The French Moroccan restaurant from Amy Morton and James Beard Award-winner Debbie Gold has a huge outdoor space including both a covered terrace and fire pits surrounded by club chairs. Visit in any season to warm up with dinner and a cocktail like the signature G&T made with rosemary tonic and pink peppercorns or a festive Koval cranberry spritz. Make a reservation through OpenTable.
Bars and restaurants throughout Chicago offer a last chance to spend time outside before the temperatures really plunge, warding off the evening chill with fire pits. There are trendy rooftop bars for taking in skyline views from a fire table, casual neighborhood spots that provide the feel of hanging out in a backyard, and restaurants where the chance to cuddle up near a fire is just part of the romance. There are even places open year-round so the bold can stay toasty and enjoy a bit of winter fun with games and hot drinks. Dress in layers and enjoy the season at one of these spots.
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LeTour Brasserie
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Cody's Public House
Dogs are welcome both inside Cody’s Public House and on the retro Lakeview bar’s large patio. The space features plenty of seats, fire pits, bags, and darts along with affordable drinks, making it a great place to watch football or just pop in with the pooch when out for a walk through the neighborhood. They can have a pup cup or treat it as a reward for good behavior.
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Central Park Bar
No invite is required to get the feel of hanging out in someone’s spacious backyard thanks to Avondale’s Central Park Bar. The dive bar’s 3,500-square-foot space boasts a fire pit surrounded by Adirondack chairs plus porch swings, a bumper pool table, and a covered outdoor bar. Swing by during happy hour from 4-7 p.m. Monday through Friday when everything except shots is half price.
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Park & Field
A popular place for parties, the 6,000-square-foot patio at Logan Square’s Park & Field is open year-round with warmth provided by a pair of giant firepits surrounded by Adirondack chairs outfitted with camper blankets. Grab a hot cocktail from the bar, then roast some s’mores fireside. Park & Field’s bocce courts are enclosed and heated for winter play. The space is dog friendly and there’s a menu just for them. Book a table through Resy.
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WhirlyBall Chicago
The signature bumper car-based game, bowling alley, and laser tag arena make WhirlyBall a hit for parties, but groups should be sure to step outside onto the rooftop and decompress after an intense match by sitting on one of the couches surrounding the fire pits. Relax with a craft beer and pub grub like wings, sliders, or street tacos before challenging the group to another round of fun.
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Geja's Cafe
The candlelit interior and curtained-off tables and live music make Geja’s Cafe a favorite for intimate date nights, while the covered recessed outdoor space offers a cozy spot for small groups to share fondue around a fire pit. Have a glass of bubbly or a Manhattan while dipping apple wedges, vegetables, and bread in bubbly gruyere or indulging with churros and marshmallows dunked in Belgian chocolate. Make a reservation through OpenTable.
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Where to Drink Outdoors in Lincoln Park and Lakeview
Table, Donkey and Stick
Table, Donkey, and Stick brings the flavors of the Alps to Logan Square, offering diners the chance to pretend they’re warming up after a day on the slopes rather than just bracing the Chicago winter. Visit November 18 or December 16 for a fire pit party series featuring hot cocktails and dishes created in collaboration with guest chefs including Ryan Brosseau (Dear Margret). Book a spot through Resy.
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Barcocina West Town
Barcocina’s West Town and Lakeview locations both feature 4,000-square-foot patios with couches surrounding the fire pits. When the weather gets really chilly, they set up igloos decked out with festive lights where small groups can gather to snack on tacos, ceviche, and churro bites. The space is also popular for private events thanks to dedicated bars. Make a reservation through OpenTable.
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I|O Godfrey
Toast some marshmallows and make s’mores at the fire pits surrounded by couches at the rooftop bar at The Godfrey Hotel Chicago, which offers spectacular skyline views along with a menu of winter cocktails and sushi. As the temperatures plunge, the space transforms into a winter wonderland with illuminated tents and igloos providing shelter from the wind for those splurging on bottle service. Make a reservation through Tock.
