^ yeah, i kind of like it too, in a weird way.

it's not my go-to or anything, but if a celebratory round of malort is in the offing, i certainly don't cringe the way that many do.

that's like 4 glasses of wine there... :yuck:

In the winterized bubbles, yes.

^Lol very chic

This isn't quite right - the total minimum per person is $85 - $25 booking fee plus a $60 minimum tab This from the website:

NOW ACCEPTING RESERVATIONS FOR OUR FALL 2018 RIVER DOMES!
Fall 2018 Season: October 10th - December 16th

River Dome reservations provide you & your guests 2.5 hours in this intimate, climate controlled, one-of-a-kind setting along the Chicago Riverwalk. All dome reservations are approximately $85/guest - including a $25 non-refundable rental fee per person, and a $60 food and beverage minimum spend per guest. Please note: all river dome guests must be 21 years of age or older.

^ That's pretty damn expensive to just sit there and drink.

I'd rather go to a bar that has nice views

Okay, so I arranged for one of the domes last November for a birthday celebration. I think there were 8-9 of us. It was pricey, but fun. Cold as hell outside, but cozy in. Drank, ate, giggled. The domes are tricked out nicely with sofa's, chairs, blankets. hipster hygge vibe. It was great for a small birthday get together.

We’ve got those. It’s a thing I guess.

https://secretldn.com/wp-content/upl...pa-740x431.jpg

Quasi-Scandinavian hygge is very trendy.

I guess it's for some people....

For me, I'd rather spend that much on:

A very high quality live show or sporting event (Wrigley or a Bulls game)
A very nice restaurant
A cruise within the city

Definitely much better bang for the buck than sitting around in a plastic dome drinking beer

Sorry to bemoan the subject, but look at it this way: $25 to get into the dome and $60 bucks on booze that you would have spent at any other bar in the city. My take is that it's a good draw for tourists and I'm happy to have the domes there.

Chicago could try and embrace the chill. On a recent vacation to Norway, my wife and I sat outside in upper 30s because the bar had heated lamps and hide rugs on the chairs. It was like apres-ski but without the ski component. Are there bars or restaurants that offer this kind of experience here?

Malort and Old Style (aka the Chicago handshake) is one of the few things aggressive enough to warm me up on a freezing, polar vortex riddled February night. :)

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C6kiJS-XUAA_byK.jpg
Source: Neogaf.com

I'm with you guys. I definitely will have a malort at a bar as a shot if others are interested.

Maybe a Lower Wacker sauna and a quick dip in the river while you're at it?

I was in Milwaukee back in January and there is a bar at the Public Market that had their outdoor bar open. Heat lamps, free flowing beer, tipsy bartender and a couple of die hard jolly patrons. I would love that in Chicago.

I have made guests try it, but it's gross

free flowing beer or free, flowing beer? I'd take the latter in a heartbeat. ;)

Ironically the founder of Colectivo Coffee recently pointed out that Chicagoans are much more likely to use Colectivo’s outdoor patios in winter than Milwaukeeans. I don’t know if because Chicagoans are hardier, or because there’s such a fierce competition for seats at the Lakeview, Logan Square cafes that people are forced to sit outside.

https://blockclubchicago.org/2018/09...-park-is-next/

haha try berliners--they'll sit outside for dinner in december with thin blanket and and a weak heatlamp. germans are crazy.

I’m with you on the restaurant. I think pro sports events are overrated (especially the NBA), and other than the CAF tour I can’t think of a cruise that I would even entertain the idea of taking.

Also $85 isn’t much if you’re spending any real amount of time in a bar and drinking more than beer. It won’t get you that far on wine or even cocktails.