How is this listed as a dive bar?? I stopped in here on Saturday night and was pleasantly surprised. The cocktails are very nice. It was a hot night so I ordered a refreshing Moscow Mule. It wasn't served in a copper mug, but that's okay. It was still pretty tasty. The atmosphere was trendy with carefully placed lighting and beautiful woodwork. This is a great place for a date night. The cocktails are good (about $10) and they have an extensive beer selection. I found the ladies room puzzling. Behind velvet drapes is a vanity and mirrors but the area is so dark, I can't begin to imagine what you are supposed to do there. Check your make up? In the dark? Weird. Also, cash only, friends! There is an ATM there. read more

The Charleston is the BEST. It's very friendly, relaxed, chill, homey, buttery... Jason, the bartender was very friendly and accommodating, make a fresh pot of coffee on a cold winter evening at the behest of Nat R., even after explaining to her that it was just recently made. But she still doesn't drink coffee from the bottom of the pot (not like there's a spit-shot in the there). Anyway, I digress... Back to the review, a great old bar. The tamale guy pops in a couple times a night. There's plenty of seating, live entertainment on occasion, a good beer selection, a pool table, and always friendly peeps. It's a destination place in Bucktown. read more

Bad date, but great bar! Great vibe, good drinks, not too dark, not too loud. Friendly and good crowd also. I wished the date was better so I could have stayed at the bar a little longer, but will remember it for future dates :) Good drink selections, but remember it is cash only! read more

Charleston is a really cool spot if you're into a late night cocktail in a more intimate setting. The tamale man came through while I was in last which was fun being able to nosh on tamales at the table. Highly recommended! read more

This cozy neighborhood bar is in no way a dive. Hammered tin roof, pastel olive and red painted walls recall jazz-age Chicago when backstreet corner bars like this were more common. What makes this place stand out is that the owners are deeply passionate about good music and bring in some great local acts who otherwise have no commercial viability- one night a jazz band, then old country, then a band playing Congolese guitar classics from the 60s. Now that the pool table is gone a small stage has been set up in back; though the PA needs help, this is truly one of the best tiny music venues in the city. If upper-middle class hipsters with laptops make you uncomfortable (understandable), you can always sit at the bar and stare straight ahead at the remarkable chalk cat drawing on the beer menu. There's a decent selection of mass-market beers, though they're scant on the microbrews. This is a decent place to show up alone and just ignore everyone and listen to the music. read more

I should love this bar...reasonably priced drinks, live music, close proximity. Unfortunately, the less-than-friendly demeanor of the staff has made this a place that I won't go into again. Treat me like crap once...shame on you. Treat me like crap twice...shame on me. Treat me like crap 5 times....its time to walk a little further for a drink. read more

This was one of the last bars we hit on a crawl, and I suggested it because of the Time Out review featuring the signature jello shots - it was billed as an artisan mold with a variety of flavors. So, I'll qualify this with (1) I may have been too drunk to fairly evaluate this spot, and (2), the fact that these artisan jello shots are only available on Wednesdays was a real downer for me. However, the crowd was very laid back and appeared consistent with a neighborhood bar. So there may be endearing qualities to this spot that I failed to recognize. Good luck. read more

Very good bottle list, ambiance, and service. Bartenders are very friendly, and the place is very romantic and tucked away into a small corner of Bucktown most wouldn't visit unless they lived there. I enjoyed a Belgian Tripel, the great music, and gorgeous space. Will be back. read more

$ 1.75 PBR on Mondays. Any quesions? Usually a friendly vibe, typical Bucktown mix breeds. Who the filthy Hell cares about decor, what is wrong with you people, bitches. Drink more , think less, go to Charleston. Love that one girl that used to work there, what's her name .... read more

Went here for the first time last night, and all things considered, it's a great place. It resides on a very quiet, very humble corner of Bucktown, but as we walked closer, we heard the blaring of a trombone as someone exited the bar. It livens up the area. Upon entering, I felt the life, the lights, the music and the essence of a Friday night. A great jazz band was playing, which added major points, as well as the great beer selection including a wide variety of bottles available and some Great Lakes on draft. I would definitely come back to this bar. read more

The Charleston is a nice place to go and have a proper drink. Their beer list is small, but quite good. The bartenders know how to make a cocktail, I'd recommend the Manhattan straight-up. It's a nice atmosphere, very low-key and dark. I prefer it when it's not busy because it's much easier to get a drink and the bartender isn't running around a ton. I'm not a fan of the miniature bar stools, they are a bit unstable. A short chair would work much better at the low tables. It's definitely not a dive bar, but more of a place where hipster-yuppie mixed breeds congregate and mingle. read more

