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]