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Upstairs at The Gwen
The terrace at The Gwen Hotel features fire pits surrounded by couches and a long communal fire table. There’s enough open flame to keep much of the space cozy, providing a spot to take in the views while nibbling spanakopita sweetened with honey or trying something from their extensive menu of spirit-free cocktails including a paloma and prickly pear limeade. Make a reservation through OpenTable.
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The Dawson
A large outdoor fireplace and a covered area keep the patio at The Dawson open year-round. Surrounded by plants and strung with lights, there’s plenty of room for parties or group gatherings. Get warm from the inside out with old-fashioned and hearty fare like wood-fired pork chop served with smoked cheddar grits or rigatoni with vodka sauce and whipped ricotta. Make a reservation through OpenTable.
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Pinstripes
A popular location for parties of all sizes, Pinstripes features bowling lanes and both indoor and outdoor bocce courts along with a menu of Italian-American fare like cast iron pesto focaccia and gnocchi with vodka sauce. The riverfront terrace features fire pits surrounded by Adirondack chairs, providing a perfect place to relax with a cocktail between games. Make a reservation through OpenTable.
Fora
The ground floor restaurant at the Emily Hotel in the West Loop offers a heated enclosed patio with fire pits so that the weather can’t stop anyone from enjoying a margarita or daiquiri along with a menu of crowd pleasers like smoked mozzarella mac & cheese and smash burgers. Indulge with a bottomless mimosa brunch or kick off the night with happy hour from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., which offers discounted glasses of wine and snacks like cheese curds. Make a reservation through OpenTable.
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Raised | An Urban Rooftop Bar
Fire pits and heat lamps make Raised | An Urban Rooftop Bar at the Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel a popular place for dates and group gatherings throughout the year. Take in views of the Chicago River and skyline, then snuggle on the couch with a showy cocktail while snacking on ahi tuna tacos or truffle fries. Make a reservation through Tock.
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Château Carbide
Pendry Chicago’s rooftop bar embraces the season by transforming into a winter garden, setting up private lodges with their own fire pits and fluffy blankets for up to six guests. Watch the snow fall while sipping something from their extensive selection of seasonal cocktails paired with a luxurious snack like wagyu tartar or West Coast oysters. Make a reservation through OpenTable.
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Elske
Michelin-starred West Loop restaurant Elske offers a set menu of Scandinavian-influenced dishes accompanied by wine or juice pairings, but you can also just try David and Anna Posey’s seasonal fare a la carte. Reserve a table on the patio to enjoy the warmth of a sizable fireplace along with roasted chicken with chanterelles or celeriac risotto. Make a reservation through OpenTable.
Cindy’s Rooftop
Those who don’t want to bundle up can enjoy views of Millennium Park and Lake Michigan from the enclosed atrium at Cindy Rooftop, but those in search of a closer look can get toasty by the fire pits on the terrace atop the Chicago Athletic Association hotel. Top Chef alum Kaleena Bliss offers a menu of dishes designed to be shared like green curry prawns and braised short rib with collard greens. Book a table through Resy.
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Sociale
Sociale packs its patio with fire pits during the fall, providing a place to gather for bottomless mimosas during brunch or spend happy hour sharing snacks like flatbread, Buffalo wings, and grilled wagyu steak skewers. A theater menu ensures diners heading to a show or movie won’t be late and there’s a menu just for kids complete with mocktails. Make a reservation through OpenTable.
VU Rooftop Bar
Fire tables and heat lamps ensure that VU Rooftop Bar can keep offering views of Lake Michigan and South Loop skyline sunsets even when the temperatures dip. Visit for an all-you-can-eat buffet brunch or late-night snacks like popcorn shrimp with an old fashioned. There’s also plenty of space inside the spot on the 22nd floor if it does get too chilly. Make a reservation through OpenTable.
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Mesler
There’s a fireplace inside Mesler, but those who like to enjoy the crisp fall air can also visit The Sanctuary, the outdoor dining area outside Hyde Park’s Sophy Hotel. Trees give the space a secluded vibe for sitting on one of the bright purple couches by the fire pit and sipping cocktails inspired by the nearby University of Chicago. The restaurant also serves as a community hub where local artists and businesses show off their work. Book a table through Resy.
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