Editor’s note: This roundup originally published in January 2020. Find updated heated Chicago patio options here.
It’s the season of plastic, see-through igloos in Chicago. Winter might be miserable here, but plenty of bars and restaurants embrace, or rather, exploit the cold temperatures and welcome those too stubborn to stay indoors. See-through igloos, fire pits, hot cocktails, ice curling rinks and weather-dependent discounts will entice people to bundle up and linger outside. You can also enjoy the views from rooftops and patios that have been sealed up for the season if you prefer to hang up your coat and keep the dream of summer alive. There’s no need to hibernate when you can head to one of these 30 spots extending the season for outdoor dining.
Apogee. Warm up around a 3-by-6-foot fire pit outside the River North rooftop cocktail bar. 2 W. Erie St., 312-202-6060, apogeechicago.com
Barcocina. Groups of up to 12 people can book a two-hour food and drink package for brunch or dinner in one of the Lakeview spot’s heated igloos. You can also warm up at the surrounding fire pits. 2901 N. Sheffield Ave., 773-687-9949, barcocinachicago.com
Beatnik on the River. The 80-seat riverfront patio uses daybeds, lanterns and plants to create a tropical vibe even during winter. 180 N. Wacker Drive, 312-526-3345, beatnikontheriver.com
More Top Picks Best Desk Chairs For Students
Beatnik West Town. Enjoy the sight of the sun streaming through the glass rooftop and reflecting off the massive crystal chandeliers hanging in the restaurant’s atrium while you sit under an umbrella and sip a slushie. 1604 W. Chicago Ave. 312-929-4945, beatnikchicago.com
The Boiler Room. On sunny days, you can enjoy the natural light pouring into the heated, covered patio, which is decorated with string lights and plants. You can also warm up around a gas fireplace. 2210 N. California Ave., 773-276-5625, boilerroomlogansquare.com
Boleo. Enjoy a shareable cocktail and live Latin music at the Financial District bar, where a retractable glass roof provides views of the sky. 122 W. Monroe St., 312-750-9007, boleochicago.com
Cabra. The garage doors that flank the Fulton Market rooftop restaurant close during winter to keep the space warm, though you can still take in the views along with Peruviuan-inspired cocktails and ceviche. 200 N. Green St. 312-761-1717, cabrachicago.com
Celeste. The River North bar’s rooftop has been enclosed and filled with tropical plants and will host special events including acoustic performances and themed parties. 111 W. Hubbard St., 312-828-9000, celestechicago.com
Cerise. Rent one of two heated domes with space for six people on the rooftop bar. Reservations are required and must be made for at least two hours. 203 N. Wabash Ave., 312-940-4774, virginhotels.com
Dark Horse Tap & Grille. Grab a spot at the large communal table and watch sports on nine HDTVs at the Lakeview bar’s beer garden, which is fully enclosed and heated during winter. 3443 N. Sheffield Ave., 773-248-4400, darkhorsechicago.com
D.S. Tequila Co. The Boystown bar’s patio is a party destination throughout winter, when its retractable roof and doors are sealed up. 3352 N. Halsted St. 773-697-9127, dstequila.com
Frontier. The West Town spot’s beer garden is open year-round, featuring high-top tables, its own bar and a lounge with a fireplace. 1072 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773-772-4322, thefrontierchicago.com
The Gwen Hotel. Book 30 minutes at the iceless curling rink and alpine-inspired cabin equipped with heaters and an outdoor fire table for $25 per person, which includes a specialty cocktail. 521 N. Rush St., 312-645-1500, thegwenchicago.com
I|O Godfrey. The rooftop bar features heated igloos filled with blankets and plush furniture that seats two to 10 people. You can also make the most of the weather with firepits (where you can roast s’mores), a fireplace, a snow machine and hot cocktails made tableside. 127 W. Huron St., 312-374-1830, iogodfrey.com
The J. Parker. Take in the view of Lake Michigan from Hotel Lincoln’s rooftop bar, which offers both indoor and outdoor seats. 1816 N. Clark St., 312-254-4747, jparkerchicago.com
