I'm glad I was able to get out of my eternal funk last night and head over here with Martha and a couple other people to grab a beer. Tired feet are no excuse to be a boring old hermit. Ok, maybe they are, but I'm trying not to be such an anti-social bastard. This place is located near the pool that Martha and I used to frequent, and it brought back memories of our less lazy days when we'd walk all over the place to swim and get nachos and go thrifting. Anyway, time to stop waxing nostalgic about 7-11 nachos. The bar is cozy and relatively free of douchebags. There's a pool table in back and live music, though the place seems a little small for that and was a bit crowded at 11:00 on a Friday night. I'd definitely come back and check it out again. Perhaps to get wasted on $3.75 well drinks on Wednesdays. Hmmmm.... read more

i really like this place. it is probably my favorite bar in the city, mainly because it feels like a homey, almost divey, neighborhood bar, but still very classy. i love the ambiance and the feeling of it. down-to-earth, yet it's just a tad bit fancy. just a tad. the decor is really cool - dark walls and ceilings, wood benches. rustic and mysterious - chem lab chic, which is pretty much my style. there are no servers, so you have to go up to the bar to get a drink. they make classic drinks like a sidecar, manhattans, etc. i say come on a weekday or earlier on a weekend night. CASH ONLY. read more

I have to admit I started frequenting The Charleston when I had a close by apartment because I wouldn't have to cross any major streets while intoxicated (which I think is as good of a reason as any!) But I think it is the perfect neighborhood bar. There's usually a band, there's a pool table, a cat and a decently mixed crowd. read more

stopped in for a quick drink before meeting a friend. it's really chill and pretty darn awesome in there. i was there on an early friday - around 6 and the place was empty. no smoking, the beer was cold and cheap and the staff was nice, but not pushy. i'll be back for sure! the silvery walls make me feel like i am in a parallel dimension. read more

The poor man's violet hour without lack of quality. All the great style cocktails from violet hour minus the wait and sometimes dickhead crowd read more

I adore this place, in a corner neighborhood tavern kind of way... it is superb, nostalgic enough to keep me, hip enough to slay me, and just happens to serve up good solid customers every time. Oh, and Charlestonians actually buy friends a beer here! I love it. This is my third dimension. Can.Ky.Ree and other locals perform here which is like whip cream in the bathtub. Getting a cold Stella on draft or a cuervo in a mug doesn't hurt either. read more

Change is good sometimes. Bathroom floor wont give you a disease anymore. Crowds of old regulars are gone, great. Music has been updated. I don't really need to hear a talking heads album for the ten millionth time. If the owner told someone to move their car because it was parked illegally, duh! I would have just told them (if you really want to spend an extra fifty bucks, don't give it to the city, put it in my hand. read more

I LOVE the Charleston, its dark, clean and has a good feeling to it. The bartenders have all been friendly. I dig.

The Charleston is one of our all time favorites! Always a great atmosphere and friendly folks. I would highly suggest getting there early for the window seat :) read more

It's the perfect neighborhood dive. Only problem was that it smelled like a locker room. Honestly, hard to complain but my Guiness was like 5.35... read more

Great pub tucked away in the neighborhood. It does what a pub should do, serve beers and provide space for good conversation and meeting new friends. I dont even think they have TVs, or if they did, they surely were not the focus of the space. The people were a mix, but for the most part just chill casual folk looking for a cold draft. read more

I went to the Charleston to meet up with a few friends and it was so crowded that I could barely move. If it wasn't for the blizzardy weather outside, I probably would have walked to another bar. We managed to scrounge up a table fairly quickly and a small jazz ensemble came onto play. Within the next 45 minutes, the place was jumpin with everyone dancing to beats from the carribean and I was enjoying myself. Great mixed crowd, no pretention and cheap drinks! The non-smoking is good too, so you go home not smelling like an ashtray. read more

many years ago i found this bar and moved into bucktown so I could be nearby. I moved away from bucktown 10 years ago, so i don't go there more than once or twice a year now, but the overall vibe has not changed too much. I like the low traffic location and its a good place to play pool on the weekdays (okay...now there is no pool table). Singers can be a bit folky for me, but better that than ear-splitting death rock! They banned smoking even before the smoking ban became law (how cool is that???). The bar itself was moved from another bar, which is why the tippy top of the pediment is missing! read more

this neighborhood spot is tucked away. small, cozy, nice place to stop for a drink if all of the other bucktown spots are packed. NOTE: It seems now that they are doing a non-smoking-thing, the place smells of sulpher? It's weird. You wouldn't think cigarette smoke would disguise something like that? read more

