho House The Allis boasts up-scale vibes, house made pastries, and the perfect spot to watch the snow fall outside of their floor-to-ceiling windows. The Allis offers all day dining in case food is more of your thing, but their cocktails will not disappoint.

The Up Room

Wicker Park

Our favorite next door neighbors, The Robey Chicago’s rooftop bar hosts some of the best views in all of Chicago. As the tallest building in Wicker Park, The Up Room provides 360 views of Chicagoland and an amazing cocktail selection that is rotated frequently. The Up Room only hosts 40 people so get there early or go on a week night to get your spot!

Replay

Lincoln Park

You know what goes great with craft beer? Free arcade games. Formerly known as Headquarters, the bar changed their name to Replay after splitting from the other HQ locations to keep the games free and the beer list long. This local favorite hosts a wide array of options such as: pinball, Frogger, NBA Jam, and air hockey to name a few. If you’re with a large group of friends this is a perfect option for a night out.