Three Dots and a Dash

Comments about Three Dots and a Dash

Kimberry226

Kimberry226 is a semi-regular at Three Dots and a Dash.

October 13, 2018, 7:12 PM

This is very trendy and polished night club, to me this is not a tiki bar. The drinks are amazing and the presentation is WOW!!! But the vibe is a club with very loud music. Every time I had gone is on a sat. Night . My friend said he had been during the week and it’s a whole different vibe. If u go make reservations or you will wait a very long time.

JimNeumayer

JimNeumayer has visited Three Dots and a Dash.

October 13, 2018, 5:38 AM

Three Dots and a Dash is one of the best tiki bars in the
country! While it is a new take on tiki, it does not
disappoint. The entrance is located in an alley in downtown
Chicago, then you descend into the basement as you walk
under the wall of skulls above you, you just left the cares
of the world behind you. The first thing that will impress
you is the quality of service from everyone, from the door-
man to the bartenders! But then the drinks, from the
creative tiki mugs (some are for sale) to the quality of
drinks will amaze you. Be sure to try the signature drink,
Three Dots and a Dash. The presentation on all the drinks
is over the top. We visited all the tiki bars in the Chicago
area on a recent Mid West tiki pub crawl, and enjoyed them
all, but Three Dots and a Dash quickly became our “hometown “ bar! A must visit!

testtrack321

testtrack321 has visited Three Dots and a Dash.

September 17, 2018, 7:32 PM

Does it have a club atmosphere? Yes. But it is still tiki at heart, sort of like when a horror movie is also a comedy. The drinks are good, some of the decisions are odd, not going to lie, but they're all good to great. And the food, on the food, it is fantastic. The pu-pu platter is amazing.

miss_hilda

miss_hilda has visited Three Dots and a Dash.

August 30, 2018, 12:55 PM

Closed earlier than time indicated online

Gotta Love the Mai Tai

Gotta Love the Mai Tai has visited Three Dots and a Dash.

August 24, 2018, 4:54 PM

Great Tiki bar. Drinks and service excellent. I suggest making. A reservation as this is a very popular and fun spot. It is a must when visiting Chicago.

GeekyTiki

GeekyTiki is a semi-regular at Three Dots and a Dash.

August 21, 2018, 2:11 PM

Its been awhile since I last reviewed Three Dots so I thought I would offer an updated critique.

A lot of the comments tend to point out that Three Dots is 1) Loud and 2) BUSY. Both of these are unfortunately true. In the last year and a half Three Dots has seen increased popularity due the various articles written about it which means that nights that used to be typically slower are oftentimes busy now. There really isn't a way around the crowds anymore. It is in the most touristy area of Chicago (just off Michigan Ave.) and is also surrounded by numerous office buildings. This location means that from opening to around 7 on weekdays you have to contend with the after work crowd and all other times it is overrun with tourist traffic. The music is typically aimed at whatever the patron demographic is at that particular time so if it is a Friday or Saturday night, or most nights after a certain time, you'll likely hear more crowd-pleasing music for the general masses than you will Exotica for tiki-philes. Your best bet if you want a less crowded tiki environment with some Exotica (or Exotica adjacent like Reggae and Ska) is to shoot for a Sunday evening as its one of the few evenings that is still relatively slow.

Service will naturally be slower if they're busy regardless of whether you're seated at the bar (which usually has 2, possibly three bartenders) or one of the tables (drinks for tables are mixed in the back rather than by the busy front bartenders). Overall the servers at the tables are attentive, though only as much as the rush allows (i.e. you won't get a lot of face time from your server if its a Saturday night). The bartenders are talented and great, though oftentimes too busy to chat which is understandable. They're usually willing to offer suggestions and go off menu if you ask.

The drinks overall are very tasty, though I'll admit I tend to prefer their classic drinks rather than their originals. The Cobra's Fang on the current menu is great, and the Aloha Felicia (one of their old originals not on their current menu) was really good. Last time I was there Cory made me a top notch Jet Pilot; highly recommend.

Other than the crowd which I'm usually prepared for when I go to Three Dots, one of my main qualms is with their mugs, though honestly a big part of my complaint with their mugs is our fault (i.e. mug collectors). A couple years ago, Three Dots sold their high quality, Tiki Farm produced, usually custom to the bar mugs for between $28 and $36...maybe $40 for a bowl. In the past two years the mugs have become increasingly generic (usually a base Tiki Farm style but customized to say Three Dots and a Dash) and the price has gone up to $75.00 a mug. While its their choice to go with more generic mug styles, the increased price is entirely the fault of too many mug collectors flipping $30.00 Three Dots mugs on Ebay for $100 and up. We did it to ourselves. They're fun mugs, especially the sea urchin and skull wall which are two of the only one's they've had since they've opened. I'm just glad I bought my skull wall when it was still $30.00.

All that said, Three Dots is a very sleek, well designed bar (thanks Paul McGee!) and continues to excel at tasty exotic cocktails. No tiki trip to Chicago would be complete without a stop at Three Dots; its absolutely a good tiki bar. Just be prepared for a crowd and a bit of sticker shock on the mugs and you'll have a good time.

