This place is very cozy. Â That's a nice way to say it's small and overcrowded. Â The place has charm though, because it's older so it has a more old school feel to it. I wasn't a huge fan of the band playing. Â They played mostly slower R & B songs that didn't do much to get people on the dance floor. Â Parking here sucks too. Â We parked across the street at some other business. Â Be aware too, there is a cover. Â It was $7 when I went.
Review Source:Awwwww yeahhhh! We had such a good time Saturday night. Â I loved the music and the vibe of the place. Â The totally mixed crowd was great to see having fun and everyone young and old seemed to be digging the 70's-80's R&B/Soul/Funk genre live music. Â The only tip I can give you is to arrive early in the evening and use the waitresses to order drinks. Â The bar gets way to full for frequent bar runs. Â Parking was a bit of a bummer since we had to walk a few blocks and my drink glass was a little small for my taste. Â I would have enjoyed a larger drink to keep from having to order double drinks and wait 20mins for them.
Review Source:The first time I went to Char's it was very dead. I was not at all impressed. However... at the urging of a nice gentleman there, I decided to give Char's a second chance. I am so glad I did. I love it now. It's definitely a dive bar, but so cozy and fun. The parking in horrendous and the bathroom is an outhouse but still worth it. I like the bands and the staff is excellent. I can't lie, I'm a fan!
Review Source:Great place to go have a drink and listen to a wonderful live band. Love their Soul Power night and it gets pretty packed for a dive bar. Drinks are reasonable could be better just for the type of bar it is but the band makes up for it. Make sure to take ones for tips these guys deserve it!
Review Source:Made the trip to Chars last Saturday for my first time. Â Had an absolute riot! Â We saw Larry Bailey, who plays there every Wednesday as well. Â Really, really enjoyed it. Â It was by no means traditional blues, more a mix of r&b and funk with some classics in there, but the band was rocking. Â Great time, great place, I will be back.
Review Source:I LOVE upgrading my reviews and Char's, you have graduated to 5 Stars. I don't know why I don't come here more often. This is one of THE best places in The Valley for live music. I made my auspicious return last 2 Saturdays ago after a long absence. I was a bit bummed at the $6 cover charge.
Flash forward about an hour, with a few drinks in me and having heard Larry Bailey's first set, it was the bet $6 I'd spent in LONG time. The whole band is awesome: The bass and guitar, the guy on the sax and the drummer! GREAT performers. I've been back since for their Wednesday show and plan on being there again this Wednesday (no cover charge during the week.)
The drinks are VERY reasonably priced and the service is good. Beside the great music, this is one of the best places in The Valley to peoplewatch. There are all kinds of characters in here and it just makes Char's one of the best experiences in The Valley.
It goes without saying:we're not New York or L.A. but we have some pretty damn good places here in Phoenix and Char's is one of them. REALLY a gem!
What can I say, this place is awesome! Live entertainment and adults enjoying themselves. My wife and I are in our late 30's so it's nice to go somewhere that's laid back and is filled with like minded people, so many times have we went out to dance and the DJ loses their mind and starts playing Tejano, hardcore rap or just starts to mix so much the song loses all meaning. The only negative I could point out is the size....but that's what makes this place feel like home! If you don't know someone when you get there, by the time you step off the dance floor you'll be on a first name basis! On another note I love the diversity of people that come out to Char's, it gives me hope for the planet!
Review Source:Char's is a hidden Phoenix gem. Â It is a very small bar that hosts some pretty awesome bands. Â Of course my FAVORITE band is Soul Power. Â Friday nights are packed. Â The one wish I had is that they wouldn't over pack the place. Â So what can expect from this neighborhood bar? Â The good: Â Great music, reasonable drinks that are not weak by any means, a very diverse crowd, the urge to dance the night away, only a $6.00 cover and reasonably priced drinks. Â The bad: Â Dance floor is very small, they do not serve food, if you don't like crowds or tight places this venue is not for you, the VIP section is a shabby one.
Review Source:A former Colleague of mine gave me the skinny on this place 20 years ago.
Since then, I have kept it as one of my closely guarded secrets because it is just that kind of place but i guess the word has gotten out since.
I really can't add anything that hasn't already been said by fellow reviewers, so let me just say, "What happened to Chuck Hall and the Brick Wall?".
If you want to have a fun night out with people aged 21-60+ who can let their hair down, then go here.
You  WILL have fun!
