Lost Lake Ceding Space To Houston's Acclaimed Anvil For Week-Long Takeover

Instead of closing Lost Lake for a week while Paul McGee and his staff are off for some R&D in Martinque — the French Caribbean island—, the team from Anvil Bar & Refuge will travel from Houston and cover for them. Expect a bit of a departure from the pure tiki experience at Lost Lake, as Anvil throws in a dash of disco vibe with Caribbean flavors. The pop-up takes place from Feb. 28 through March 4, according to a news release.

Lost Lake reps describe a clash of cultures between the laid-back tiki atmosphere —where customers patiently wait for bartenders to mix their drinks— versus the kinetic, somewhat impatient action on a disco dance floor. Anvil hopes to make peace with the opposing vibes.

Anvil, open since 2009, is a five-time Beard Award semi-finalist for "Outstanding Bar Program." Anvil's Bobby Heugel believes cocktails can be a vessel of education, and last year even offered a "Christopher Columbus Was An Asshole" menu at his bar on Columbus Day. That education goes beyond history, as he'll bring Anvil's "Break Even" menu, where staff pours an ounce of an expensive spirit for customers "at cost." The discount is their way of thanking guests and exposing them to something new. Drinkers should also expect sharable punch bowls and tropical drinks. Perhaps their winter menu will provide more clues.

The Chinese-American food at neighboring Thank You will also take a vacation, as they'll join in on the 1970s theme by serving dinner party snacks including shrimp cocktail, pigs in a blanket and deviled eggs.