The Porkchop Express

The Porkchop Express has visited Three Dots and a Dash.

August 14, 2018, 10:12 AM

This isn't a tiki bar... It's a noisy nightclub with tiki drinks. It doesn't seem like they want to be considered a tiki bar either. The drinks were great but not worth the rest of the mess.

Tikisteffie

Tikisteffie has visited Three Dots and a Dash.

August 11, 2018, 2:26 PM

Saturday is no fun to bissy !

Tiki_Ari

Tiki_Ari has visited Three Dots and a Dash.

August 8, 2018, 8:19 PM

Nice place, but lacking the authenticity of a Martin Cates class tiki bar. Too loud, and music is all wrong. Staff lack tiki passion and knowledge.

Corbin

Corbin has visited Three Dots and a Dash.

July 30, 2018, 9:32 AM

Went at 6pm on a friday night and will never return. I was hoping for a great tiki bar but found a loud nightclub. The place was a bit difficult to find, as the entrance was in the back alley but that was kind of cool and the entrance was nice. lit tiki torches and a doorman that looked the part with a tiki shirt and friendly disposition. Heading down the stairs was the famous skull wall. I took a pic and kept going. (it was here that I should have turned around) The restaurant was a large open basement space with decorated walls. The music was loud and nightclub hip hop, new rock and not tiki at all. Place was crowded with college aged kids and wealthy looking types. I stood near the bar and got the menu That had a total of 16 drink choices on it (and 4 group drinks on the back) I had the Mai Tai and it was very good, then had the recommended watermelon agricole drink and it was horrible. The bartender was really fast making the drinks, however sitting in front of her the spray was similar to standing next to Niagara falls. Really, I was getting flavor enhancers all night. Each time she made a drink liquid would spray out of the jigger onto the bar into my drink and on my hands and I was covered with bits of everything by the time I left. Now I'm big mug collector and I had viewed the great mug they had online. A nice looking $75 mug with their name on it. My goal was to get a drink with the mug there - NOPE it's not that they sold out, it's that the mugs simply are not available at the bar. You can only get the fancy mugs online! ridiculous. I asked what they had available there and they showed me 3 standard issue cheap bar tiki mugs. I left without one (and won't be buying online) This place is not recommended.

WFlourance

WFlourance has visited Three Dots and a Dash.

July 6, 2018, 8:06 AM

Went at 7:30 p.m. on a Sunday Night (made sure I had a reservation through OpenTable) and was seated right away. Possibly the largest tiki bar I've ever been to. I think bar staff really nailed the drinks. Got the Royal Hawaiian but also tried the painkiller, saturn + negroni, and the bali bali bowl. Some of the most flavorful and well-balanced tiki drinks I've ever had. The menu was also incredible. Found myself looking at its full color pages and reading its contents like a coffee table book.

What tanks the score for me is how much of an attraction this place has become. A huge part of tiki bars for me is the escapism, but this felt a bit more like drinking in a super amazing hotel lounge rather than a secluded tropical paradise. They had some incredible decor like the illuminated skull wall above the inside entry and some impressively large carved statues, but the area i was seated in didn't have much on the wall to look at other than a pair of ukeleles. My waitress also seemed slightly hesitant to give me a straight answer about what mugs are available for purchase. Great service overall but it left an aftertaste that Three dots might be more for the theme park / casino / lounge crowd.

Tikiwolverine

Tikiwolverine has visited Three Dots and a Dash.

July 2, 2018, 2:28 PM

Alley door, dark hallway, down a staircase, stacked skulls above you. The entry was well done! Had a reservation I made a month in advance, table waiting with a sign. Sad I missed the bar experience. The hostess was snooty, pretentious, better than you mentality. No small talk. Not even a smile. The place is polished, Modern tiki for those with money. The menu was gorgeous but not overly done, a leather bound book with 15 pages. The music was late 90s early 2000 R&B. We heard 2 JaRule songs. The best part was the drinks, the mugs, the presentation.

tikenya

tikenya has visited Three Dots and a Dash.

June 27, 2018, 1:00 PM

Sorry, but nothing seems more anti-tiki to me than pretentiousness and Three Dots and a Dash was pretentious to the extreme. From the literal velvet ropes outside, to the fact that our party was actually charged 3% of our bill JUST FOR COMING - Three Dots and a Dash seemed rather ANTI tiki to me. Yes the decor was nice. But that never made up for the stark reality of this bar calling itself tiki when it really wanted to be "high class downtown Chicago" and screw the vibe. Also, the drinks could have been much better mixed and did not impress at all. They get major points for the decor and how the drinks were served but none of that could make up to what they did to ruin the tiki feel of attending.

aaronraganfore

aaronraganfore has visited Three Dots and a Dash.

June 26, 2018, 12:24 PM

The blink-and-you’ll-miss-it tiki bar. In a basement, down an alley, in the dark. I think I’m in love.

Physically descending past a wall of blue-lit skulls, the visitor will find that Three Dots and a Dash does what a tiki bar is supposed to do... it transport the barfly to a mysterious, tropical, parallel universe, if only for the duration of a couple of drinks.

