Before I came to Chicago a few local bartenders told me I need to interview Paul McGee from Lost Lake which is a young Tiki Bar. Paul McGee is bar veteran though and well known in the scene He is the modern day Don the Beachcomber. Paul helped opening Three Dots and Dash, another Tiki place downtown. It made it into the top 50 two years ago. With his Land and Sea Department company who manages different project, he opened Lost Lake, close to Logan Square a hip area north west of the city centre. Lost Lake, such a simple name but it makes your curious.
Lovely Menu
It was one of the bars in Chicago which I looked forward the most as already the logo makes you want to go there – and it does not disappoint. Over the last years I have seen so many cocktail bars and this one is probably the most thought through concept I have ever seen. Yes it makes it a bit easier because a Tiki place has a specific theme which you can follow but nonetheless, the amount of thought, the concept, the decoration and so much attention to detail is rarely found in a bar. Not only that but the menu and drinks are spectacular. I really looked forward to write this tale about Lost Lake. I don’t even know where to begin. From the outside there is not much that points to this place as you only see a very small neon sign in a window that says “Tiki”. On the side there is a Chinese take away which looks new and comes in an old fashioned butchery design. All in white tiles and read writings. Just one small counter with one person taking the orders. Very clean and slick. Everywhere you see small playful elements. Behind the counter there are six illuminated signs. One reveals the name of the place “Thank You”. On the others you only see chopsticks in red with a white background and the chopsticks hold playful elements such as a smiley, a Wu-Tang logo a beer can or the logo of Lost Lake in form of a small piranha.
Lively atmosphere
In the middle they advertise the after midnight menu. The rest of the menu is written on another old fashioned letter board that matches the style of the place perfectly. Contemporary meets stylish vintage. One walks through the Chinese take away into Lost Lake and the contrast could not be bigger. All Tiki elements are there, a curtain with palm leaves, bamboo ceilings, lovely tapestry, the neon Lost Lake logo and other tropical elements. There is even a small aquarium with skulls in it and two live piranhas; one is called Rambo. The mise-en-place with all the small playful elements create expectations. The bartenders super friendly, knowledgeable and speedy. Nicole was serving us the whole evening and we were well taken are of. Also here playful elements. She was wearing pink earrings with the “Thank You” Logo from the Chinese take away and the beautiful flower in her hair was rounding the perfect outfit off. The menu represents a big palm leaf with an insert that shows the actual menu. Beautiful drawings in green and pink, showing all creations and their respective glasses. The drinks are served on proper Lost Lake coasters and they have their own beautiful stirrers. I could go on and on but best see for yourself as they pictures say more than my words. By the way all their Tiki drinks are their own creations and they are amazing. All I can say is – just go there and enjoy.
© images: Clayton Hauck
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