Chicagoland's best holiday bars of 2019

 
 

In no particular Order:

Suburbs

  • Irish Times 8869 Burlington Ave, Brookfield, IL 60513

    • If you need to experience zoo lights but need more space than Lincoln Park Zoo can offer (or are going there with friends from the suburbs who have children) head to this suburban bar with a cozy fireplace. It’s easy to get to with a car or on the Metra train.

  • Oak Park Brewing Company 155 S Oak Park Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302

    • Same thing. You’re heading in the suburbs. Seeing family or taking visitors sightseeing. Get on the Green line and steps off of it, you’re in a cozy bar that might be a place where you see Santa drinking.

    • The gingerbread-spiced Belgian dark strong ale is one of the best seasonal beers and it’s brewed on location.

City

  • Ludlow Liquors 2959 N. California Ave, Chicago, IL 60618

    • THE NAUGHTY LIST: LUDLOW LIQUORS' VILLAINS OF CHRISTMAS

    • Ludlow Liquors will be bringing back their annual holiday pop-up December 1 through December 31. This year's theme is "The Naughty List: Ludlow Liquors' Villains of Christmas," featuring the best bad guys of classic Christmas movies. Expect appearances by the Grinch, Wet Bandits, Hans Gruber and others alongside food and cocktail specials riffing off the films (and maybe a booby trap or two).

  • Fox Bar (tucked away inside of Soho House), 113-125 N Green St, Chicago, IL 60607

    • For something a bit more adult and still kitchy, there’s Fox Bar inside Soho House. The bar is tiny and looks like Christmas decorations exploded inside of it. The bar will run extended hours on weekends, opening at 5pm on Saturday and Sunday.