Escape Chicago at Lost Lake Tiki Bar

From the outside, you would never know that at the corner of Diversey and Kedzie sits a complete escape from the cold Chicago winter we've been having. All that marks the entrance is a green awning and a small pink neon ‘tiki' sign. A newcomer to the Logan Square neighborhood, the tiki bar Lost Lake is already a huge hit and a go-to destination for those looking to flee the bitter cold, if only for a while.

The Vibe

The decorations in Lost lake make you feel as if you have been whisked away to a Caribbean island. In the entrance sits a glass aquarium with skulls, treasure chests, and live piranha – take a look before you get a seat. Large glass orbs tied in rope hang in front of the windows; lobster traps hang above the bar; a grass roof juts out above the bar tending station where you can watch them crank out your drinks. The walls are covered with green and white banana leaf wall paper and in the back wall a large ‘Lost Lake' neon sign announces that yes, you have made it to a mini oasis.

The staff here is incredibly friendly. Though we showed up only 30 minutes after they opened on a Saturday, there was already a line outside. To make the wait bearable, the hostess offered us samples of one of their drinks; nothing like drinking to help you pass the time. The waiting area inside is right in the Thank You restaurant, and many people also ordered a beer and snacks while they waited.

Tip: Though this is new spot, it is also incredibly popular. On the weekend, you will have to wait in a line. There's no way around it. My suggestion? Hit up the bar after work during the week (opens at 4 daily).

The Drinks

Lost Lake features a fun drink menu printed on oversize leaves that match the wall paper. Inside the flaps are over a dozen classic tiki cocktails that are not only tasty, but also strong (albeit pricey at $12 for the cheapest option…$45 for the most expensive). Each drink comes topped with different garnishments like fresh fruit, flowers, and the classic paper umbrella. Some of my favorites from the menu are:

Swimming in Infinity – A fruity blended frozen drink of pineapple, lime, peach and mint.
Tic Tac Taxi – This one comes in a coconut! Made with rum, coconut, passionfruit, and lime, the drink will leave you dreaming of Jamaica.
Pool Rules – Whiskey, rum, vanilla, and cinnamon? Yes please. I will take two. Also has quite the garnishment of orange peel, flowers, and cinnamon stick.
South Sea Dipper – the glass this cocktail comes in is one of the cutest things I have ever seen, a little seahorse! The drink itself is a fruity blend of pineapple, lemon, and passionfruit.
Bunny's Banana Daiquiri – The best part of this blended frozen drink is the adorable banana dolphin that is dying to jump out of the glass and into your mouth. Has a strong banana flavor, for lovers of the fruit.
Ripples on an Evaporated Lake – Coffee fans, I have found your new favorite drink! It literally is like an alcoholic version of an iced coffee. Comes in a Lost Lake glass with mint leaves, flowers, and floating coffee beans. Yum, yum, yum!

The Food

Connected next door to Lost Lake is a Chinese food takeout restaurant, Thank You. One way to pass the time while waiting in line is to order a few snacks, which is exactly what my friends and I did. While the menu is not extensive, several of the food options sounded interesting. The food also comes in the cutest little takeout boxes! We tried the following:

Peanut snack – Tasty seasoned peanuts with chewy garlic and fried chili. It was an interesting combination of flavors, and perfect bar snack for those sipping drinks.
Eggrolls – Not a very large portion; got 4 small rolls with two dipping sauces: beer mustard and plum sauce. The former was unexpectedly spicy (I was not a fan), and the latter a bit sweet. The egg rolls themselves were very crispy and well filled, but had a little too much meat for my taste. I would love if they offered a veggie option.
Chicken Wings – We ordered these while sitting at the bar. One order came with 6 lollipop cut wings. The wings were soy glazed and very tasty; probably one of my favorite food items. Also come with a side of lightly pickled cucumbers.
Fried Rice – We also ordered this at the bar. It came in a large bowl which we easily split between the three of us – we each filled our individual bowls twice! Came with an egg yolk in the middle which we mixed in with the rest of the rice. I thought it had good flavor, and the pork pieces always made the best bites. The crispy ginger also was a delicious addition.
Dryfried Longbeans – I mixed these in with my fried rice. They did not impress me in any way but were a fun way to practice my chopstick skills.