Three Dots and a Dash

Three Dots and a Dash is the creation of star bartender Paul McGee, in partnership with Lettuce Entertain You, a Chicago area restaurant group. The bar is named for the classic Don the Beachcomber drink, itself a WWII call for victory using the Morse code for "V." The focus at Three Dots and a Dash is on cocktails, but it also delivers on the special Polynesian Pop details we've come to expect... most notably on the beautifully detailed souvenir mugs. There is a small menu of food, including a flaming Pu-Pu Platter.

In November 2014, Paul McGee left Three Dots and a Dash, and in January 2015 opened Lost Lake

Lost Lake

Chicago, IL

Bar

8.6

Comments

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.

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