“Later on we’ll conspire, as we dream by the fire…” It may no longer be the Christmas season but it is certainly pretty freaking cold in the month of February, and this snow makes hot drinks and fireplaces even more appealing. But we Chicagoans don’t let single-digit weather keep us from going out and having a few drinks with friends.
Huddling together around a glowing pyre is one of the oldest traditions of mankind. And in that spirit, as we head down the final stretch of winter into spring, let’s stop by five of Logan Square’s most inviting restaurants with fire pits and fireplaces, with their favorite wintertime drinks coming straight from the people in charge:
Logan Bar (2230 N. California Ave.)
Mark Vella, Manager of Logan Bar: “Nothing would go better next to one of our fireplaces than a delicious Hot Spiced Cider cocktail from the bar and one of our highly regarded Burgers (black bean patties are also available). Warm and comforting, this combination will caress your belly until you ask for round two… or three.”
Revolution Brewing (2323 N. Milwaukee Ave.)
Gabriel Boden, General Manager, Revolution Brewing Brewpub: “Typically, people gravitate towards the darker, heavier beers during the winter months.
Our Eugene Porter is a staple of the winter months. It’s a dark, robust porter with notes of chocolate and caramel, but at just under seven percent alcohol by volume, it’s still very drinkable.
Our Deth’s Tar is another story, it’s an Imperial Oatmeal Stout aged in bourbon barrels. That’s a beer to drink slow… It’s dark, full-bodied, and carries some alcohol warmth with flavors of oak, vanilla, and chocolate. It’s also a beer that’s best consumed a little warmer, so it’s ok to warm it up a little too.”
Scofflaw (3201 W. Armitage Ave.)
Danny Shapiro, co-owner and beverage director of Scofflaw Group: “At the moment, now that it’s gotten cold, I could really go for a charcuterie board and something stirred. Maybe an ice cream cookie sandwich and an amaro for dessert.” A fixture of the neighborhood for over six years, Scofflaw has two fireplaces with room to relax and socialize.
The Moonlighter (3204 W. Armitage Ave.)
A mere 49 feet from its sister bar, Scofflaw, The Moonlighter is a recent addition to the Logan Square area, with both an indoor and two outdoor fireplaces. The only thing warmer than their hearths are their warm and friendly staff.
Check out their trivia nights on Wednesdays and sample some shots of Old Grandad Bonded Bourbon or enjoy a traditional Irish coffee with Tullamore Dew, Brown Sugar Simple, handmade whipped cream and nutmeg.
Park & Field (3509 W. Fullerton Ave.)
Kitty Izzo, co-owner & Park & Field interior decorator: “I’m hooked on our chicken & dumplings right now. It’s totally nostalgic for me and takes me right back to being a kid. I’d pair it with a nice glass of wine—the Seven Falls Cabernet is a nice big, full-bodied cab.
We have a great wine list here, and that was important to us to offer an interesting and solid selection.
Again, that’s not typical for a sports bar to have, but it was really important for us to step it up and offer the same quality food and beverages you’d expect from any of Chicago’s great restaurants while watching a game.”
Take a walking tour of these restaurants with Google Maps: Fireplaces of Logan Square
Do you have a favorite fireplace-related experience that you’d like to regale us with? Are there some favorite fireplaces of yours that we missed? Share in the comments below.
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