As an added bonus, not a TV in sight, and on the day I visited in late June 2018, the music was all vintage and modern surf, with a few tribal beats thrown in.

Three Dots is a bit like a grown up version of the professional tiki bar. Sleek, stylish, and spare in its decor choices, expect more in the "refined" category and less in the "indoor rainfall" category. Folks who love the excesses of The Golden Tiki or Hale Pele may wish for more contraptions.

Jcsmith529

Jcsmith529 has visited Three Dots and a Dash.

May 15, 2018, 7:28 AM

Visited on a monday night. Cool decor, though when i really began to look at it, it was a bit lacking except for the skull wall when you first come in. Vibe was busy, but a lot of the “who’s who” crowd there taking selfies etc. music was ok, but needed some les baxter. Cool to see people in love with the idea of the drinks and concept, but wish it was a bit more tiki-on. Drinks were good.

TikiScout

TikiScout has visited Three Dots and a Dash.

May 12, 2018, 6:16 PM

Finding Three Dots and a Dash was a bit of a challenge, and got there in the nick of time as the downfall of rain was just about to hit. I loved the Skull Wall on the way in. I didn’t have reservations and I think we got lucky to get in. We were seated in the alcove to the right of the bar, a bit set back but did give us a nice view.

The server was great, I knew I wanted to try the Three Dots and a Dash, my fellow traveler and Board member wasn’t so into the Tiki side... yet. But the server did a good job listening to her likes and recommended the Saturn + Negroni which was a big hit. Round two I went with the Cobra Fang and she got the Idle Hands based on the servers recommendation. They Idle Hands was a failure, but kudos to them for making something else, the Royal Hawaiian was a hit. I wasn’t a big fan of the Cobra’s Fang, but it wasn’t bad but I should have gone with something else.

We also had the Coco’s Coconut Shrimp which was great and with 6 large pieces I felt it was a good value.

Raider273

Raider273 has visited Three Dots and a Dash.

March 17, 2018, 10:01 AM

Wife and I visited the afternoon of Thursday, March 8, 2018. Beautifully decorated; was particularly impressed with the 'skull wall' over the entry staircase. Drinks were very well done. Although we didn't have one, several of the surrounding tables had group bowls animated by flowing dry ice. I love fire, but this was a clever way to get around the fire code; anyone remember the Great Chicago Fire?

Place filled up quickly but we had reserved a table and were seated promptly. Waitress was very attentive, even when it got busy, something I really appreciate.

Three Dots gets high marks for the drinks, decor, service, and, of course, the mug selection- I bought six! As a bar, it was outstanding. As a tiki bar, it gets slightly lower marks as the "feel" is just a little too polished and the crowd tends towards the "selfie" types (as another reviewer noted) rather than those truly enamored with tiki. That said, it's a 'must do' when in Chicago.

neanderthal85

neanderthal85 has visited Three Dots and a Dash.

December 3, 2017, 9:08 PM

Loved my visit, but it was very full and very loud. Beautiful decor and the drinks were spot on. The popularity brings a lot of folks who are "flash selfie, flash selfie, flash selfie", so the chill Tiki vibe is missing a bit here.

alohaAnneEO

alohaAnneEO has visited Three Dots and a Dash.

December 3, 2017, 8:52 PM

everything about this place was super super awesome. the decor, the amazing bartender who super loved the drinks and understood them and loved the tiki mug collection.

i want to live there.

JCorduroy

JCorduroy has visited Three Dots and a Dash.

November 6, 2017, 8:18 AM

Spending a weekend in Chicago, with the sole purpose of visiting a few tiki bars in the area. On Saturday, we made our way to Three Dots at 4 PM, just in time for the bar to open.

The bar itself was really nice, and our service was spectacular. I had a good time talking with the server and getting her recommendations on which drink to get. I settled on the namesake Three Dots and a Dash, and my friend got the Time Traveler. The drinks were delicious. We didn't try the food, so I can't say anything there. Overall, I really enjoyed the bar.

That said...there was just something off about it. It was raining the entire time, and being asked to take off my hat when I entered was a bit off-putting but understanding, especially since I now looked like a wet dog. :P The bar itself was nice, and I liked it, but it felt almost too pristine and too sterile. It wasn't a bad experience by any stretch, but it just felt like Tiki by corporate mandate as opposed to a passion project.

Trader Jay

Trader Jay has visited Three Dots and a Dash.

October 13, 2017, 12:42 PM

My wife and I traveled to Chicago to celebrate our anniversary... we loved it so much the first night that we went back a second time two days later.

Feel free to read all about our AMAZING Service and Experience on my Tiki Blog (Trader-Jays.com - Three Dots

NeilSmith

NeilSmith has visited Three Dots and a Dash.