This is a beautiful bar! I love the wood, and the mirrored bar, and the big windows in the front, and the mirrors outside of the bathroom. There is an ATM in the back. The bartenders have always been friendly. The last time I was here was on a Sunday afternoon and it was chill. I think they were playing New Order or something like that. Fun place. read more

Yeah, 'what happened to the pool table' is right. I stopped in here recently for the first time since moving out of the neighborhood a couple years ago. Ok, I appreciate the cork dart board. It's nice to find one in a bar I like. But more importantly... What happened to the old tables they used to have? Now they have a bunch of cheap looking cafeteria style tables and chairs when they used to have old dark pub style wood tables and chairs. Seriously the place looks like shit compared to what it used to be. The raised platform in the back is a waste. The art on the walls is sloppily hung or tacked up. It seems they got rid of the taxidermy goat in the front window. A lot less character than what I remembered. Are there different owners or are they just trying to turn it into more of a dive bar? read more

I enjoy beer, and I enjoy this bar. The first time I was there, we played darts and drew pictures on coasters (which the proprietors then hang on the walls). The next time, the bar was decorated for the staff holiday party (an under the sea theme). My beer enjoyment was, of course, enhanced by the sight of a construction-paper octopus wearing a teeny santa hat. This is a good, local bar. Good beer selection, good crowd, good bartenders. read more

What a great neighborhood bar! It is nestled on a quiet street in Bucktown and seems to have not changed in a hundred years. A very friendly place where it is easy to chill and have a drink - if you can find a spot at the bar. While it gets busy here it never gets annoying (well there was that one time when there was a girls night out or bachellorette party and those sorority girls were annoying). This place has great music and sometimes has bands. I have never had a bad time here. One of my favorite bars in the area. As Jelena Z points out: it is like a Big Head Todd and the Mosters song - and if you remember BHT (who was pretty huge here in Chicago) then you will feel at home here. read more

Came here somewhat early on a Friday night and even though the place was not super packed, it still took about 20 minutes to get a drink...you shouldn't have to fight for such privilege in a bar. Pretty interesting crowd, but the bar is not at all divey as some of the descriptions read. Hard to be divey when you are next to city mansions. Drinks were decent and prices weren't too crazy. Make sure you wear a low cut shirt or something in order to get attention to order drinks though! read more

Great customers and great place but bartender was a racist who kept bringing drinks to the white people around us and kept acting like he forgot our order. read more

A very affordable bar that is worth traveling to Bucktown for. Met up with a large size group for a fun night. Thursday night wasn't crowed, filled with mostly regulars. Friendly bartenders. No food, but are accommodating to you receiving carryout. Overall a fun time that's great for groups and conversation. read more

Favorite bar in Chicago. Nothing fancy but just a warm, not crowded, and comfortable space. Will be back! read more

Fantastic neighborhood ambiance, no smokes, characters at the bar, take out menus, best place in Chicago to spend a rainy weekend afternoon into evening. Damn you, you guys need to get Belgians on tap. read more

This place is one of the main reasons I despise Los Angeles and want so badly to move far away from here and back to Chicago. This place is full of real people. read more

Take me home. To The Charleston. I love this place with it's astronaut art and all. Hear the pool table's disappeared which is definitely sad, but I can't get enough of Tuesday nights. Jazz sets from some sexy-talented guys and usually open for others to join in. The best place to creep in solo-style, sink into an old wonky wooden chair, eavesdrop, take notes, sip drinks and then text friends to stop by too before the band tunes out. read more

So when I first went there after the change in ownership it was tre-douche. Now it's mellowed out a bit. I've been there several times since, and I have gotten decent customer service. The bar is back to a laid back vibe, and that I can deal with. It's not my top choice in the 'hood, but it'll do in a pinch. read more

What a great spot! I walked by tonight and had to stop in after seeing how awesome it looked on the inside. Extremely well-kept bar, great drinks and the bartender tonight was super chill/provided awesome service. I'll definitely be back! read more

This place is an absolute neighborhood gem for us Bucktown dwellers! I've been countless times and always get great service and the bartenders really know how to make a great cocktail (especially Old Fashioned's). This place reminds me of a more modern, upscale "dive" bar without feeling pretentious at all. It gets pretty packed late on weekend nights and I'm always a fan of the music. I've also came in on many weeknights to play board games and sit by the big window in front for some people watching (or even better, relax during a snowstorm). Something to keep in mind is that this place is Cash Only! The only downside really is the lack of any outdoor space for the warmer months, but they usually leave the front door open for a nice breeze. read more

