Closings

Trader Vic’s Closes

Photo: courtesy of Facebook

One of Chicago’s original tiki lounges, Trader Vic’s, closed unexpectedly last weekend. Opened in the Palmer House in 1957, the lounge managed to survive until 2005, before reopening in a new Gold Coast location in 2008. Unfortunately, it looks like this incarnation only lasted two-and-a-half years, as customers have noticed that the sign has been taken down outside and the phone disconnected. The location has even been deleted from the Trader Vic’s website. For a particularly detailed story of Trader Vic’s rise and fall, definitely check out Rob Christopher’s account of the storied tiki lounge for Chicagoist. I guess the rest of us will have to wait for The Whistler’s next tiki night. [Trib]

Trader Vic’s Closes