Lost Lake

Lost Lake opened in the Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago in January 2015. It is a partnership between Paul McGee, formerly of Three Dots and a Dash

Three Dots and a Dash

Chicago, IL

Bar & Restaurant

8.6

, and development group Land and Sea Dept. Martin Cate, owner of Smuggler's Cove

, is also involved in Lost Lake, particularly helping with their selection of sipping rums. Its design is less tiki, and more of a nod to the early, streamlined bamboo-focused era of Polynesian Pop escapism. Colorful fish floats hang in the front window, and one whole wall is wallpapered with a bold banana leaf motif. Fish trap lamps wrap the bar area, and the canted ceiling is covered with lauhala and bamboo. There is green vinyl booth seating toward the back, and a rock wall. The beverage program has been developed by McGee, with a mix of classic tropical cocktails and his own inventions. Land and Sea Dept. also own the connected upscale Chinese take-out restaurant, called Thank You. In late March 2016, a small electrical fire forced Lost Lake to close for a few weeks for cleaning and repairs.

Comments

NeilSmith

NeilSmith has visited Lost Lake.

September 23, 2017, 11:16 AM

I visited Lost Lake twice whilst on my Chicago vacation, the first time my Wife and I visited, we had already been to Three Dots and a Dash so had already had a couple of cocktails, it was early evening on the Saturday night at Lost Lake and was able to get two seats at the bar, the Bartender was excellent, my Wife had a Lost Lake and I had a Banana Daiquiri the drinks were good, however I think the Bar Manager could have made so much more effort, we picked up Mugs, Glasses and a few swizzles. On our second visit on the Monday we went just after opening, the Bar Tender seemed disinterested. I was very disappointed, and thought I'd wasted my money on the Uber to get there.

tikiglees

tikiglees has visited Lost Lake.

July 30, 2017, 2:40 PM

Visited on Saturday night... arrived just in time as it was a full house by the time we left. extremely well crafted drinks and served us off the menu as well - service with a bit of an attitude but still fun. Great time - its only a few years old, but feels like the bar has been there for decades

GeekyTiki

GeekyTiki is a semi-regular at Lost Lake.

May 29, 2017, 7:42 PM

Full disclosure: Lost Lake is one of my favorite places in the world so take this review with a grain of salt. The drinks are amazing and the staff is always willing to offer recommendations or venture off menu if you're really itching for a classic drink that isn't on the menu. I know they sometimes get knocked points for lack of Tikis or music that may stray into Tiki-adjacent styles rather than strictly Exotica (you'll hear Martin Denny, but might hear some Desmond Dekker too which isn't really anything to complain about), Most of all, Lost Lake and Paul McGee are very much aiming for the same kind of "explorer's/adventurer's bar at the edge of the unknown" that Don and Vic were trying to recreate and they are succeeding. Those of us who suffer through Chicago winters will always be thankful for this little island of escape.

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