Decent-enough neighborhood joint, lots of bearded hipsters wearing flannel plaid (or folks time traveling from the early/mid 90s?). I'm not a beer drinker, but my friends seemed to be pleased with the selection. I got an $8 whiskey sour. Thought it was kinda pricey for the size and since it was a low-key establishment. We got there at 9 and had no problem finding a table with ample seating for a large-ish group (7). By the time we left at 12:30 it was packed and difficult to navigate an exit. Seems to be popular. It's somewhat low key, but loud and crowded. read more

We loved this place. We loved it long and hard. Now it's a little hard to love. It's been in the hood a long time. It's still chill. But, more times than not it's gonna be filled up with a bunch of jackasses that seriously have no idea what it means to be cool. I wish a long and prosperous life for the Charleston, but I know I don't have much fun there anymore. read more

Charleston has been one of my favorite neighborhood bars in Chicago for a while now. Cozy atmosphere is created with unique vintage decor details. I like that the bar is further away from the craziness of six corners yet it is still centrally located in the beautiful Bucktown neighborhood with easy public transportation access. The crowd is usually a good mix of artists, locals and professionals in their late 20's through 40's. Oh and their margaritas are so far the best I have had! read more

Charleston - an orange van parked in front of a building - Pubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This place is great! My friend and I ended up here on a Saturday of a holiday weekend and the crowd was perfect! Not sure if that's usual but it seems like such a good vibe. The place is cute, the DJ was amazing, and the drinks are reasonable. The bartenders kept making us laugh- so nice! It is cash only so make sure you have enough although prices are reasonable. It would be a cute date night spot or hanging with friends. Try to grab a seat by the bar- it's worth talking with the bartenders! (And the dj) read more

Charleston - Pubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This is probably my favorite bar in Chicago! Cash only (ATM available). Great prices. Awesome cocktails - I usually get a gin gimlet, Tom Collins, or a dirty martini. Great DJs. I hosted my birthday here once and they reserved a huge space in the back for me. Just sent an email off the website and didn't pay a thing! Got to bring in whatever food I wanted too. This place is perfect for dates or drinks with friends as well read more

Love: Neighborhood Beer available Crowd Dis-love: hmm...nothing really to note Stopped in with a friend and found ourselves making friends with two guys who lived around the corner. Had great conversation, many Gunniess pints later, our tab was small and our buzz was on. Definitely a neighborhood to check out and the bar to frequent, slainte! read more

This place may still be called Charleston; it's hard to tell since the new owner who took over in December decided to remove the sign. And painted the interior black. Note to wanna be tavern owners: If you want a cool place to show off to your buddies that exudes your personal dark and urban-trendy aesthetic, re-hab your basement. Because there are plenty of sterile, dark and trendy places where people can go, drop some coin, leave, and never think about the place ever again. If you want a business that can thrive and grow and become a staple of the community it serves, create a space and environment where people want to be, where people can connect, have a conversation, enjoy each others creative bents; a place where the customer isn't considered just a cash-cow, but part of a vibrant community. Encourage your staff to feel a sense of ownership and encourage them to bring something to the table. Let them mix it up a little bit to create a space with character and soul. Reach out to everyone who walks in the door, get to know them, ask them what they think, if they're having a good time and most of all, make them feel welcome. However, if you're looking for a way to stroke your own ego or create some sort of, I dunno, tax shelter? Follow these steps: 1.) Purchase an existing establishment that has a loyal staff, welcoming, left-of-center vibe and following. 2.) Tell everyone you "love the place," and "don't want to change a thing." 3.) Change everything. Start by throwing out any little bit of character, whimsy and joy. Then paint it black. 4.) When you are in residence, surround yourself with a couple of close sycophants, and ignore everyone who comes in the bar. Never say hello, or greet new customers. 5.) Hire your friends. Sure, you've got a staff of loyal, trustworthy and creative people who have been there for a decade or more, but remember: You Know More Than They Do. And hey, it's your money, your prerogative. 6.) Re-assure the existing staff that everything you're doing is For Their Own Good and For The Good Of The Bar. Do this every time you see them. Trust me, having to work up the proper obsequiousness in regard to you and your sketchy plans will exhaust them, and they'll quit on their own, making this all much easier on you. 6a.) Hire a manager who's never set foot in the place before. Smirk when he refers to the place as a "dump" in front of existing regular customers. Remember, this person will be expendable in due time, and is only there to distract people from what you're really planning. Allow him to "run things" with some whacked out vision that no one understands. When the time is right, fire him. (Of course, it is allowable to have this person in on your scheme. It all depends on your level of integrity, but seriously, if you're already going this route, you have very little in the way of this virtue.) 7.) Use the manager to creatively adjust the work schedule. Get all your pals on board, and finagle them into the choicest shifts. While re-assuring the existing staff that this will somehow magically result in everyone getting more work and more money (see item #6) see to it that their shifts are depleted over time to one or two a month, preferably on Sunday and Monday afternoons. This is the set-up. Once you have achieved all of these steps, you're ready. In one fell swoop (and you must move quickly) announce that you are: Eliminating all day time shifts and not opening the bar until the evening. Therefore, anyone not scheduled for a night shift, is "laid off." Meaning of course, fired, let go, canned, 86'ed, screwed, what-ever. Terminology is a moot point at this juncture. It's all the same thing. You have now, successfully got what you wanted and screwed everyone else. Smooth, nice and kinda deliciously evil. For bonus points, rub your palms together and cackle with glee. And enjoy your very dark bar. read more

