Chaplins is a nice little dive bar with friendly servers and nice management. Â We used to go all the time for Karaoke until we started having too much fun and going in groups. Â The usual KJ (sometimes there is a lady there who is very nice) is a total jerk and he treats his song tickets like they're made of pure gold. No matter how much money you are spending at the bar, he reserves spots for his personal favorites and could care less about everyone else. Â He will hand out two tickets per table usually and that is regardless of how big your group is and how many people want to sing. Â If you're coming in a big group, as we usually do, you might go up once. If you're one of his favorites, expect to go up 3-4 times. Â I don't get out much (I work full time and have a baby at home) and so the fact that he's ruined a few good nights for me means that my friends and I will probably not go back even though it's very close and we otherwise like the place just fine.
Review Source:My review is probably atypical, as I stopped in early afternoon on a Saturday for lunch. No karaoke happening, sigh. I do get why folks call this a dive bar, but it's a dive bar in a GOOD way. We had a blast. Had salmon, which was not distinguished, but definitely serviceable. A step above standard pub grub. Surprised the "craft beer whore" wasn't pleased to find SweetWater 420 on tap, unless that's a new addition. They had Guinness as well. Service was over-the-top friendly. We were greeted like old friends by every single employee as we walked in, even though we're from out of town. I felt like I was walking into Cheers. Indeed there were some interesting looking day-drinkers, and it did smell like an ashtray. We sat on the patio as non-smokers, but I almost wished we'd bitten the bullet to get the whole "experience", did feel a bit segregated on the patio. The Iranian-born owner came out while we were eating, though, and again treated us like old friends, even giving me a warm pat on the back. I am thinking we will probably return to Chaplin's when we are in town for the Peachtree Road Race next year, apparently many racers "bend their elbows" at Chaplin's after the race.
Review Source:I'll make this quick; slow service, below average over-cooked burgers, and it's dirty. Â We sat on the covered tented porch area since we aren't smokers. Â Our waitress forgot utensils, napkins, water...and we were two of maybe 10 people in there. Â They state on the menu that they have "the best burger in Roswell", definitely NOT the best burger ANYWHERE.
Review Source:"Charlie Chaplin had babies when he was 73. Yeah, but he was too old to pick 'em up." --When Harry Met Sally... (1989)
Talk about a dive bar. And I mean, DIVE. Don't get me wrong, no one is really coming here for the drinks or the food - they are coming for the karaoke. It is super smokey and crazy packed with the karaoke is in full swing, but if you want to sing, and you aren't hot, make sure you have some CASH.
The drinks are cheap, but they are strong, so that is going for them. Â This time around there was a wedding after party going on complete with the bride in her dress and wedding party dressed to the nines. Â My guess is they did NOT have to tip Mr. Karaoke to sing.
Now the karaoke singers were either hit or miss - some were amazing - I mean truly fabulous. Â Others absolutely butchered some classics to the point of ear-bleeding and my group singing over them to try and make the pain stop.
We had a hard time getting a server to even stop to get us any drinks, but the singer in our group got to sing a few times and the rest of sang along plenty.
I'll stick with other joints, thanks. Chaplins, you can have your conservative, Obama-magnet stealing crowd every night of the week, thanks.
Whoa. Didn't expect that at all....maybe I should read reviews first.
Working in Roswell, food options are limited for a 'quick' bite. Sure Canton Street offers tons of variety, but I don't have 30 minutes just to find parking, walk ten blocks, pick up my food, then rush back to work. Pizza and Chinese are done, so it was time for something new. Chaplin's had recently left us a menu, so why not?
The menu is well written and the prices are fair, especially when everything else in Roswell requires a bank loan. I called and ordered a burger, "Roswell's best burger", and fries, waited five minutes, then drove up the street to the little rundown shopping center where Chaplin's is housed.
