We sit down with Tony Contri of the CPG Restaurant Group and Brian Levinson of Tank It Easy and discuss their new venture in Chicago's Lake View neighborhood right next to Cheesie's.

Lost Reef Lounge, a collaboration between CPG Restaurant Group and Tank It Easy, is a sophisticated and intimate cocktail lounge experience unlike any other Chicago has ever seen; a tranquil aquatic atmosphere, serving upscale cocktails and delectable small bites. This exhilarating new lounge provides a sublime immersive experience that you will want to have again and again. Tank It Easy is a full-service aquarium maintenance and design company based in Albany Park.

Chapters:

00:00 - Intro

00:12 - Getting the Bar Idea

03:27 - Prior Occupants

05:18 - Creating the Concept

06:25 - Rich Wood Tables

07:09 - Water Tanks

09:29 - Underwater Landscapers

14:43 - Family Days

16:52 - Selling a Fish Tank

22:13 - Safe and Healthy Fish

24:03 - Designing the Atmosphere and Menu

26:27 - Choosing the Chef

29:00 - Food Tasting

33:50 - $55 Cocktail

36:00 - Memorable Drink Experience

39:31 - Getting Lost Together

40:29 - Staffing the Space

43:39 - New to Restaurant Industry

46:26 - Coral Restoration Charity

47:53 - Finding Nemo

48:00 - Challenges

52:35 - Floor Plans

55:04 - No TVs

55:26 - Drink Menu

58:01 - Timing with Great Barrier Reef

59:50 - Drink Tasting

1:02:44 - Not a Tiki Bar

1:03:40 - Brand Recognition

1:05:03 - Coral vs Fish

1:09:14 - Chicago Sunburst Cocktail

1:14:44 - Bartender's Favorite

1:15:53 - Specialty Drink

1:18:35 - The Reveal