What a cool lounge bar!! I can't believe they are going under (very good sources say). Located right in the center of apartments/housing but it's not an eye sour, in fact I would think that it is very convenient. It's really not even that loud and there was live music. It's got that funky design to it, with foil fish hanging from the ceiling and assorted weirdness on the walls but over all its very comfortable. The crowd is laid back people of all shapes and sizes, young and old, all enjoying themselves and very friendly to the others around them. The bartender was by herself during most of the night and constantly running around; she worked very hard for those tips! What kind of surprised me even though it's probably common for other places as well but people kept coming and going during the whole night, at moments their was maybe 15 people and then all of a sudden you get couldn't even get up to the bar. Still it's a great bar to start the night and I'm sad that I only got to experience the place once before it goes. I really came to check out the cool cat Kyle (smooth nachos) playing the bass in a jazz band. And as an extra bonus I had the pleasure of the ever so lovely Jerry M. for company. What a great night, good conversation, good drinks, great Jazz, and then the tamale guy showed up!! An extra star just for that!! read more

As with rest of the reviewers who wrote after the Charleston changed hands, I am also very disappointed with the change. It is no longer the dive bar everyone loved and cherished. Now it's a trixie/jerky bar one that you would find in Lincoln Park/Lakeview. The life and personality has been sucked out of the Charleston. I would rather stay home (I live right across the street) than go there or walk a couple blocks away to The Corner, which has a great atmosphere, awesome service, and great prices! New Charleston owners - please read these reviews and change back to the old Charleston!!! read more

Classic cocktail bar with candles glowing throughout in the lovely bucktown neighborhood. Quaint record selection every day of the week. Friendly bartenders and locals alike. Great spot for a date night, celebration or rough work day pick me up. Parents would approve. Try a dirty martini for good measure, they're a must! read more

Wow. Decades of dust and the faint aroma of cat pee no longer linger. In its place is some sort of minimal, dark, design-mag worthy version of a neighborhood pub. Handwritten script on the bar's mirror face artfully reveals the day's tap selections and other tid-bits about their drink menu. It's a world away from what the Charleston used to be, and I think I kind of like it. But I'll need a few more microbrews to make sure. read more

The Charleston has a decent beer selection and friendly staff. However, as far as music is concerned, I've heard the same song twice within 20 minutes. Also, it seems like a popular yet unoriginal spot to bring a date. That place was so boring I got cancer. read more

$1.75 Huber Bock on Thursday nights. Not really sure what it is beyond another cheapo Wisconsin-based brew, but believe me when i say the shit tastes like gold. read more

A cool spot. A good amount of space, a chill vibe. The kind of place where you can just as easily sit and talk to people as dance a little bit! It's cash only, so come prepared. read more

Reviewed this spot before and i returned and it was a even worse experience this time.this is how I'm going to explain this joint. The spot and lighting and layout is really great ole school neighborhood bar.Ive been to countless local bars some are inviting some not. If you want a place to be ignored and cheated like a complete jerk this is the place for you.If you want a drink good luck getting ANYONE to get one for you.the ONLY Person i mean the ONLY person that's has a personality or give a shit Is the doorman everyone else BLOWS! It's a social media bar.What does that mean you ask.If your not friends with them same as FB they won't talk smile or acknowledge you period. And that's a real shame how can you meet and find out things about people if you don't even give them a chance.Place sucks it's negative and not welcoming.Why own a bar or any neighborhood meeting place and hire selfish negative people who don't give a shit about anyone but their FRIENDS! Turn it into a social club with memberships or use it to train other bar owners and servers of what NOT TO DO if you do own a business. I'm sorry i wasted 2 hours in total in 2 visits to this AWEFUL place. read more