Winter is a great time to explore the city’s neighborhoods, with seasonal activities popping up everywhere from Jefferson Park to Andersonville. Try sipping on a mug of glogg, browsing Polish holiday albums or sampling seasonally spiced sushi–after all, winter’s not going anywhere, so you might as well get out of the house.
Chinatown
Forget Starbucks: Create your own hot-drink haven at home by picking up imported teas from Chinatown’s Ten Ren Tea and Ginseng Company. In addition to offering more than 50 varieties of traditional tea, the shop also stocks up on seasonal flavors. Recent additions for the winter include the bold “winter tea” and the smoky-tasting “Pu-Erh” tea. 2247 S. Wentworth Ave. 312-842-1171.
Bronzeville
Steer clear of the mallrats this season and head to this historic hood for the 47th Street Market Place (47th Street and Martin Luther King Drive), an enclosed bazaar where you’ll find tons of health food shops, book stores and art galleries. Our favorite stops include the Afrocentric Bookstore (4655 S. King Drive, 773-924-3966), which stocks fiction from authors including Zora Neale Hurston and Toni Morrison, along with artwork from Ghana and Senegal, and The Spoken Word Cafe (4655 S. King Drive, 773-373-2233), which offers a cozy fireplace and open-mic sessions (7 p.m.-midnight Saturdays).
Jefferson Park
Polish and English speakers alike will appreciate the offerings at Polonia Book Store, which includes an impressive selection of books in both languages. Browse the texts, films and music, then check out the live piano music (noon-3 p.m. Saturdays) as you sit by the wood-burning fireplace with a free cup of joe. 4738 N. Milwaukee Ave. 773-481-6968.
Lincoln Square
We’ll never stop loving a good Irish brew, but in the wintertime, nothing beats a hot cocktail–and we especially love the ones at The Grafton. Naturally, staples like Irish coffee grace the menu here, but our fave has to be The Grafton Special, a concoction of Baileys Irish Cream, Frangelico, Irish whiskey and coffee, topped with fresh whipped cream ($6). 4530 N. Lincoln Ave. 773-271-9000.
The Loop
If the only thing German you’ve had this year is a shot of Jagermeister, go soak up some culture at the Christkindlmarket, an outdoor German bazaar featuring more than 70 food and gift booths. Feast on schnitzel and sip on Gluhwein (a hot, spiced red wine) while you browse the displays of holiday ornaments, hand-knit sweaters and wooden nutcrackers. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays; 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays. Through Dec. 22. Free. 50 W. Washington St. 312-644-2662.
Lakeview
Aching for a vacation when the weather turns frigid? If you can’t spring for a ticket outta town, at least make an Italian escape at Fuga, a European spa. Get greeted at the door with a free glass of wine or cappuccino, then slough off winter skin with a sugar rub (30 min. for $40) or get toasty with the hot stone massage (60 min. for $95; 90 min. for $120). Bellissima! 3853 N. Southport Ave. 773-880-1280.
Ukrainian Village
Chopin Theatre has served as an artistic centerpiece for the Polish community since it opened in 1918. Get in the holiday mood with “A Christmas Carol” (through Dec. 23, check metromix.com for days and times; $15-$25) or check out the international theater troupes passing through the main stage during most weekends. 1543 W. Division St. 773-278-1500.
Rogers Park
Now in its 23rd season, the Raven Theatre showcases classic and contemporary stage shows on both its main stage (150 seats) and smaller-scale west stage (60 seats). Don’t miss “The Santaland Diaries,” an adaptation of David Sedaris’ cheeky, hilarious essay about working as a department store Christmas elf. Through Jan. 8 (check metromix.com for days and times). $20. 6157 N. Clark St. 773-338-2177.