September 23, 2017, 10:46 AM

During our visit to Chicago my Wife and I visited Three Dots and a Dash three nights out of six. The first time we were there at 3.40pm at the front of a small queue waiting for the 4pm opening, we chose to sit at the Bar and got chatting to the Barman/Mixologist I forgot to take his name, but he was a great barman, took time to chat with us, made some amazing drinks, I was able to try Lemonhart 151 for the first time, and also in a Daiquiri. We also chatted to the manager who was also very accommodating offering more mugs that were generally available. I had a Three Dots And A Dash, Lemonhart 151 Daiquiri and a Rum Barrel, my Wife had a Pandan Painkiller and a Long Walk Off A Short Pier, we collected Mugs and Mai Tai Glasses, a couple of swizzles and a menu.
On our second visit we called in later on Sunday night for one drink each, this time we sat away from the bar and experienced waitress service, which was great too, we spoke to that evenings manager and collected another Mug, he couldn't do enough for us, I had a Cheap Lei and my Wife a Cheif Lapu Lapu.
We visited one final time on the Tuesday early evening, we sat at the bar, the Barman/Mixologist (another different one) was very good again, I had a Jet Pilot and Planters Punch, my Wife a Cheap Lei and Pandan Painkiller, we also had The Pu Pu Platter to take the edge off, a great platter of food which was very filling too.
So on a whole I thought Three Dots and a Dash was a good modern contemporary Tiki Bar, modern Tiki decor with Tiki Carvings from Trader Vics of Chicago. Their drinks were very good. However maybe because the majority of their trade aren't Tiki enthusiasts I think it was missing some proper Aloha love. Although, we found this throughout the Chicago bars we visited, it was like they just didn't get Tiki, they should all take a trip to California.

Tige

Tige has visited Three Dots and a Dash.

September 22, 2017, 5:52 AM

It's a really gorgeous place. Dark with a mostly lounge type feel. I would say this is a great place to go on a date or special occasion, but not your local tiki bar. I mean, they made me take off my Brewers cap.

The drinks that I had (the Saturn and the Pandan Painkiller) were fabulous. The bartender was as friendly and accomdating as he could be considering how busy the place got.

The music was meh. Mostly reggae. With how dark and loungy it was, exotica would have been perfect.

I liked the place but just be warned, it is fairly upscale and the prices match.

x52x58

x52x58 has visited Three Dots and a Dash.

June 17, 2017, 12:38 PM

Really liked this place, great decor. I liked that it was downstairs, it gave it a "in the know" feel. It was a little hard to find, though that gave it a exclusive feel once i found it.

GeekyTiki

GeekyTiki is a semi-regular at Three Dots and a Dash.

May 29, 2017, 8:05 PM

First, I should probably get the major con out of the way: Three Dots is in an area of Chicago that is directly adjacent to both the business district (the Loop) of downtown Chicago AND the biggest tourist district (Michigan Ave.) of downtown Chicago. This means it get PACKED on weekdays with the after work crowd spilling out of offices in search of cocktails and similarly packed on weekends with tourists looking for a good bar. As such, I highly recommend visiting either later on weekdays when the work crowd leaves or early (traditionaly cocktail hour) on Saturdays or Sundays. That said, there are a lot of perfect little touches that go into making Three Dots a pretty great experience. The entrance is down an alley (just east of Clark st.) which gives it a speakeasy vibe right off the bat. After you enter, you descend a flight of stairs that leads you beneath their signature blue wall of skulls. The bar itself is dark and sleek, with bamboo and thatching and Tikis to set the mood as well as a couple water features and Exotica in the background. The staff is friendly and helpful, and the drinks are excellent. Additionally, one of the perks of Three Dots being owned by a larger restaurant group is that it has a good selection of custom mugs for the avid trophy hunter who needs a souvenir of their excursion. Well worth the visit, just be sure to plan around the crowds.

Kahiki Guy

Kahiki Guy has visited Three Dots and a Dash.

April 26, 2017, 11:52 AM

Great drink menu, solid cocktails, a little night-clubbish, but still a solid place for some aloha.

H.P. Hovercraft

H.P. Hovercraft has visited Three Dots and a Dash.

March 31, 2017, 10:47 AM

Three Dots and a Dash is an amazing place. From the moment I slunk down the dimly lit hallway leading from the back-alley entrance and saw the host/ess station, I was in love.

The restaurant is awash in bamboo, coral, fish, grasses, and leaves. The men working wear Hawaiian shirts and white slacks, the women wear Polynesian dresses straight out of a 1960s fashion catalog. All considered, I felt truly like I had stepped into a different time and place. The staff is friendly, courteous, and all smiles, even when I tried to get a table for some unexpected friends.

The drinks are great - nearly every drink comes in its own tiki mug (which are available for purchase if not sold out) and they're delicious.

The main drawback of Three Dots and a Dash is that it's popular. Once a speakeasy-style bar with a "hidden" door, when I was there it seemed like a destination for tourists and clubbers who seek a little bit of a departure from PBR and shots of Fireball.

In general, though, the clientele are relatively well-dressed, relatively well-behaved, and did not keep me from thoroughly enjoying myself. I definitely plan on going back and giving them a lot of time and money.

tikiglees

tikiglees has visited Three Dots and a Dash.