There's two doors, one for the restaurant, one for the bar, my food was awaiting me at the bar so to the left door I went. I really didn't know this place was a dive bar, but I quickly learned after one step inside. Wow. Scuzzy is a good word, maybe even a little dirty, but charming as well in a way that makes you curious to survey more. The bartender greeted me quickly, then informed me my food wasn't ready, so I had a seat and scanned the beers available. I'm a craft beer whore, so this was a serious letdown. The only thing they had on shelf that we have at work was Woodchuck cider, and we loathe to carry that sugary mess. Saddened, I ordered a Bud Black Crown, I will one day need to report on my thoughts so why not do it now. It was awful. Anyway, the scene inside is like a snapshot from Doc's or Lassiter's, very grungy, tons of neon, old carpet, a stage and TVs all around, and a crew of day drinkers that rival the best movie stand-ins ever. Very '80s sports bar feel, with the smell of smoke, stale beer, and probably semen, though I don't know for sure on the last one. One of the patrons greeted me, and I almost felt that, if I played my cards right, I could take her into the bathroom for a love making session, because she was really that friendly (easy) and anxious to talk. Cool if you're 21 and single, not cool now.
Food came out and I paid, then realized I needed ketchup and was shown the condiments nearby to use, grabbed some A1 too and headed out. One thing to note here, trying to exit where you originally come in is completely pointless, you'll never get a break in traffic unless it's 4am (it was 6pm on a Thursday). They do show you a route around that leads you to the next light farther North, which I took and managed to get back to work within 25 minutes, not bad.
The burger, meh. If this is Roswell's best, I won't be dining much more in Roswell. Still, I'd like to go back on a busy night and experience the awesomeness of the place in full swing.
Epic Dive Karaoke.
In the cold depths of Roswell, in a mostly abandoned shopping center, with bad, bad parking lies the most secret and most magical of karaoke joints. Chaplins.
If you've been to metalsome and experienced the seething mass of drunken frat white-hats in khaki pants singing Enter Sandman with about as much vocal ability as a wood chipper filled with frozen squirrels - and were horrified at the obnoxious depths to which humanity has descended... Chaplins might save Karaoke for you.
Random people from all walks of life come together to drink cheaply, enjoy the MC-ing of some guy who looks JUST like Billy D. Williams and sing one of the 100,000+ songs at their disposal on the appropriately cheesy  Chaplins stage.  Everyone sings, dances and has a freaking blast.
Its a smoky dive with mediocre fried food and an uninspiring beer selection, but you WON'T see a drunken frat dude pass out while trying to start a fight with one of his bros and you WILL have a stunningly divey karaoke experience.
NOTE: If you are a suburban wuss who needs a shiny clean bathroom, a non smoking atmosphere and for whom the thought of doing karaoke provides only a cold shiver of insecurity rather than a rush of AWESOME - than Chaplins is not going to work for you... and I like that. :)
much love.
-CHUK
This is a true throw-back dive bar made famous for some of the best Karaoke in Atlanta over the past 20 years!
It's a dive... it IS a dive. But it's an awesome one. Smoking allowed, intimate, outdoor patio too. I've come here for well over 15 years for my karaoke fix and it doesnt disappoint. Food is traditional dive bar, but I'm partial to the chicken fingers and fries. Beer and alcohol is cheap and the patrons regular and lively.
Situated just a block South of Historic Roswell Square on Hwy 9, you get to experience what Roswell was like back in the 80s and 90s before all the urban crawl brought fine dining and a distaste for old divey bars.
Personally, I love it's character. If you are prepared for it going in, you'll have more fun. The people are all nice, and some of the singers could be professionals. Then again, it gets better the more you and they drink.
Get on stage!
It's definitely a dive...
We stopped here on Friday night after the Roswell Ghost Tour. Â Some friends of mine come here fairly often and knew a lot of the wait staff. Â While it would not be my first choice for drinks, I can see the appeal of this place as a neighborhood watering hole. Â The drinks arrived quickly, were decently strong, Â and service was pretty attentive. Â The food is mediocre at best (unless uber-greasy bar fare is your thing), so I'd advise grabbing a bite before you get here. Â
Also, the karaoke crowd here is INTENSE. Â Karaoke isn't really my thing, but you'll at least get a laugh or two watching the drunken crowd try to belt out 80s songs.
It stinks inside, unless you like the smell of wet, stale cigarettes. I also don't do Karaoke, so no advantage there.
Due to this I have sat outside the 2-3 times I've been there. here's the problem with that. you get forgotten, and it isn't like you can flag someone down. You can't, you're on your own. I've actually walked back inside before to ask for something, etc...
The food is below average bar food. Nothing that I'm going to be willing to wait for, or deal with forgotten over.
If I went to sing Karaoke, or just wanted to sit inside at the bar maybe I'd feel differently, but I don't. I won't be back. there are too many options that better fit my needs.
