If you’ve been living in Chicago long enough to experience the horrors of it’s blistering cold, you already know how hard it is to even want to step one cozy toe outside and past the threshold of your heated apartment. But, it’s Saturday night! You stayed in the last two weekends and binge watched Netflix, finishing two full seasons of your favorite show until you forgot you had an actual life. You’re feeling that cabin fever pretty intensely, but where to go out? You don’t want to go anywhere where you’ll have to wait outside in this insane 5 degree weather (-25 if you count the windchill!) for too long. That is where we are here
to help.

Here is our list of the top 5 bars to attend to this winter in “Chiberia;”

1. Slippery SlopeThis Logan Square bar is the perfect place to go if you always wanted to know what an edgy bar in Dr. Sues’s “Whoville” would look like. During the winter, this place looks like you’re inside the most epic Christmas ugly sweater imaginable — multicolored Christmas lights stream across the ceiling, accompanied by vibrant red-bulbed overhead lights that you’ll always see there year-round. Their custom cocktails are tasteful with a good kick and won’t leave you regretfully broke by the end of the night. The DJ’s there always have a wide range of music and will always play the perfect throwback songs you and your friends didn’t realize you were dying to hear on the dance-floor. Oh, and did I mention they have a photo booth?

2. The Flat Iron

This bar encapsulates the hipster/punk-rock scene that shines in Wicker Park, but you don’t have to be one to feel welcome! The walls in this place are covered in wonderfully bizarre paintings of creatures, landscapes, and designs that will make you feel like you’re at some rockstar’s after party. Their playlist of varied rock, metal and punk anthems get your blood pumping and if you’re into some competitive fun they have arcade games and billiard tables where no one will judge you if you suck! This bar is perfect if you want a hip and chill place to mingle instead of a night out dancing, and they even have a deal sometimes where if you buy a $5 shot, you get a free PBR!

3. Emporium Arcade BarIt’s what happens when an Arcade and a Bar have a love-child. You can play your game while drinking too, and what better combination is that? This place has every arcade game you can think of, even the infamous classics. Their beer selection is on point and easy on your wallet, and there is never a dull moment. Who knew playing Pinball was so much fun on a nice beer buzz? Coming here is a nostalgic treasure and will bring you back to the good ol’ days but with an adult twist. They do a ton of live music events and tournaments that are always exciting, and even movie nights sometimes on the big screen!

4. Harbee Liquor & TavernIf you want a little Latin flare to your night out, Harbee’s is your go to! This place has got the best Latin dance music to shake it to and the widest selection of craft beers. Walking in you will immediately feel the energetic atmosphere and a cozier setting with a smaller dance-floor that the DJ keeps hyped up. The whole place is bordered with an array of vibrant paintings from local artists. Whether you’re there to dance or there to chill out at the bar, or even sit down and eat their yummy dishes, you will always have a good time. Founded in the prohibition era, its aura is historic and one of a kind and is hands-down the hottest bar in the Pilsen area!

Now unwrap yourself from your blanket cocoon and pull yourself out of that couch! We can all still have fun this winter, and even though it feels like we are in the midst of an arctic tundra, we still got to have fun, don’t we?

Alyssa
Pilsen, Chicago
Contributor, LoveforChicago.com
Instagram: @lyss_lou