October 28, 2016, 11:57 AM

just came back from Chicago and ended up at 3Dots twice, lucky me. 1st night was two of us and had a great conversation with bartender Eden, who turned me on to a few books and some different rums... 2nd night was with a group of 10 and they were super accommodating the group loved it... drinks, music, food, service was all really well done both nights... better than I remembered from my last visit a year or so ago

Trader Trace

Trader Trace has visited Three Dots and a Dash.

June 27, 2016, 11:21 AM

It took way too long to get a table past what we were told so we didn't end up dining but the staff was very friendly and the experience was top notch.
The play Exotica Music earlier in the evening.

ggbj1966

ggbj1966 has visited Three Dots and a Dash.

June 6, 2016, 5:12 PM

This is Sexy Tiki!!!!

Cheap bastard

Cheap bastard has visited Three Dots and a Dash.

March 18, 2016, 6:06 AM

I'm going to start by saying that I prefer tiki bars that are more campy than ultra mod. That being said, 3 Dots is a very mod, hip, upscale place. There's nothing wrong with that at all. I would say that this is one of the best places I have been. The decor is fabulous. I love that they picked a theme of skulls and went with that for the whole place. The drinks were awesome. They were very tasty and dressed to kill. The mug selection is the best I have seen. I found and purchased my new alpha mug there. I couldn't really hear the music and didn't eat the food but based on the drink quality I'm sure it is wonderful. The waitresses were dressed to kill in very sexy looking Hawaiian sarongs. It kinda made me feel like a classier Hooters. I'm sorry if that strikes anyone as sexist, but I've mentioned before that good looking wahines are just a part of tiki culture and I'm glad to see people embrace it rather than try to shame it away. I was most impressed when the manager, Kevin Beary, came out to introduce himself and talk to me about my tiki travels. I'm not regarded as an expert in a lot of things, but when someone who has helped to create certainly one of the top 5 tiki bars in the US takes time to introduce himself and chat it made me feel kinda special. Thanks Kevin.

kortiki

kortiki has visited Three Dots and a Dash.

March 1, 2016, 7:43 PM

I loved their banana daquiris and their unique mugs, but it felt way too much like a club with a little too many bachelorette parties involving people who clearly don't care about the tiki scene... Also didn't love the loud trance music. Definitely feel I would've enjoyed it more if arrived during off-hours.

Doctor Ti

Doctor Ti has visited Three Dots and a Dash.

February 28, 2016, 1:11 PM

Very good drinks served in beautiful Tiki mugs. However, if you arrive after 11pm on a weekend (like I did) this place feels like a Vegas nightclub. Long lines, loud dance music, and lots of party dudes and girls. Do yourself a favor, make a reservation for early in the day and get there before the Tiki vibe gets smothered by the "scene".

KevinCrossman

KevinCrossman has visited Three Dots and a Dash.

January 4, 2016, 5:59 PM

We visited early in the evening and it was a relaxed vibe. Great drinks (we sat at the bar).

We attempted to visit a coupe days later, closer to 11 pm. Much more of a club feel with young girls in mini skirts. My wife said this wasn't our vibe, and she was correct.

AJM

March 8, 2015, 1:23 AM

Whatever their drink with passion fruit is, I can still taste it. This is the memory I cling to rather than the sugary punches. Amazing glassware. Amazing atmosphere and entrance. I am dying to go back.

Bad Shirt Good Times

Bad Shirt Good Times has visited Three Dots and a Dash.

May 21, 2014, 8:53 AM

Celebrated my birthday at Three Dots in April 2014 and invited the crew from 'Bad Shirt Good Times' (the Aloha shirt company I co-founded & market).

Same as what's been said prior: amazing tiki decor (took many pics that I'll post) and outstanding drinks and service! We got there shortly after it opened on a Saturday night. Already starting to get pretty busy with most tables taken. However, we got a nice low seated corner area and served immediately by a very friendly and knowledgeable waitress. Cute, friendly and fast - what else could you ask for? She helped us with our drink choices and we were on our way!

FOOD:
Practically ordered everything on the menu! Easier to say what we didn't like: the spring rolls were just so-so. The peanut dipping sauce made it better. The skewers were probably our second least favorite, but still decent. The top choice, was the TUNA CRISP... wow. Just WOW. Two orders of it and later ordered another! Pork belly buns were a close second (and we ordered seconds!). Great stuff! Allowed more "padding" for more cocktails!

Drinks... lots of em!
We all enjoyed the big skull punch bowl of Zombie Punch for sharing. Jaw dropping presentation. Everyone should start with that for that WOW factor. Tasted good too, but maybe a tad too floral for some in our party. *I* had to hold back not to drink too much so I could sample others to come! The signature Three Dots and a Dash drink went over big in our group, but probably the most ordered as a 2nd round was the Jet Pilot. Tried a wide array and everyone was raving about their own personal faves. Everyone wanted to come back!

So, about the crowds... yes, it got REALLY packed. REALLY busy and the music started to shift and become a bit clubby as the night went on, so much so that we had to exit. Not our thing. But I am sure that's a necessity to cater to the late night club crowd.

We WILL be back for sure! Get there VERY early on a Sat or hit it during the week, for sure.

NOTE: only a week after we were there, they changed up their drink menu! Looks even better so may have to go back sooner then later!

barmanamok

barmanamok has visited Three Dots and a Dash.