Joy District. The River North bar turns its rooftop into a winter wonderland, setting up three igloos with space for 15 or 25 to hang out at a faux fire pit, with blankets available. Igloos can be booked with a food and beverage minimum starting at $500, which you can fulfill by ordering from a menu featuring seasonal cocktails, such as the Winter Mule made with gin, lemon juice, apple cider and ginger beer ($14), and a milk and cookies cart, featuring sugar cookies you can decorate with frosting and sprinkles ($12 per person). 112 W. Hubbard St., 312-955-0339, joychicago.com
Kaiser Tiger. Test your skills at one of three ice curling rinks set up in the West Town spot’s beer garden, where up to four people can play for $40 per 30 minutes. Between games, you can enjoy hot whiskey cocktails and s’mores. 1415 W. Randolph St., 312-243-3100, kaisertiger.com
La Josie. The West Loop restaurant encloses its rooftop to keep the space open all year. 740 W. Randolph St., 312-929-2900, lajosie.com
Next of Kin. Groups of eight to 10 can rent a heated patio dome for two hours for $200, $175 of which will be applied to your food and drink bill. You can play your own music using a Bluetooth speaker. 625 Davis St., Evanston, 847-563-8242, nextofkin.restaurant
Offshore. Billed as the world’s largest rooftop bar, the new spot at Navy Pier features a fully retractable glass enclosure so it can stay open year-round. 1000 E. Grand Ave., 312-535-6660, drinkoffshore.com
More Top Picks Best Beard Trimmer
Porto. The brand new West Town seafood restaurant features an atrium with a retractable roof and sliding windows. Large groups are welcome at the communal tables, where they can enjoy the coziness created by a wood-burning oven. 1600 W. Chicago Ave., 312-600-6338, portochicago.com
Raised, an Urban Rooftop Bar. The Loop spot has transformed for winter into a ski-themed lodge dubbed Apres This Way, decked out with faux furs, birch trees, lanterns and pillows to keep things cozy. 1 W. Upper Wacker Drive, 312-795-3444, raisedbarchicago.com
ROOF on theWit. The hotel’s recently renovated bar on the 27th floor features a patio with a retractable roof and a wall showcasing colorful digital art that changes throughout the day and night. 201 N. State St., 312-239-9502, roofonthewit.com
Saint Lou’s Assembly. Sip a hot toddy while sitting at one of the picnic tables at the Fulton River District spot’s enclosed patio. 664 W. Lake St., 312-600-0600, saintlouschicago.com
Stella Barra Pizzeria. The Lincoln Park restaurant’s courtyard has a retractable roof to let in sunshine during the summer, but during winter you can warm up near the 6-foot fireplace. 1954 N. Halsted St., 773-634-4101, stellabarra.com/chicago
SX Sky Bar. Get cozy in one of the South Loop lounge’s plush loveseats and take in views of the city through the retractable glass wall. 808 S. Michigan Ave., 773-633-0214, sxskybar.com
Tareaux Tavern. Bring your pooch along to dine at the Loop restaurant’s heated pergola, where 72 people can sit beneath a canopy adorned with string lights and lanterns. 155 W. Van Buren St., 312-624-8778, taureauxtavern.com
Utopian Tailgate. The massive Old Town rooftop bar has set up glamping tents equipped with heaters and enclosed part of its outside space to keep it warm. Dine outside when it’s 30 degrees or less and you’ll get 30 percent off all regularly priced food and drinks including winter warmers like the Nuttin But a Hound Dog, a blend of peanut butter, whiskey, banana, butterscotch, hot cocoa and whipped cream ($13). 1608 N. Wells St. 312-210-7799, utopiantailgate.com
Village Tap. The craft beer-focused Roscoe Village bar seals up the retractable roof on its beer garden during winter. A fireplace helps keep things toasty. 2055 W. Roscoe St., 773-883-0817, villagetap.com
VU Rooftop Bar. Grab a seat on one of the couches around the new South Loop spot’s firepits or reserve space in one of the igloos set up for winter. 133 E. Cermak Road, 312-528-0191, vurooftop.com
Samantha Nelson is a freelance writer.