Fireplace bars
Heat up your night at these hot spots
November 8, 2007
Wild Pug
4810 N. Broadway - ChicagoIf Oscar Wilde were alive today, this is what his pub would be like. At least that's what the owners say--and they just might be on to something.
Old Oak Tap
2109 W. Chicago Ave. - ChicagoThis spacious hang on Chicago Avenue manages to be cozy and open at the same time. If they're free, grab the two chairs flanking the fireplace on the first floor.
Logan Bar & Grill
2230 N. California Ave. - ChicagoThis neighborhood bar and grill is brought to you by the owners of Northside Bar & Grill and the Black Beetle.
Martini Club
3124 N. Central Ave. - ChicagoFans of Martini Club in Jefferson Park will find more to love at this second location in a much larger space. Spread out over 15,000 square feet, the club features four rooms and four bars, plus a huge dance floor. fueled by Euro tunes Check out the 40 by 20 foot video wall and two lanes of bowling, or snuggle up by one of the fireplaces.
The Boundary
1932 W. Division St. - ChicagoThis splashy tavern and grill, from the crew behind Lakeview's Trace, features plenty of plasma TVs for sports fans, a wide selection of beers, and contemporary bar food with a few creative twists.
Wilde Bar & Restaurant
3130 N. Broadway - ChicagoOwners for this Lakeview pub drew inspiration from Irish writer Oscar Wilde: Look for traditional Victorian bars, stained-glass ceiling domes, a couple of fireplaces and a library-like area.
D4 Irish Pub & Cafe
345 E. Ohio St. - ChicagoThis Irish pub and cafe named after a wealthy Dublin zip code features upscale pub food favorites and an ample selection of craft beers, whiskeys and wine.
Pint
1547 N. Milwaukee Ave. - ChicagoThis Irish-owned sports bar and grill offers Irish favorites like Guinness, Harp and fish and chips, but also plays up to the American crowd with burgers, chicken wings and local sports teams on the televisions.
Reagle Beagle
160 E. Grand Ave. - ChicagoNick at Nite fans will have no trouble identifying the inspiration for the name of this afterwork spot that features '70s and '80s music and TV theme songs, kitschy cocktails and late-night sing-alongs.
Cork & Kerry
10614 S. Western Ave. - ChicagoCork & Kerry, a friendly and classy neighborhood pub, is as inviting as the charming watering holes of its namesake Irish counties. Beer selections rotate on 20 taps, but Guinness and Harp are constants.
Simon's Tavern
5210 N. Clark St. - ChicagoSteeped in Chicago history, this friendly Andersonville hangout maintains a nostalgic, historic feel.
Uncommon Ground on Devon
1401 W. Devon Ave. - ChicagoThe owners of Wrigleyville's Uncommon Ground on Clark are also behind this eco-focused Edgewater outpost
Fulton Lounge
955 W. Fulton Market - ChicagoFulton Lounge boasts a chic, minimalist space and attracts a sophisticated clientele.
Kirkwood Bar & Grill
2934 N. Sheffield Ave. - ChicagoLakeview spot from the Four Corners Tavern Group--the folks behind Brownstone Tavern & Grill, Schoolyard Tavern & Grill, Gaslight Bar & Grille and Sidebar Grille.
404 Wine Bar
2852 N. Southport Ave. - Chicago404 offers an atmosphere that's almost like home. As patrons sip from a large selection of wine, they can sink into leather sofas and relax by the fireplace, or get close and personal with the bartender at the bar.
McFadden's Restaurant and Saloon
1206 N. State Pkwy. - ChicagoThis Irish bar-restaurant space boasts a 53-foot main bar, nine 42-inch plasma TVs and a 4 a.m. liquor license. This Gold Coast spot is the sixth location of a pub established in New York in the '70s.
The Grafton
4530 N. Lincoln Ave. - ChicagoYou won't see any of the bric-a-brac typically found in Irish pubs at this Lincoln Square hang. An Irish-American menu features everything from fish and chips to steak sandwiches.