Char's Has the Blues... and, apparently, the Booze. Â Of course, I was only drinking water by the time we'd arrived at this gem of a place!
On the suggestion of Lisa E. and chauffeured by Diane S., we trekked over to Char's. Â We were all in the mood for dancing and Char's was the perfect place for this!
George Bowman and Baddboyz featuring Lucius Parr was the band of the night and they rocked the house. Â They were actually really cool guys; I had the opportunity to briefly chat with George and Lucius while catching some air outside.
The pluses? Â This place is really low key, but we were not at all out of place dressed to the nines. Â The band was great. Â The booze was cheap. Â The clientele was very mixed in ages from twenties to seniors. Â
The minuses? Â Their enclosed "indoor/outdoor" patio was SMOKY. Â Sooooo smoky. Â I cannot stand smoke and it was difficult to breathe. Â Two days later, my asthmatic self was still using my inhaler and blowing ash out of my nose (I know - TMI). Â The dance floor is a decent size, but the "stage area" spills over into it. Â I felt bad that I was bumped into the band on a couple occasions. Â They have a $6 cover on Friday and Saturday nights. Â It was worth it to see such a cool band, but I hate paying a cover anywhere. Â
I really liked Char's and I would go back again to dance in a heartbeat.
THE JUMP OFF! As a new Arizonian a friend suggested this pace for live music and non pretentious dance. This is the kind off place where people go who know. A tiny dance floor with eclectic characters from all walks of live surrounding and coming in and off the dance floor with their date when the funky beat touches them right. The music is on point ranging from Earth Wind and Fire to Blackstreet Boys. The band is fantastic and really collaborates with the crowd energy. Great date spot or if you have a group of friends that want to get down then here you go.
Review Source:Yay yay yay! What a fun place!
Marsella's review is spot on...It's like being in "a real big city with culture"! In fact, I completely forgot I was in Phoenix during my recent evening at Char's.
The drinks are affordable. The dance floor is packed. The people are friendly. And the music will be rocking all night. And I'm talking about seriously talented people behind those microphones. (I especially liked that I knew all the songs being played!)
I suggest you get your butt over here ASAP. If you haven't been, you are definitely missing out.
Lately the music at Char's has deteriorated. The same 2 or 3 same bands play every night. It wouldn't be quite as bad if the bands learned some new songs but they play the same thing the same way every night -- and every band plays almost the same song list of tunes. Do we really need to hear "Car Wash" and "Mustang Sally" 7 days a week?
Don't get me wrong -- the bands that play at Char's are good bands, but all of them are in a terrible rut.
Char's desperately needs some new blood with different music if they want to continue to have a steady clientele. Char's is becoming boring and predictable -- and that is no way to keep a business strong when many other places are offering a far more interesting music fare.
Oh Char's...whenever we can't think of where to go for a night out on the town we find ourselves shoved head first into your welcoming bosom...and just like an ample, satisfying bosom should be, you are crowded (dare I say, stuffed to overcapacity?) & have a phone, keys, ID, cash and a handy-dandy credit card tucked safely beneath your well-worn, sweaty underwire...
Yes, it is slightly...um...cramped for space. Yes, parking is sometimes an exercise in cruel and unusual punishment (depending on the shoes you happen to be wearing that evening). But I challenge you to find a place that can consistently deliver a crowd of (sometimes seemingly unlikely) people who are TRULY AND HONESTLY just out to have a good time quite like Char's. If you are feeling particularly dramatic...I beg you, please wait until you are in a better mood before you visit this spot...unless the only thing standing between you and a good time is a stiff drink and some great jamming music...well, then take your ass there ASAP. We'll see you on the dance floor.
My husband and I have been to Char's twice now and we will be going again.
Its a very little place, dark, small dance floor. Â The type of place you can wear comfy shoes and jeans and really get out and dance, Â just plain fun.
If you get there right when they open you'll have no trouble finding a seat. Â The place does fill up quick though, after 10 it's standing room only.
The two bands we have seen have been a lot of fun, very eclectic, very good.
Service the first time was great. Â Service the second time SUCKED. Â Took forever to get drinks, and even longer to get our checks. Â They accept cards, but I suggest cash, there is nothing worse than being held hostage when the waitress cannot find the time to bring you your card to close the tab.
Bonus, on the Saturday night we went there was a grill set up across the street, best brisket sandwich I've ever had.
Great music and fun atmosphere!
