When You Need To Get Away

You love your family like a fat kid loves Krispy Kreme, but you can handle only so much of them on Christmas.

So just in case you need something stronger than that home-made spiked egg nog or box wine, I've compiled a list of bars open Dec. 25:

Butch McGuire's: You'll still be in the Christmas spirit at this long-time Division Street watering hole that takes the holiday pretty serious. It's all decked out in seasonal splendor, with tinsel and trains choo-chooing all over the space. Surprisingly, the spot is full around 6pm, likely with those like-minded folks trying to escape. And touristy types.

Carol's Pub: Hellraisers and holiday departees converge at this rowdy North Side bar specializing in twangy, country tunes. Also open late night, Carol's is dirt cheap and whiskey driven.

Delilah's: Speaking of whiskey, the largest selection of bourbon in the Midwest can be found at this punk rock Lincoln Park pub. For the special occasion, they're doing $3 Genesee cream ale pints and $3 Benchmark bourbon. DJ Vinyl Richie spins and get there at 6pm to watch Xmas horror, Sci-Fi classic, Christmas Evil.

Lobby Lounge at ShowPlace Icon Theatre: Surprisingly the South Loop movie theater's open all day Christmas, noon-11pm. That means the lounge is also open for those who need a drink before or after the show. And for those who do it up VIP style, you can dine and drink in your movie seats.

Longman & Eagle: Logan Square's favorite whiskey bar and eatery opens at 6pm Christmas with a limited menu of bar snacks and burgers.

Lottie's: The annual Rock and Roll Christmas Party begins at 4pm with food specials, Xmas music, $3.50 Newcastle bottles and $5 Santa Bomb cocktails. There will also be a raffle for a new Fender guitar at the end of the 7:20pm Bears vs. Packers game.

The Matchbox: And you'll be squeezing in tight if you head to this tiny bar on the edge of West Town. Matchbox is another one of those places that's decorated in Christmas fab yearround, but anything's better than a bunch of nagging relatives.