Does the chilly Chicago weather have you wishing that you were somewhere a bit more tropical? While a faraway vacation may not be possible immediately, you can always find some refuge in one of the many tropical tiki bars within Chicago! Tiki bars are retro-Polynesian-inspired themed drinking locations that often focus on rum-heavy drinks. Luckily, Chicago has a collection of very high quality tiki bars for you to visit on chilly nights! Here are two of them:
Lost Lake
Lost Lake is a self-described “tropical oasis-meets flotsam strewn island hut” that you can find in the Logan Square neighborhood. This establishment has won a plethora of accolades, including Time Out Chicago’s Bar of the Year, one of Esquire’s Best Bars in America, and Imbibe’s Cocktail Bar of the Year. Additionally, it has been a three-time James Beard Foundation Outstanding Bar Program semifinalist among other awards.
If that impressive list isn’t enough to convince you, maybe their impressive cocktail menu will. It includes rum and fruit juice heavy cocktails but has other options for the more tequila and whiskey inclined. Their menu also contains non-alcoholic craft drinks, as well as large tiki drinks for sharing in a group. Their food menu is impressive, including a fun array including a tofu banh mi and a general ‘tso boy. They also have the availability to host private events in their special stranger in paradise bar, where they often explore more non-traditional cocktails.
Three Dots and a Dash
Three Dots and a Dash is a clever name that references one of the classic tiki drinks from the 1940s. …_ is the morse code for V, a symbol for victory during World War 2. This bar is located in River North and received one of the World’s 50 Best Bars awards by Drinks International. The cocktails at this bar consist of classic and modern tiki cocktails. The menu also includes some extravagant group cocktails, as well as a list of reserve cocktails made with top-shelf liquor. Their food includes Hawaiian-inspired baby back ribs and tuna poke. The Bamboo Room is a unique experience only open during events, pop-ups, and private reservations. There they host exclusive guided experiences that sometimes include guest bartenders and interactive rum tastings.