Parking is definitely an adventure, be prepared for a little trek from your car to the bar! Totally worth it. Â In my opinion, the fact that the place is a dive bar, makes it even better! Small and PACKED! Everyone is very friendly and all are there to just have a good time and listen to some great live music!
So, let me preface this review with this : I love dives. Â I just do. Unpretentious, laid back and casual (or dressy if you get down like that) venues good for just going and getting out the house!
With that being said, I really enjoy going to Char's. Â I've been there a handful of times and each time I go away chuckling. Â The people are friendly, the bartenders pretty consistently attentive with their service and then there's the live music. Â Loves!
Of course, there are a few negatives. Â The not so spacious dance floor, the lack of seating unless you're there before the sun goes down, and the uh..not so great bathroom facilities. Â But all in all, it's a very nice spot to go and have a drink, enjoy some live music and just chill. Â I would and probably will go again.
We danced and drank, drank and danced to Soul Power Band. Then we drank and danced and drank and danced until they closed this joint. But what a joint. the band Soul Power (<a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.myspace.com%2Fsoulpowerbandaz&s=97d27b1a078207afa85feb2acaa48f851a162081f2287fb16f125a880cbaeb9c" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.myspace.com/s…</a>) as amazing, they played everything, a round of drinks for 4 was only $14.50 so it was all good.
Looking forward to going again to dance and drink, drink and dance to the  Soul Power band.
Loved hanging out here last Friday night. The place was PACKED! Luckily, my friends and I got there early, about 8:45ish. We were able to secure ourselves some stools in a great spot near the bar. Soul Power was playing, and they lived up to the hype. They were great, covering all the songs that you'd want to hear in such an establishment.
Just a warning to all you ladies out there... I would suggest NOT using the restrooms there if you can help it. S C A R Y. Like, go back in time 100 years and still find more acceptable facilites scary. I am scarred for life!
Other than that, we had a really fun night.
This place is such an awesome change from the typical Scottsdale scene. Â Instead of looking around and seeing the same 4 people carbon copied about 100 times, Char's has an eclectic crowd of young and old, black and white, hipsters and cougars, bikers and divas all wonderfully coexisting. Â Hey, kind of like a real big city with culture! Â
Char's has different bands playing each night - Soul Power was performing when I was there and they were fantastic! Â These musicians like to interact with their audience and know how to get the crowd going. Â Their tunes range from the stuff your mom & dad probably got down to in the 60s - 70s (grown-folk music as they called it) through 80s R & B, modern top 40 hits and anything with a little soul in between. Â Even if you go thinking you won't dance, be prepared to get sweaty because you just can't help yourself. Â Everyone else will be having too much fun out there for you to resist!
Char's loses a a couple stars for the tiny dance floor, limited seating, and lack of ventilation, but gets a well-deserved bonus star just for being so unique! Â There's really no other place quite like it in Phoenix.
This is definitely a take-your-date-here-if-you-wanna-get-laid type of place.
My friend and I checked it out on a Friday night a few weeks ago, I'm all about the low lighting and it's very dark and cool. Lots of handsome African American men in suits and hats. Soul Power was playing, which is an r&b and funk cover band, they were awesome! I got some Mardi Gras beads and I didn't have to do anything dirty. We got wasted and danced our asses off to Michael Jackson..super fun time!
Parking can be a pain but so worth it. Â SO FUN! Â I've been to Char's on random nights of the week and no matter what it is still busy and the live music is awesome. Â Rarely can you count on a place to have quality live music, a bustling dance floor and speedy drink service every night of the week. Â Char's is that place. Â LOVE IT!!!
Interior is a bit tacky in the best way possible. Â I swear the ceiling looks like its covered in red velvet (too bad it just appears that way). Â
The crowd at Char's is one of my favorite things about it. No one would feel out of place and everyone is legitimately  having a really great time. It really is more of mix of motown and soul than the blues, which is better to me! You know you're having a good night when find yourself dancing to Earth Wind and Fire.
Both bands I've seen play were equally talented and engaging. Â Not to mention one of the drummers was a stud and a bit of eye candy does make the whole deal sweeter ;)
I will definitely be making Char's a 'go to' place from here on out!
There's nothing I don't LOVE about Char's. Â Oh wait, they have a tiny womans bathroom and when you stand up in one of the stalls everyone can see you head... weird but when you have a few drinks in you it doesn't bother you as much. Â
I love the regular bands, Lady J and Bad News Blues, really great. Â The wait staff is always nice and quick to bring back the drinks. Â It can be a bit of a sausage fest sometimes but I the guys have always been respectful and I've never hesitated coming here alone for that reason.
