Honey Butter Beach Club (inside Lincoln Park’s SPF pickleball club) has even more motivation to use these indoor months to perfect your dink shot—an excellent lobster roll special. The sandwich, available only Friday through Sunday, has buttery lobster chunks, scallion mayo, and brioche bread. So it's creamier, sweeter, and more filling than your typical lobster roll. Think of it as a tasty trophy instead of pre-match fuel.

Sure, “Take-out and binging Traitors” works for date night. But for some winter romance without having to compete with Alan Cumming’s charm, head to Le Mistral. Hidden behind the kitchen of S.K.Y., it feels more like a sexy Lincoln Park cave than a wine bar. The robust drink list makes it easy to linger while snacking on truffle croquettes and whispering sweet nothings.

Novelty is especially important when daylight disappears before the workday ends—the one-of-a-kind drinks and live performances at Lemon can help. This West Town bar and music venue has resurrected cocktails all over its menu, and the calendar is a mix of eclectic jazz, hip-hop, folk, and way beyond. Discover what made the Absinthe Suissesse so popular back in 1900, or see if your cuffing-season catch is stretching the truth when they say they love "all types of music."

If your Spotify Wrapped last year was somehow all AI-generated music, this cozy Bridgeport listening bar can help heal your cursed algorithm. The usual rotation blasting out of their fantastic sound system is a mix of funk, Motown, and R&B records, and the Old Style memorabilia makes it feel like a Midwestern basement. Unsurprisingly, they do serve beer, but don’t skip the fantastic cocktails.

It doesn't matter when you visit Bar Tutto, an all-day cafe in Fulton Market from the Rose Mary team. Just plan on staying a while. The daytime bombolinis, work-friendly seating, and giant windows will make you want to spend a couple of extra hours doing the human version of photosynthesis. And when it gets dark, the place becomes a buzzy dinner spot for al dente fusilli and Nebbiolo-fueled dinners.

Noodles Party is a technicolor Thai spot that balances out the shades of gray Chicago wears during this time of year. And along with a fun meal that lives up to the restaurant’s name, the draw is the weekly changing menu of delicious soups. Between multiple visits, we’ve had their khao soi, rolled noodles in five-spice broth, and duck soup—all of which we’d fill a hot tub with if we could. They make their weekly menu announcement on Facebook, so now’s a good time to reactivate your account.

Mom's Place is a two-story River North karaoke bar that’s an off-key sing-along destination year-round. But singing in a packed room with a live band—only on Mondays and Tuesdays—is even more important when your all your friends who moved to Florida refuse to visit until after Memorial Day. Just know that Moms' crowd is dedicated. They'll join you on every note of “Everybody Wants to Rule the World,” but also pay the band $20 to get ahead of you in the rotation.

We’ve found a reason to emerge from your heated blanket cocoons on the worst weekday. Every Monday, Sharpies has wings for $1 a pop. And these aren’t tiny bites of bird. They’re jumbo specimens that are delicious whether they’re covered in lemon pepper seasoning or buffalo sauce, or naked in all their crispy battered glory. But if you don’t want to tackle a mountain of chicken with some friends, Sharpies’ also has great Detroit-style pizza and refreshing neon cocktails.

Don't lose momentum on the novel you finally started reading. Head to Wilde Bar and Restaurant, which has two fireplaces (one surrounded by a mini library) that are perfect for getting deeply acquainted with that horny thriller everyone loved back in 2022. Either fireplace pairs nicely with an expertly poured Guinness and their fish and chips.

After getting a dose of vegetation at the Garfield Park Conservatory with 500 other people who also miss seeing leaves, head to Cerdito Muerto. The candlelit Pilsen tavern has only 30 seats, and the menu is full of great Mexican comfort food. Like the hamburguesa, which has a nice kick from a chorizo patty, and is a perfect reward for not accidentally stepping on any plants.

Marz goes above and beyond its local brewery duties. First, it doubles as the home of Taco Sublime, which means you can pair a tasty pint of Jungle Boogie with excellent tacos blanketed in griddled cheese or one of the city’s best burgers. And with a spacious arcade room and regular trivia, loteria, and puzzle nights, Marz has plenty of fun activities when you and your couch need some time apart.