Ten Chicago bars confirmed open on December 25 — the rooms editors actually go to when the family lunch is over.
Christmas Day is the hardest reservation in the bar calendar. Most of Chicago closes; the rooms that stay open are the ones run by people who do not have anywhere else to be. Our editors spent three Decembers calling managers to confirm hours, double-checking on December 24, and crossing off every venue that uses 'open' loosely. These are the ten Chicago bars our editors trust to be pouring on Christmas Day.
Where the editors drink on Christmas Day in Chicago
The first six picks below are the editors' default — the rooms we send a friend to first when they ask. Each is followed by a recommendation we have ordered ourselves at least three times. Click any bar name to read the full review, signature drink notes, neighbourhood guide and how to book.
Three Dots and a Dash (in River North) the three dots mai tai is on the menu year-round for a reason, and the bartenders pour with intent. the kitchen runs a short Christmas Day menu and the cocktail list rotates a Christmas pour onto the menu from late November. Editors' rating in our database: 4.7 of 5.
Billy Sunday (in Logan Square) the door is unmarked enough to feel discovered and known enough to be reliable. the kitchen runs a short Christmas Day menu and the cocktail list rotates a Christmas pour onto the menu from late November. Editors' rating in our database: 4.7 of 5.
Lost Lake (in Logan Square) the room is what it should be — quiet without being precious, busy without being a queue. the room turns down the lights and turns up the warmth on Christmas afternoon — quiet, cosy, no theatre. Editors' rating in our database: 4.7 of 5.
At The Violet Hour in Wicker Park, the juliet & romeo is on the menu year-round for a reason, and the bartenders pour with intent. the December 25 hours are confirmed and the staff who work the day genuinely want to be there. Editors' rating in our database: 4.7 of 5.
In Gold Coast, Sparrow the door is unmarked enough to feel discovered and known enough to be reliable. the December 25 hours are confirmed and the staff who work the day genuinely want to be there. Editors' rating in our database: 4.7 of 5.
Lazy Bird sits in West Loop, and the door is unmarked enough to feel discovered and known enough to be reliable. the room turns down the lights and turns up the warmth on Christmas afternoon — quiet, cosy, no theatre. Editors' rating in our database: 4.6 of 5.
Order: Bird's Word
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These last four are the editors' deeper-cut picks. Smaller rooms, more specific energy. If the first six feel obvious to you — meaning you have already been — start here.
At Sportsman's Club in Ukrainian Village, the sportsman highball arrives in a coupe and the bar staff move at the right pace. the kitchen runs a short Christmas Day menu and the cocktail list rotates a Christmas pour onto the menu from late November. Editors' rating in our database: 4.6 of 5.
Scofflaw (in Logan Square) the scofflaw cocktail is on the menu year-round for a reason, and the bartenders pour with intent. the December 25 hours are confirmed and the staff who work the day genuinely want to be there. Editors' rating in our database: 4.6 of 5.
Kumiko sits in West Loop, and the kumiko sour is on the menu year-round for a reason, and the bartenders pour with intent. the kitchen runs a short Christmas Day menu and the cocktail list rotates a Christmas pour onto the menu from late November. Editors' rating in our database: 4.8 of 5.
At The Aviary in West Loop, the in the rocks arrives in a coupe and the bar staff move at the right pace. the room turns down the lights and turns up the warmth on Christmas afternoon — quiet, cosy, no theatre. Editors' rating in our database: 4.8 of 5.
Order: In the Rocks
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Three Christmas Day rules. Call the day before to reconfirm — even venues with published hours sometimes close last-minute. Tip cash, the staff are giving up their own day. And book the early slot, not the late one — the kitchen usually closes by 9pm even at venues that say they are open until midnight.
Other seasonal Chicago guidesFrom New Year's Eve to Halloween - every annual Chicago occasion our editors cover, cross-linked.
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