The dance floor is really small but again, once you get a few in you it doesn't matter.
I went here Friday night with a group of friends to celebrate a wedding anniversary and we had so much FUN at this unassuming little place!
Soul Power  -- a regular band here -- played and they were awesome. The bongo player invited me to beat out a few different songs with him. They're totally chill and friendly but very talented. Great music.
I love the atmosphere. People were friendly and just having a great time. My girls and I get a bit over the top when there's music and dancing but people acted cool about it.
There is a small dance floor at the feet of the musicians and people used it. The server did a good job keeping up with the packed little place.
It's a definite we will return.
Random spot to walk in and feel like you had a memorable night (in a good way)?
Char's has the Blues is it! The live bands sets off this place for a memorable experience seldom rare in Phoenix, AZ. A love for jazz and funk will only intensify after visiting this menu. It really make you appreciate true music. The staff is very nice, low key and friendly. The atmosphere is very comfortable and relaxing. I love this place, it literally has a little place in my heart :)
Holy crap -- venues like this exist in Phoenix? Who knew?
My friends and I were waiting in an unholy line at the Rhythm Room to see Tommy Castro, and we started getting this dread feeling that we weren't going to get in. I used my handy-dandy Yelp BlackBerry app to look up what was nearby, and saw Char's, so close all this time that I could have thrown a sock full of manure and hit it. The Char's web site isn't exactly what you'd call "mobile friendly" but I could see from the Yelp reviews that it had music every night.
We decided to drive over and check it out -- best decision ever. The place is quite a bit smaller than RR, with an intimate stage and little dance floor. The band Soul Power was setting up, and we ordered drinks from the friendly waitress. There is a cool cat sitting at the door collecting the (considerably lower than RR) cover charge, who we later found out is the owner.
I can't adequately describe the effect Soul Power had on us. I could say I was blown through the opposite wall, but that doesn't quite sum it up. I was... funkified. Electrified. Wow, what a band. What a room. What a night.
Oh, and it's cheap to drink there.
Last Saturday, I went to Char's Bar
Because it wasn't very far
Riding bitch on a scooter
In a mini skirt barely covering my cooter
This was my first time
Which should've been a crime
Cuz' this place was poppin'
My booty was droppin'
My head be boppin'
Where all the ez katz are flockin'
Drop, pop the collar lockin'
All shades of colors hoppin'
To the beats that be rockin'
$6.00 was the door fee
Stiff drinks? Yes please!
Shots of Patron I was takin'
In hopes of later dirty baby makin'
And even morning breakfast serving bacon?
Only complaint is the restroom
Very slimy, tiny, and grimy
She sang with soul and funk
Nothing dull or bunk
Damn, I'm gettin' drunk!
Singing some James Brown
The crowd was gettin' doowwwnnn
No one with a frown
Up in this Blue's town
I danced and got jiggy
Flirted like Miss Piggy
With all this fun
Under the sun
I was done
But I'll definitely be back
Ready to attack
This place was so cool
Not at all whack
Eyes were closing shut
Baby making, what? What?
Not tonight, don't wanna to fight
Can barely stand with all my might
Losing sight
Gooooooood night!
Let's face this upfront: This will be a rather dull review for a place that is anything but boring. I've had it bookmarked "To Review" since my first visit in September, and it's time to say a few words on behalf of Char's.
Char's holds the honor of being one of the few places that immediately make me comfortable. Â Going into Char's, you are instantly transformed into someone cool, even if it's only for an hour. Â Char's doesn't really try, it just merely is and you're forced to sit back and enjoy the show. Â It perfectly fills the role of the dark little bar that serves strong gin and tonics, and provides a steady diet of blues and funk music.
It's priced right, and one of the few places in town I'm willing to pay a cover charge, only excused because there's always live music. Â The incredibly sweet and friendly staff are a highlight at every visit. Â It must be mentioned that at Halloween the staff was dressed as Chicago-style gangers, complete with high heels made with brass knuckles.
The building itself can get a bit cramped and it can be hard to find a table or maneuver from one area to the next once the place is hopping. Â Still, park across 7th Avenue, play Frogger as you dash across the road, and enjoy yourself.