The Violet Hour
1520 N. Damen Ave. - ChicagoIt's challenging enough just to get a seat here on a weekend night, let alone a seat by the fireplace -- but if you arrive early or you're just ridiculously patient, you just might be able to swing it.
Iguana Cafe
517 N. Halsted St. - ChicagoThis Internet cafe features an eclectic mix of sandwiches, baked goods and surprises like cheese or chocolate fondue. Settle in and read a magazine or play a game. A roaring fireplace and gurgling fountain create a soothing atmosphere.
Tavish
1335 W. Wrightwood Ave. - ChicagoThis cozy restaurant-bar offers better-than-average pub grub, including an especially popular burger.
Uncommon Ground on Clark
3800 N. Clark St. - ChicagoIt's easy to feel comfortable here, whether you're enjoying the weather and a cup of coffee at the tables outside, or sitting in the window bay on a pillow. Pull up a seat around the handcarved bar, or sit at a table and peer through the windows at the traffic on Clark on Grace streets. The menu includes many organic and vegetarian selections, including homemade soups and pastries baked daily. The establishment's owners open their doors to community performers almost every night of the week.
Friar Tuck
3010 N. Broadway - ChicagoPerhaps the most distinctive element of this watering hole is its unique facade, which looks like the end of a barrel pointing toward the street. The all-wood motif continues on the inside, where patrons can relax around a fireplace or play darts or video games. Family-owned since 1970 at the same location.
Leg Room
7 W. Division St. - ChicagoThe Leg Room brings martini madness to Division Street. While trendy, the room certainly out-classes anything else in the vicinity. Plenty of lounge furniture and funky fixtures accentuate the laid-back vibe (dig that free jukebox, chock-full of cocktail-nation anthems--from Esquivel to Combustible Edision). There's a dance floor, an elevated area for bird-dogging and an enormous island bar that takes care of all libations. DJs frequently spin from the back booth, while the hip and aspiringly hip vie to see who has the smokiest stogie or swimmingest martini.
Moretti's Ristorante & Pizzeria
6727 Olmsted Ave. - ChicagoYou don't have to be a sports fanatic to have a good time at Moretti's, but with 40 big-screen TVs constantly broadcasting every athletic event under the sun, it helps. This casual spot specializes in Italian and American fare but is best known for its thin- and deep-dish pies. An enormous tree-lined beer garden seats 300.
Finn McCool's
15 W. Division St. - ChicagoGet ready for Irish cheer: There's bric-a-brac, denim-covered barstools and dancing upstairs at The Loft.
La Madia
59 W. Grand Ave. - ChicagoThis River North pizza-focused spot features a contemporary fireplace in the front bar area.
The Full Shilling Public House
3724 N. Clark St. - ChicagoThe folks at Ala Carte Entertainment have remodeled their "under-performing" bar Fuel, giving it the full Emerald Isle treatment, complete with loads of Irish bric-a-brac, stone-embedded walls and plenty of dark wood trim.
Excalibur
632 N. Dearborn St. - ChicagoJust a stone's throw from some of Chicago's hottest restaurants and clubs, Excalibur is one of the largest nightclubs in the city. With more than 60,000 square feet of partying space, this late-night, early-morning, prime-time groove palace gives party-goers much more than they can chew.
Lion Head Pub
2251 N. Lincoln Ave. - ChicagoThis double-decker nightspot offers an English-style pub on the main floor that attracts a ready-to-drink crowd of twentysomethings. Upstairs, you'll find sibling lounge The Apartment.
Celtic Crown Public House
4301 N. Western Ave. - ChicagoHoused in a vintage building in the Lincoln Square neighborhood, Celtic Crown Public House bills itself as a "little bit or Ireland."
Roscoe's Tavern
3356 N. Halsted St. - ChicagoNo doubt, Roscoe's is one of Chicago's best-known gay bars. On weeknights, it's a place to unwind after a hard day's work. Come here to shoot a game of pool or grab a sandwich at the bar's summertime sidewalk cafe (or eat inside during the winter). On weekends, get ready for a fun change of pace: The six bars and big dance floor are in full swing. Between shaking it, take a breather on the outdoor garden patio.