Very attractive setting. The old, open space and old wood bar made this a great spot for a before dinner drink. Had a great beer selection, and the cocktails were super reasonably priced. A great neighborhood spot for sure. read more

Gotta admit, I really don't enjoy going to the Charleston. It's convenient and close and has an intimate feel to it but there's always something that turns me off. Whether it be their constant, random closed days, to their awkward bouncer who encouraged me to pay in cash (who wants to pay cash to hang out w/ hipsters?), or their lack of A/C during the summer sometimes, and their undeserved, overcrowding on the weekends, I'm always turned off. Maybe that's why hipsters like it. To be fair I've had a single good moment here. That was in the summer (w/ no A/C) when they had romance novel readings by patrons (on Sundays I believe). It had a few entertaining moments. read more

i've only been here once but i love it! the night we went there was a country/folk 3 piece band playing old school shit and it was awsome. the beer is cheap, the people seem nice enough and although its run down some, the bathroom was clean. i shall return. read more

The Charleston is always great. The "Craft" cocktails are amazing without the pretense that you have to suffer through while going to most other "Craft" cocktail bars. The bar tenders are always friendly and attentive and do a great job. The music is typically djs spinning not often heard b-side music selections ranging from soul to pop to indie to dance which tastefully complements the already great atmosphere. The Charleston is dark and candle lit and, best of all, there are no televisions. The mood there is always perfect. The Wednesday night gourmet jello shots are not to be missed, and, for food, Tamale Man shows up a couple of times nightly with the best tamales in Chicago. Overall, this place is really a hidden treasure. read more

Yet another one of my old haunts from the past decade or so that gets a bonus star for staying true. (Except the missing pool table). Same vibe, indie folk, quiet before 10pm. Dogs allowed. Perfect place to have a beer or cocktail and converse without raising your voice. Come before or after dinner. Cash only. Totally cool. read more

I've been past by this bar for years and never stopped in. I finally did and have returned multiple times. I suggest coming here on a weekday. Weekends get packed and this bar is intimate. I've always felt sitting at the bar makes for a better experience. Bartenders seem to always talk to me. The Charleston has a great beer menu and the make fantastic cocktails. Staff was cool to talk to and it doesn't hurt that they're adorable. Also I would never call this place a dive bar. I guess some people don't know or remember what real bars look like. It's a old-timey bar. read more

I sauntered in here late on a blustery, cold, winter night. The hirsute bartender promptly notified us that Negro Modelo was on special for a mere two greenbacks a pop. My friends and I were sold. We sipped our cervezas and enjoyed the blues that was playing over the very nice soundsystem behind the bar. After our beers, we ventured onward into the great dark night to find our fortunes, knowing that the Charleston would await us upon our return. read more

Charleston is a solid Chicago corner bar. I went with a group for a friend's birthday party, and we had a blast! I was expecting more divey environs, but it definitely had a more cozy, intimate,dimly-lit speakeasy feel. The cocktails were strong and top-notch, and I appreciated the lack of televisions. Charleston doesn't serve food, but they were fine with my friends ordering a pizza. If I lived closer, this would definitely be a bar that I'd frequent. read more

This place is SEXY and I love the dark cozy vibe. It's even better that it's right down the street from my apartment! Just a cute little neighborhood bar filled with really friendly folks in the heart of Bucktown. The first time I came here was after a long day of moving they had gumball head on tap which was the perfect way to conclude the evening. So far this is my favorite bar in the area for some reason I can't quite put my finger on. Just overall a good feeling when I come here. Can't wait to come back for a late night brew. read more

My beau and I strolled over to the Charleston one recent Friday evening. I really enjoyed the atmosphere. And the drinks were fairly priced. I would like to start going there more often - if not for the neighborhoody feel then for the fact that its smoke-free (recently quit and now I feel the plight of my non-smoking friends). read more

A little over priced and the attitude of those who work here can sometimes leave something to be desired. On the plus side, the drinks are usually pretty good and the crowd is usually pretty friendly. It is nice that it is in the neighborhood but i wouldn't go out of my way to go there. read more

Great spot for a Manhattan or Old Fashioned. Dimly lit and a nice spot to grab drinks and talk. Awesome bartenders.