May 21, 2014, 2:45 AM

I recently had the pleasure of visiting Three Dots and a Dash on three separate days of a five day stay in Chicago. I have to say I was very impressed with my experience. Paul McGee is an expert barman, and he has trained his staff incredibly well. Cocktails were spot on and the staff was attentive and friendly. It is in River North, so you can expect to see a bit more of a night club or business clientele, so I do suggest being mentally prepared to order a drink and watch the wild animals do as they do. Sundays and Mondays are a bit slower, and those are also the nights Paul works behind the stick. They recently launched a new menu, two highlights for me were Don't Touch My Bikini, a genever based drink, and the wonderful No Bye, No Aloha which features gin. Make sure to get a banana daiquiri, the garnish is hilarious!

Rummy63

May 20, 2014, 5:23 PM

Well, I have to echo much of what the prior Critikers said. Avoid weekends, go early. The loud club atmosphere they adopt on Fridays and Saturdays is fairly horrific. If you go when other tikiphiles are there during quieter time, it is sublime.

The atmosphere is an amazing combination of modern subtlety and classic tiki kitsch. Meeting Paul McGee is a big plus too. Amazingly friendly and willing to chat about tiki. The classics and modern sides of the menu are both great, but the 3 Dots, Saturn and Jet Pilot stand out in my memory. The Poipui Boogie Board is much better there than when I attempt to make them at home (delicate bourbon balancing act, I think). And the house Mai-Tai is a joy as well. Check out The Whistler if you have time as well (where Paul McGee resided prior to 3 Dots).

Definitely make this tiki stop #1 in Chicago. FAR better than Hala Kahiki. Chef Shangri-La is worth a stop for old school, divey kitsch. And their drinks are not bad for the price. Dr. Fong is a good choice.

Souvenir mugs only available at the source. The original urchin mug is truly unique and well-made.

Teevtee

May 20, 2014, 4:27 PM

I agree with both of the above reviews:

Three Dots and a Dash is not only the best Tiki bar in Chicago (not saying much I admit) but just flat out one of the best bars in Chicago.

They just nailed it right from the get go. The entrance is perfect and lends a theatrical flair to everything (down an alley, through a nearly unmarked door, down the stairs under a wall of skulls awash in blue light... its perfect). The decor is both clearly tiki but modern at once. It just feels right and being in a windowless chamber allows them to control the ambiance and light... it is ALWAYS just the right time down there. The drinks are fantastic and made with care and quality ingredients and served in great mugs (most notably the custom Three Dots Sea Urchin). To top it off the staff are some of the most fun I have ever encountered. I am not shy when it comes to getting to know the people who work and my favorite places; they are after all a vital part of the experience. At Three Dots from the managers to the bus boys and everyone in between are really on top of their game. Three Dots employs several of my favorite servers bar none... just really nice people. Finally Paul McGee the partner/owner mixologist is a great guy. Giving of his time and deeply knowledgeable.

Oh yea... I almost forgot the actual menu... it is a physically large throw back to menus of the 60's with great illustrations of the drinks... both modern takes as well ad faithful classics (the origins of which are credited on the menu).

If you have even a passing interest in tiki places (of course you do if you are reading this) or even just a really fund place GO HERE.

Now there is a caveat.... as Wiki Tiki said the weekend is NOT the time to go. Go early on a weekday... go on a Sunday... make reservations... just be smart and prepared and you will love it.
On the weekends later at night it turns into basically a club because of its location (River North in Chicago is a club / tourist area for the most part)... but AVOID those times and have fun all the other times.

A+++

Wiki Tiki

Wiki Tiki has visited Three Dots and a Dash.

May 20, 2014, 4:09 PM

We were lucky enough to get in on a Saturday in October. There was already a short line outside waiting for the place to open at 5:00. We got seats at the bar (where we wanted to be anyway) and tried a few of the excellent drinks with beautiful garnishes. The pupus we tried (crab Rangoon and coconut shrimp) were also pretty good. We went back on a Saturday in March, arriving shortly after 5. There was a longer line outside, and the bar was already packed. The tables were all spoken for by parties with reservations. If you are coming on a Saturday, reservations are now a must, even early in the evening.

Rum Forest Rum

Rum Forest Rum has visited Three Dots and a Dash.

May 20, 2014, 3:23 PM

Best tiki drinks I've ever had. The presentation is 1st class. décor and ambiance top notch. The only down side is that it gets really busy on weekend nights. Go during the week.

Regulars and Visitors of Three Dots and a Dash

Regulars

People who go to Three Dots and a Dash at least a few times a month.

• BitnerDesign
  Weeknights
• Citizenskip
• 151_

Semi-Regulars

People who go to Three Dots and a Dash at least a few times a year.

