A pinnacle midwest winter consists of hot chocolate, snow and a fireplace to snuggle up to.
With our guide to local bars and restaurants with fireplaces, booze, beer and brats are all dished and poured next to a crackling flame. Stay warm, full and quenched this winter and let us show you the way.
Written by Charlie Tinkle & Vinny Corsaro
Fletcher Place / 702 Virginia Ave
Pull up to the giant fireplace in the middle of the bar and grab a hot cider, spiked with whatever booze you prefer. Nothing will warm you up faster than that wonderful winter combo. Hotel Tango is cozy and rustic, yet spacious enough to fit large parties and not feel crowded. They even have free popcorn and other snacks for you to buy while you hang out.
Meridian-Kessler / 5694 N Meridian St
Is there a better depiction of the holidays than a snow-covered cabin with smoke billowing from the chimney? This is winter at the Meridian. While the building was originally built in the 1800s, the menu is distinctly modern, which has mussels, duck legs and bucatini.
SoBro / 1031 E 54th St
If the homey atmosphere wasn't enough to draw you in from the cold, Mama Carolla's was also named Indy's Best Local Italian Restaurant as well as one of its Top 50 Most Romantic Restaurants. So order a bottle of wine and some homemade pasta and enjoy a little sample of Italy in Indy.
Broad Ripple / 842 E 65th St
Grab a craft beer and relax in Indy's oldest brewery. The dark-paneled wood and old style fireplace create a warm and inviting setting. Come and enjoy a hot meal on a cold night, or just grab a few drinks and catch up with old friends. With a variety of drinks and large vegan menu, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Wholesale District / 123 Illinois St
Located inside the Le Meridien is Spoke & Steele. Greg Hardesty's menu inspirations makes for modern food and drink in an upscale yet relaxed setting in downtown. The bartenders and chefs are passionate and creative, so don't hesitate to stop in for one of their signature cocktails and a snack before a night on the town.
Eastwood / 5014 E 62nd St
While Blind Owl may be known for its outdoor patio area, the inside bar becomes a quaint and comfortable place to down a beer during the winter. The open and spacious bar becomes a little cozier with the lights dimmed and fireplace roaring.
Mass Ave / 401 E Michigan St
What's better comfort food than a hearty German meal? The Rathskeller has a giant menu of authentic German beer and food. While the restaurant seems huge from the outside, don't let it fool you. Once you pass the bar, you are led to small dining rooms where you can dine and drink in the comfort of friends and family.
SoBro / 5902 N College Ave
Whether you're looking for a quick lunch or a nightcap, you can sit down in Binkley's and be sure to have a great experience. They have a huge menu of drinks and jazzed up American food. They even offer fireplaces on either side of the restaurant, so you're sure to get the ambiance you're looking for.
Keystone / 2602 Ruth Drive
With its pasta, veal, espresso and negronis, Capri is about as authentic Italian as it gets these days. The food is fantastic, the atmosphere is wonderful, and, to top it all off, they have a large fireplace nestled in the corner of the bar. Come in, sit in one of their lounge-style seats, and beat the cold with a bottle of wine this winter.
Downtown / 127 Illinois St
Everyone knows St. Elmo's has some of the best steaks in the city, but people often forget that the 1933 Lounge, the upstairs cocktail bar, offers one of the best places to catch a pre- or post-dinner drink. Grab an old fashioned, order some sliders, and listen to live music upstairs. Unlike the sit-down atmosphere below, people here are trying to dance and move around. One of winter's perfect spots!
Check out our list of Indy's 50 best restaurants HERE!