Used to go there all the time when I lived just outside of Roswell. Service can be a little slow at times, especially on a busy night, but the staff is really nice, especially when you get to know them, and they have some awesome burgers and chicken fingers.
My one complaint would be the main guy who runs karaoke there has a tendency to play a dance song after a every time a person finishes singing, which, on a busy night, can get very annoying if you're trying to wait for your turn.
Dinner here on the patio. Â I was with my daughter so we ate in the non smoking section. My burger was delicious and the fries were good. Â Cezar salad wasn't worth the extra $$. I would say, however, that the fun seemed to be inside at the bar. Will come back again - I think that's what its all about.
Review Source:This place is the epitome of dive bars. Â It is old (over 20 years or so), pieced together, and needs a full makeover. Â It is smoking on the inside, non on the outside covered patio. Â It has "that" smell if you know what I mean. Â It's broken in, laid back, and should be looked upon as just a dive bar. Â With that being said, don't expect a flashy, colorful, gorgeous establishment with an upscale menu and staff that would wear provocative outfits......this place is REAL! Â It has history, it has personality, and it has decent bar food.
Understand that I frequent this place a couple times a month. Â It is my place to grab a drink, play crack machine, and even catch a ball game. Â I like the bartenders, I appreciate the candid setup, and I am impressed with the large number of regulars that call this their home.
I hate Karaoke, I don't sing, and I don't like to listen to it. Â I avoid the three nights they have it. Â I've seen the ads that it is "allegedly" the best OTP, I could neither confirm nor deny this, it seems to be 50/50 from other reviewers.
The food: I have had the wings, Buffalo style Hot, they were ok. Â I have had their Bacon Dijon Burger, it was tasty. Â I have had the potato skins, those were ok. Â Their chicken tenders are Uh-mazing! Â Perfectly breaded and a good portion. Â Having seen the whole menu, I stick to these items, because I choose to. Â
Their drinks are good and cold, price is average for the area. Â They have specials like everyone else, so can't knock them too hard.
I have never had table service their because I sit at the bar, but the staff always seem to be moving. Â I have seen it when it is slow and busy, I just don't see servers on their butts. Â
Take what you want from this. Â If you choose to go, go in with a level head and respectful expectations. Â I will continue my patronage here unless something absolutely crazily stops me.
I should have read the reviews before wasting my time and money at Chaplins. Â I've been in Roswell for two years now, pass it all the time, always think that it must be good because of the location. We thought it was kinda gross when we got inside, but then found the shabby chic patio cute so we ordered wings. Â They weren't bad, so we ordered some food. Â It was horrible. Â They don't cook, they microwave!! Â I will never go back again. Â The owner should be ashamed of himself serving such substandard food. Â Pub food and even dive food can be good. Â This is simply bad.
Review Source:I hate to write such a negative review, but my dinner experience tonight was so dismal that I feel I must say something. I went in knowing that this is a dive bar with basic bar food, but I was still disappointed in my experience.
I tried to be somewhat healthy and order a salad - it was the worst salad I've ever had. The chicken was not tasty and I ended up picking it off and dipping it in ketchup to make it palatable.
The wine I ordered was barely drinkable and the glass it arrived in had grunge on the base of the glass. Like the grunge that you get from dishes that have been greasy and not washed in a while. The goblet portion of the glass seemed decently clean, but I was appalled at the discolored, grungy base. It was literally yellow and sticky.
The smell of the place reminds me of my grandparent's home - very smoky and depressing. We opted to sit on the deck and the atmosphere was okay, not great.
The tea I ordered tasted old and the service was incredibly slow, even though it was nearly empty on a Monday evening. The waitress was nice, but we could hardly understand her due to language difficulties (she had poor English speaking skills). She was rather inattentive and we quickly learned that if we were going to make it out of there, we should ask for our check when our food arrived.
I don't think I will ever go back here. This was my second visit and I've had enough. It may be great for karaoke, but don't count on it for decent food or service.