• 
  Trader Mike
• 
  Tikinaut
• 
  DarthMalaguti
• 
  thedrunkentiki
• 
  Smazik
• 
  Comicbookhero
• 
  Tiki Chi
• 
  rsully95
• 
  KukePuluke
• 
  erichauser
• 
  Papaw
• 
  Helen Alice
• 
  elliepritts
• 
  TheAlum
• 
  dominodamsel
• 
  DaveValdez
• 
  scubarex
• 
  ChicagoTiki
• 
  Emenehune
• 
  adriancardwell
• 
  ANTIPANTS
• 
  Tiki Carl
• 
  matthucke
• 
  SarntLee
• 
  GeekyTiki
• 
  rkseal
• 
  TikiGreg
• 
  House of Tabu
• 
  Tiki Mistress
• 
  roxydanger
• 
  MoVengeance
• 
  ladybird_gem
• 
  alleykatking
• 
  Demerara24
• 
  IAmTikiSteve
• 
  jhilla
• 
  KillDevil
• 
  TheFuzzyMusk
• 
  NightOwl
• 
  KahunaCP
• 
  KBoroniec
• 
  Kimberry226

Visitors

People who have been to Three Dots and a Dash at least once.

• 
  Zombified
• 
  Quince at Dannys
• 
  TNTiki
• 
  Tiare
• 
  monkeyskull
• 
  Matango Derek
• 
  Rugby Matt
• 
  hala bullhiki
• 
  Lokelani
• 
  Trader Tom
• 
  NautiTiki
• 
  tikitabby
• 
  aloha.taboo
• 
  exquisitecorpse
• 
  pittsburgh paulie
• 
  RumRandy
• 
  SufferinSimon
• 
  John S. james
• 
  Ladewig
• 
  darcsylver
• 
  Tiki Kim
• 
  gucky
• 
  AtomicToby
• 
  Otto von Abbattoir
• 
  Pineapple Princess
• 
  NauMai
• 
  Kuai Craig
• 
  Hang10tiki
• 
  bongoboy
• 
  TikimanDan
• 
  Tiki Thomas
• 
  horgaloha
• 
  creepy tiki
• 
  sherlock2713
• 
  gooneybird
• 
  Zombie Mike
• 
  Tiki Finky
• 
  Dodger
• 
  Bruce
• 
  KevinCrossman
• 
  eli
• 
  Wiki Tiki
• 
  The Porkchop Express
• 
  RumHunter
• 
  Rum Forest Rum
• 
  barmanamok
• 
  Bad Shirt Good Times
• 
  Tiki-D
• 
  PineapplePrincess
• 
  Grog_Zombie
• 
  swinokur
• 
  tikenya
• 
  Whaia-Muri
• 
  skillbilly
• 
  A'Pau-ling
• 
  Noland Nocount
• 
  aaronraganfore
• 
  Silly Idol
• 
  Scaramouch
• 
  ssieburth
• 
  timmy
• 
  Tikihut Honeycutt
• 
  mllekat
• 
  Jon-Tiki
• 
  atomicginger
• 
  Cheap bastard
• 
  AnnieKai
• 
  Rain and Cane
• 
  retrocelt
• 
  madcow
• 
  michiganminiac
• 
  abkidd
• 
  alohameisha
• 
  referencefox
• 
  Spoiled rotten
• 
  tikiglees
• 
  DottieMouth
• 
  boha
• 
  steve hammons
• 
  Enchanted Treehouse
• 
  JeffCleveland
• 
  oneparticularparrot
• 
  TikiLisaSF
• 
  Pelvis
• 
  swiz
• 
  IndyEdward
• 
  Tiki Mon
• 
  Mainlander
• 
  mahalomichael
• 
  TikiEd
• 
  Adam Bomb
• 
  maxelman
• 
  Doctor Ti
• 
  cocktail_adventuring
• 
  kortiki
• 
  Dr. McTiki
• 
  GR8Y
• 
  rahi i'a
• 
  Martiki71
• 
  Badgersan
• 
  Ohhoe
• 
  ggbj1966
• 
  Castaway Kevin
• 
  Farbror Fuzz
• 
  KauaiChicken
• 
  PeterVenkman
• 
  Trader Trace
• 
  JimNeumayer
• 
  Schwafish
• 
  TikiPalace
• 
  davidphantomatic
• 
  TheMeekTiki
• 
  PKJC
• 
  m4sterb4tes
• 
  abacab
• 
  donwestchester
• 
  rapscallion
• 
  Tangaroa Jefferson
• 
  Baron Moai
• 
  Rumjourney
• 
  SomedaySewing
• 
  Cosmic Coconut
• 
  Mockingbird
• 
  kylelankford
• 
  Sukielau
• 
  NeilSmith
• 
  Claymontgomery
• 
  Chester Copperpot
• 
  Katstiki
• 
  1934Zombie
• 
  tikiduder
• 
  NinaColada
• 
  LizAtomic
• 
  erikdaniells
• 
  AtomicLady
• 
  Tiki_Will
• 
  geotiki
• 
  twocaledonias
• 
  tongueincheeky
• 
  BeccaSchmecca
• 