The worst thing about moving recently is that in my previous spot I was two blocks away from the Charleston, which is just the most wonderful spot to sit, read, listen to someone else's incoherent conversation, listen to someone play piano, get offered barbecue randomly, drink beer that's been sitting in a wood cooler, ponder how long seasonal decoration can stay up before it's up early rather than late, etc. Just a really first-rate bar. read more

This place rocks. Smoke-free! Yes! I'm here a few times a month and I love it. The staff is very cool; drinks are reasonably priced, there are games available, and there's a stuffed goat in the window. Really, what more could you want? read more

Adorable neighborhood spot, which is so much more enjoyable when the music isn't cranked to 11. Kind of feels like they need to decide between cute bar or dance club, because having both in one spot isn't really working. The cozy candlelit tables are great for conversation, if only you could hear who you were talking to over the bumpin DJ. read more

I love this bar. The owner is one cool lady, and they dress up the taxidermy seasonally.

yes its a new era at the charleston. this out of the way "dive bar" has changed. drinks are more expensive than they should be, the vibe is more intentionally "cool" or "hip" but not pretentious (yet). lots of tables, nice ambiance, good music provided by bartender/dj via many formats from vinyl to mp3. read more

What is so great about this place? CASH ONLY? Really WTF? If it is cash only at least make the drinks a price that is more reasonable; but if you are charging the same price as any other bar that would take credit cards (what's the advantage to me?) Its a neighborhood bar that turned into a hipster establishment. Meh as cookie cutter as the rest of the hipster bars, dim lighting, dark copper ceiling, old cash register, guys in flannel. Decent beers on tap but they were out of 2 of them, took the taps off but didn't bother just erasing the selection on the mirror behind the bar. read more

Great corner neighborhood bar!! We stumbled upon it, and luckily 6 months later, bought a home in the neighborhood!!! The only downfall is it is cash only, they have an ATM conveniently however. read more

This bar reminded me of Danny's in Lakeview, it is very laid back, all candle light which I love but the only drawback, the bar is cash only. The bar staff is really friendly. read more

I've been a longstanding grump regarding Wicker/Bucktown. But recently, after 15 years in this city, I'm starting to come around slightly. This bar had a lot to do with it. Went to a birthday party here and was gushing over the place all night to the point where I could hardly pay attention to any of my friends. It's really a neighborhood pub way off the strip, sort of a hidden gem. The woodwork inside is gorgeous, and the layout is very long with a little stage/dancefloor area. The cocktails are awesome. They make a mean Manhattan - delicious. The crowd was intriguing... a slightly gender bending mix of hipsters, theatre nerds (thanks to the birthday party I was attending), and what seemed to be out-and-proud Wiccans. In fact, after a couple Manhattans, I became convinced that this may be a Wiccan establishment. Perhaps it was because the dj was a gothy lady with a little altar, burning incense upon a Pentagram? And she wasn't the only employee giving off a pagan vibe (that's not a criticism, but a plus). Possible paganism aside, the music was outstanding. A live mix of 80's goth/synth/punk made the environment all the more satisfying. I am looking forward to returning. read more

I used to come here a ton in my 20's. The last time before last night I was here before tonight, was three and a half years ago. It's changed - I wouldn't say "for the better", I liked the pool table, random xmas lights of the old days. It just seems more grown up. I will say, they definitely need more then one bartender when it gets busy. read more

Came here for a quiet drink last week. Great feel to the place - darkish with atmospheric lighting, chilled music that wasn't too loud. Cool, friendly bar tender, delicious house red. Warm and cosy spot for a relaxed conversation with friends or a date. I'm sure I'll be back next time I'm in the area. read more

They have a nice beer selection and pour a decent drink. Never notice the music though which is kind of a downer. Enjoy this place though every time I go... read more

Cool bar. Music was weird but it was Halloween. Three Floyds on draft will almost automatically warrant 5 stars, but there were other great options as well. Didn't get to try any cocktails but maybe next time. Looks like an old bar with a cool history tucked away on a residential street. Cash only, ATM in the back. read more

Lovely neighborhood bar, feels very warm (figuratively). Randomly good music some nights. Even on weekends, it's generally not uber-crowded (Danny's, I'm lookin at you...). read more