Critiki member Hang10Tiki has just added 132 pictures 160 pictures (he added even more!) from tiki spots around Chicago. Lost Lake, Three Dots and a Dash, The Field Museum, and Hala Kahiki. And they’re wonderful! Let’s go:

Lost Lake, Chicago
It’s been a challenge for folks to get good pics of the room at Lost Lake, because it’s often full of people. Hang10Tiki lucked out and caught a quiet moment, and we’re rewarded with some wide shots of the space. These pictures give an ideal “you are there” experience. Hang10Tiki has added 28 pictures of Lost Lake to Critiki.





Three Dots and a Dash, Chicago
Similarly, these pictures of Three Dots and a Dash are delightfully comprehensive. (I’m wondering if Hang10Tiki read my recent article pointing out that Critiki can use more wide shots—these make me so happy!) There are wide shots of the space from multiple angles, drink shots, detail shots. Hang10Tiki has added 15 pictures 16 pictures of Three Dots and a Dash to Critiki.




The Field Museum, Chicago
Now it’s time for some culture! Hang10Tiki’s images of the displays at the Field Museum are an avalanche of stunning authentic Oceanic art. Slit drums, war clubs, tikis and more from all over Oceania, particularly Papua New Guinea and New Zealand. Just gorgeous stuff, inspirational. Hang10Tiki has added 37 pictures of the Field Museum to Critiki.




Hala Kahiki, River Grove
I saved the best for last. Hala Kahiki is just outside Chicago in River Grove, and celebrated its 50th anniversary last year. I mentioned it in my article earlier this week about the passing of William Westenhaver, as a temple to Witco. It’s the best example of vintage tiki in the Chicago area, and it is sui generis: room after room after room, a rabbit warren, filled with delightfully garish Witco carvings. There’s no place like it on the planet. Just the lamps alone: they have so many Witco lamps, they don’t know what to do with them. Hang10Tiki has added 52 pictures 70 pictures (wow!) of Hala Kahiki to Critiki.





Mahalo, Hang10Tiki!
Wait, what? I’ve been to Three Dots and a Dash a few times, but I had no idea about Lost Lake. Fantastic!
LikeLike
OK, so those are the fabulous places for superb tiki cocktails and genuine Tiki-ness. Yes, those are the top must-do Chicago Tiki places. I totally agree. But, there are so many others that are just fun, filled with great tiki décor, inexpensive, easy to reach and carrying on the great local-Tiki-bar tradition. What about Tiki Terrace in Des Plaines, with its regular hula shows? What about the traditional Chinese food places like Chef Shangri-La in North Riverside and Tong’s Tiki Terrace in Villa Park? We need to support the little guys just as much as we adore and patronize the big guys.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Agreed! And those places are listed in Critiki. The locations here in this article are the ones Hang10Tiki happened to be able to fit into this one vacation he took. Go to the main Critiki site to see tons of photos and information on all of Chicago’s tiki destinations! https://critiki.com
LikeLike