  tammylc
• 
  MichaelSaul
• 
  nicholasrooster
• 
  Tiki Slinger
• 
  littlemissfelina
• 
  HinaKaluua
• 
  Mnchuck
• 
  tikiboss
• 
  Raider273
• 
  GitcheeTiki
• 
  Tonga Trader
• 
  testtrack321
• 
  Misterkingdom
• 
  TPA2LAS
• 
  the sunken lounge singer
• 
  Internet_Junky
• 
  Breathandtaxes
• 
  Laka_Lono
• 
  DanieStubbs
• 
  Mixommelier
• 
  Josh Yonutas
• 
  RumDrunkPirate
• 
  TongaBib
• 
  craigbestjr
• 
  fun4robots
• 
  Nohea Rob
• 
  jchicago
• 
  Murray
• 
  x52x58
• 
  CancelledHoneymoon
• 
  Jonny
• 
  waterygrave
• 
  Laguna
• 
  wildjlove
• 
  Tikibaz
• 
  TikiTishyWishy
• 
  Bungalow Robb
• 
  TikiMichelle
• 
  miss_hilda
• 
  fgagnon
• 
  precurser
• 
  dfpratt09
• 
  galaboutmidtown
• 
  rwallmeier
• 
  jokeiii
• 
  Moxietregatti
• 
  SoCalTikiGal
• 
  H.P. Hovercraft
• 
  Leaseapenny
• 
  Uapu'uwai
• 
  GW
• 
  Cape FM
• 
  roddog
• 
  Tinman Tom
• 
  TikiCatKC
• 
  traderandy
• 
  Dapper Don Juan
• 
  Shelleytodd
• 
  Natqmerc7313
• 
  Gaeriel18
• 
  VintageVixen
• 
  Paralyzed Poly
• 
  Kahiki Guy
• 
  joshuamathias
• 
  Lucy Diamond Tiki
• 
  Merrill Stubing
• 
  AWESOM-O
• 
  Missmaelaroux
• 
  TikiChris
• 
  Anntiki
• 
  TraderBrandon
• 
  Corbin
• 
  Cap'nHaddock
• 
  DesertTiki
• 
  JungleBird
• 
  Cactus1932
• 
  Hahai
• 
  JDTikiPaddler
• 
  Tige
• 
  sannydamet
• 
  Garrlicbread
• 
  Tiki Lindy
• 
  Ogopogotiki
• 
  Monkeydead13
• 
  funnylittlefugu
• 
  JTiki
• 
  merdogg
• 
  SuperBigChief
• 
  LoaLaur
• 
  Shaker of Rum
• 
  themeperks
• 
  auntangi
• 
  AlohaEric
• 
  Haute.sauce
• 
  Bdassell
• 
  Jeff Bannow
• 
  JCorduroy
• 
  the-moleman
• 
  Mik-Tai
• 
  Trader Jay
• 
  TikiTikiTavi
• 
  dlgreenwald
• 
  nichali
• 
  Wolverinechris
• 
  TikiBert
• 
  DebP
• 
  sangsterrific
• 
  lbshek
• 
  middleagemoai
• 
  roa_ae_ryan
• 
  Katy
• 
  Alidactly
• 
  Frenchy
• 
  alohaAnneEO
• 
  neanderthal85
• 
  Lmac
• 
  Magnum65
• 
  Tskavlan
• 
  Nachonomics
• 
  tikiobsessed
• 
  dustinukulele
• 
  KariRyan
• 
  SweetLeilani
• 
  The Mortal Remains
• 
  HeatherRyann
• 
  LoveCraft_Cocktails
• 
  Capt1320
• 
  JV
• 
  cjane143
• 
  WFlourance
• 
  jimbo
• 
  BarnztheTiki
• 
  Mat&Josh
• 
  Jcsmith529
• 
  Rumandbones
• 
  TraderSharps
• 
  TropicAmber
• 
  MichallaMarie
• 
  TikiScout
• 
  Yacaboo
• 
  58_Esquire
• 
  WonderBred
• 
  floridarumrunnergal
• 
  Leighab3
• 
  DMB
• 
  Tikiwolverine
• 
  FreakyTikiBrad
• 
  RUMAWAYWITHME
• 
  Graydon
• 
  Jesse
• 
  AlohaYaz
• 
  Torgny
• 
  richpalin
• 
  Cutter
• 
  DP
• 
  Vandygirl04
• 
  Wyatt Magnum
• 
  theCursedislands
• 
  michigan_rummy
• 
  gomamago
• 
  BobDance
• 
  cmk713
• 
  Tiki_Ari
• 
  Neidschel
• 
  meirybomb
• 
  Tikisteffie
• 
  TraderBaaBaa
• 
  EricVailTiki
• 
  Wicked Wahini
• 
  Gotta Love the Mai Tai
• 
  DrSchooner
• 
  Nichole917
• 
  LeiYo
• 
  Placierbetz
• 
  brunDMC
• 
  okuma
• 
  GrimTiki
• 
  Ka Laki Lolo Tiki
• 
  Tikiman2001
• 
  mmette
• 
  tikidonk
• 
  StinkyMatt
• 
  SanDiegoMystic
• 
  MichaelJTanner
• 
  bongo
• 
  ArgyleTiki
• 
  Jefftiki
• 
  MuddyMaeSuggins
• 
  Jay138
• 
  FujiyamaLana