The weather has turned on us. It’s cold. It’s wet. It’s not like San Diego. But then again, it gets like this every year – we just seem to live in a dream world each year until the cold weather hits … then we complain. And then again, I realize many of you hail from places far and wide and can only laugh when my fellow native San Diegans and I complain about 55 degrees being cold.

Is it just me, or do you find it hard to leave the house when the thermometer drops? I have found myself several times in the last few weeks being extremely comfortable in my house – not wanting to even think about stepping outside. It seems like such a hassle to put on a jacket, scarf, gloves and the like, just to take them all off when I get inside a bar. But since I can’t hibernate every winter, I don my best scarf and coat, and head out!

I have a couple of favorite winter warming spots. I find myself hitting these spots more often in the winter months than I do at other times of the year. One of my favorite places to heat things up is the Red Fox Room at the Lafayette Hotel and Suites in North Park. This old relic of San Diego past is as “hot” as ever, with a mix of hipsters and old timers. This windowless bar and steakhouse serves up lots of red meat, great cocktails and entertainment to customers seated in burgundy vinyl booths, at cocktail tables or the bar. Live entertainment on Friday and Saturday includes a great selection of big band music – but this isn’t your grandmother’s bar! As I said, the crowd is a diverse mix. There really is nothing else like it! The Red Fox Room is located at 2223 El Cajon Blvd. Check out www.lafayettehotelsd.com for more information.

Martinis Above Fourth is another one of my favorite holiday spots. The indoor-outdoor restaurant, bar and lounge offers plenty of indoor seating (although the outdoor area is enclosed and heated with heat lamps). The martinis and other cocktails are tasty, and if food is on your mind, MA4 is a full-service restaurant. There is nightly entertainment and occasional special events, including “A Very Babette Christmas,” which is running this weekend, Dec. 15-17. The usual crowd and wait staff is an attractive bunch, and maybe the man of your dreams will be at MA4 – no more cold, lonely nights for you! Martinis Above Fourth is located at 3940 Fourth Ave. (take the elevator to the second floor). Visit www.martinisabovefourth.com for more information.

Finally, Bamboo Lounge is currently on my “Top Friends” list of favorite places. In fact, Bamboo Lounge has a MySpace profile, and it really is on my top friends list right now. The transformation of the former tea-shop to an upscale lounge took place some time ago, but if you have not yet checked it out, you are missing out! Bamboo Lounge offers an extensive wine list, appetizers, plush seating areas, a VIP room available for special events and a beautiful outdoor patio (they have heaters). Bamboo Lounge certainly is a cozy place to start off an evening or spend a cold winter’s night. Bamboo Lounge is located at 1475 University Ave. Visit www.bambooloungesd.com for more information.

And of course don’t forget about my boys at Bacchus House on Friday nights! They definitely steam the place up!

Keep reading Bar Fly for all the happenings around town! In my next column, I will talk about some of the hottest places around to town to “see and be seen” on New Years Eve. And following that column will be my annual Bar Fly’s year in review.

Stay warm, be safe, and enjoy this holiday season!