There hasn't been much to complain about with this winter's weather. But even with this mild, gray season we seek the comfort of a fireplace. As fireplace veterans, here are eight of our favorites around town.
1. Broken Shaker
Where: Freehand Chicago Hotel, 19 E Ohio
What to expect: This hip bar serves up some tasty noshes and stiff artisan cocktails, but the fireplace is the centerpiece of the room.
Nearby developments: Broken Shaker is smack dab in the middle of some of the busiest developments in downtown and River North. Beacon Capital's repositioning of 515 N State St is less than a minute's walk away.
2. The Dawson
Where: 732 W Grand
What to expect: Multiple fireplaces are dotted throughout this sprawling bar and restaurant in River West, including an outdoor pit that has proven very popular the past couple of winters.
Nearby developments: The Dawson is steps from the Grand Avenue Blue Line station, which is the epicenter of several hot TOD projects, including Akara Partners' $70M mixed-use development at 500 N Milwaukee. Expect that building to be delivered in spring.
3. The Drawing Room
Where: Chicago Athletic Association Hotel, 12 S Michigan
What to expect: Enjoy coffee during the day and cocktails at night in the CAA's second-floor lobby fireplace. The fireplace mantel is one of the best in the city and gives the room a university or private club feel.
Nearby developments: Its Michigan Avenue location means The Drawing Room is steps from some of the hottest action happening downtown.
4. The Gage
Where: 24 S Michigan
What to expect: The Gage is one of the best gastropubs in Chicago and the fireplace makes for a great warming station before or after a brisk ice skate at Millennium Park or the Maggie Daley ice ribbon.
Nearby developments: The Gage is also near all that Michigan Avenue activity, as well as North Harbor Tower, which Crescent Heights is considering acquiring.
5. The Grafton
Where: 4530 N Lincoln
What to expect: This Irish pub in Lincoln Square boasts what may be our favorite fireplace in town. The hearth is deep, spacious and emits tons of heat.
Nearby developments: Follow the Brown Line south to the Paulina stop, where Centrum Partners is building a 36-unit TOD.
6. Moody's Pub
Where: 5910 N Broadway
What to expect: This Edgewater bar boasts a cozy hearth and one of Chicago's best hamburgers.
Nearby developments: Moody's is a short walk from some of Cedar St's Flats Chicago apartment developments including 5411 N Winthrop, where Cedar St's late co-founder Jay Michael kept a residence.
7. Ten Cat
Where: 3931 N Ashland
What to expect: This gas fireplace doesn't give off the warmth of others on this list, but it has loads of character and fits in with the back den vibe of this Lakeview tavern.
Nearby developments: Ten Cat is a decent watering hole before or after Cubs games, and if you haven't seen the progress of the Ricketts family's Wrigley Field renovations, you should check it out.
8. The Violet Hour
Where: 1520 N Damen
What to expect: The Violet Hour was one of the first, and still best, upscale cocktail bars around. The fireplace here is an integral part of the bar's salon vibe.
Nearby developments: The Violet Hour is in the middle of Wicker Park's competitive and changing retail corridor, which is now a mix of trendy names and local boutiques seeking prime space for your consumer dollar.
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