This is a dive bar...a perfect, smokey, loud dive bar. Â They have awesome karaoke on Friday nights (the only night I've been). Â The crowd is fun and energetic and usually pretty good. Â Although the not so good ones do make it more interesting. Â The best part about Chaplins is that they aren't pretentious about their karaoke. Â You can sing alone, with a partner or in a group. Â The small dance floor allows patrons to support the talent and shake it in between acts. Â Drinks are strong and the waitstaff does their best in the crowded bar. Â Oh...and if you're lucky you can see the more colorful locals dressed to the nines in skin tight leopard "dresses" Â that are usually found in the bedroom, not the bar. Â At least not a karaoke bar. Â Got out there and you will be very entertained.
Review Source:When high school friends return to the 'burbs for the holidays and force me to make a pilgrimage up to my old stomping grounds to meet them, Chaplins is a good choice for a place to meet for a drink.
As Roswell bars go, it's fine. Â My unrecontsructed friends like it because they can smoke inside, my cheapskate friends like it because they have 16oz well cocktails for $5 (though they are about as strong as you would expect a $5 cocktail to be), and my diva friends like it because they have karaoke three nights a week. Â If you want to sing, slip the karaoke MC a couple of bucks to be bumped up the list. Â The food our group ordered never came, but our server had no problem keeping separate checks for a seated party of eight and did not tack on an automatic gratuity charge, so points for that.
The inside is dated, small, and cramped, and looks like the Cheers bar would look if the show was set in Roswell, Georgia, but the screened in patio is heated and you can still hear the karaoke out there. Â I was surprised this past Saturday to see the place packed out with a crowd that was mostly under 30 -guess my group is not the only one that uses this place as a refuge when visiting the 'rents.
Eternally optimistic,  we were attracted by the slightly rundown exteriors, the  earth tones that almost camouflage the place into the surrounding landscape , the extensive deck, and the cool name.  Confronted with a huge wait at the restaurant that was our original destination, we decided to just try the burgers and wings at Chaplin's.  Â
The indoor bar looked like fun but we opted for the enclosed non-smoking patio. Â They have some serious radiant heaters out there and I felt at times like I was getting a tan; but it was warm on a chilly night. Â They pour a generous glass of wine and they know how to pull a proper Guinness. Â
The food service was slow but it arrived hot so the server remains blameless. Â The lemon pepper wings were the best thing we had. Â
Curiously, the hot wings were very over salted; and I like salt. Â You kind of expect the heat to dominate but not in this case. Â
The mushroom burger was a mess. Â Ordered medium, it came well done and the bun could not stand up to the wetness of the burger.
There was no crispness to the fries. Â We left a few on the plate that were too mushy to eat. Â
Chaplins is probably a great place for drinks and others have commented on karaoke night. Â Just don't expect a great dinner.
Chaplin's has Kamakize Karaoke Wednesday night, then basic karaoke Friday and Saturday night. Â I cannot stress enough the fun factor of this little bar. Â I went to karaoke last night. Â The place was packed. Â It's so much fun to watch such a diverse group of people party, dance, sing and there are crazy, weird things that happen everytime I go. Â I am never disappointed. Â If you like karaoke, you MUST visit on Friday or Saturday night. Â Wednesday can be dead.....depends.
Review Source:If you want a hole-in-the-wall bar with great karaoke then this is the place for you! If you want a place where you don't mind broken beer bottles in the bathroom and leaving smelly then this is also the place for you!
It has a cute patio and the drinks are good, Michelle the bartender will definitely take care of you. I've never had food here so I can't speak on behalf of that.
Like Bill below said it's quite a forgettable place.
Chaplin's is all about the karaoke. At least that the only reason I've ever been there. They have it at least 2-3 nights a week, and depending on who the host is, is either a great time, or just so-so. There's one guy who wastes a lot of time singing himself, which annoys the crap out of me, but the others are usually pretty good. The food here was pretty forgettable.
Review Source:
The 5 best restaurants in the 2015 Denver Restaurant Week
3,611 Views | Category: Denver
The complete list of 2015 Denver Restaurant Week businesses
1,972 Views | Category: Denver
The tourists' guide to Portillos: 5 must have dishes
3,318 Views | Category: Chicago
Pho = Pronounced "fuh" not "foe" for pho-king sake
2,915 Views | Category: Denver
Indulgery selected to exhibit at Collision Conference
2,987 Views | Category: Press Releases
Not Logged In
BUSINESSES
Local Businesses
Near Me
My Favorites
SOCIAL
Blog & News
MY ACCOUNT
Login
Register
Contact Us
Add Your Business