"Nobody leaves this place without singin' the Blues." Â I felt nothing like Chris Parker when I set foot in Char's. Â Let's just say I did not have the 'Babysitting Blues'. Â The way pimped-out Doorman/Cashier was so friendly and shook Nico's hand as we entered. Â
This. Place. Rocks. Â
That is all I really need to say, but I will elaborate a bit. Â I had read several Yelp reviews before going and was totally pumped. Â I thought maybe I was setting myself up for disappointment believing all the great reviews. Â Not a chance. Â Char's was so amazing! Â The band Soul Power rocked the house and we danced our butts off. Â The crowd, staff, band...everyone... were clearly from all different walks of life/backgrounds and yet meshed and made the place even cooler.
We took a breather on the covered patio which does NOT leak when raining as someone pondered in another review. Â
This is my new favorite hot spot in Central Phoenix. Â I could go on and on, but quit reading this review and just get to Char's!!
Have you ever walked into a place and said to yourself "Oh... I'm going to have a lot of fun here!" It happened to me on Saturday night. I walked/stumbled into Char's buzzing off of Patron and was immediately hit by a dose of FUNKY COOL. I met Amy D, Kevin M, Nathan S, and Amanda B for Amanda's b-day, and I am so glad that I did!
I walked in and was greeted by Amy. After paying a 6 buck cover and getting a skin staining hand stamp, we headed to the bar where I was greeted by a friendly bartender. I ordered a Patron drink and was told by the waitress standing next to me that a mystery man had paid for my drink. SHWEET! We headed to our group's table. On our way there, I was growled at by a very big man. Judging from his hulking size and neanderthal like stance, I assumed that grunts and growling were his only means of communication. That was until another guy growled at me on my way to the restroom!! I finally was like "WHAT?" Â Ohhhh, I get it, that's the "cool" way to tell me you think I'm cute! Gotcha.... ick. Sorry fellas, if you think it works, it doesn't. Try "Hello, how are you" instead. Just sayin'.
The live band that was playing on Saturday was GREAT. They played a lot of old school music that got my booty shakin! I even had to take Amanda out on the floor for a spin! So much fun! I might have to make this a stop for my b-day bash! It was that much fun!
The customers of this place was a mixed bag, but for the most part very nice! I even met a guy named Robinson Crusoe... no lie! I even checked his ID. There were your average pervs, the ones who try to touch or rub on you, but with a threat of mace to the face.... yeah that was avoided easily.
Char's is a little divey, but a cozy place where the people are friendly for the most part (stop that growling), and the service is great! Go there for dose of "Funky Cool"!
This place has cool seeping from its walls. Upon walking in I felt a little disoriented, my guess is by how cool this place was.
Chars doesnt have to try to be cool, it just is. From the dimly lit dance floor and bar area. The christmas lights hung in a tasteful manner. Although, like every establishment in the valley, you cant smoke inside you can still see a smokey haze hang over the stage and dance floor.
The band, Soul Power, HOLY FUNK!!!! YESS!!!!
This place gets 5 stars... it is that awesome. My words dont do it justice. Just go...
This place is SO fun. I went there with a friend and we had such a blast.
The drinks are reasonable and the house band is amazing. They take requests and even though I am not a Jazz/Funk /Blues fan, I knew every song they played. ("Lets Get it On" "Brick House" "Pink Cadillac")
The venue is really awesome inside. It is really dark and they have red Christmas lights everywhere, so it feels really sexy.
Only downfall is that the place is small so it gets crowded, which also makes parking tough.
I would definitely give Chars a shot. Like I said, I am not into Jazz/Funk/Blues but I had a lot of fun and the energy in there is great. Everyone is happy and enjoying themselves.
They mixed me a great gin and tonic here, and I dig the decor, low red twinkle lights and a bathtub-shaped beer tap "hub." So cute I actually took a picture, and I'm not a tourist. Bathrooms have swinging doors, which I like for some reason.
The band was covering classic funk, and snazzy-suited men took my money and held the door. Shirts tucked in, pressed pants and a nice hat and shoes snazzy, not "these are my best jeans" a la every other male bouncer ever employed in Phoenix. The makeshift patio space is comfortable, I get the feeling that (if it doesn't leak) it'd be awesome to sit out there on a rainy afternoon. Older clientele, but I didn't feel out of place, well, no more than at any other place I've gone. Definitely prefer the evening scene, it's just a little depressing during the day. The mark of a good night club!
This is THE blues bar to visit in Phoenix.
Wild and diverse crowd, amazing blues/jazz bands, and cheap drinks all wrapped up in a traditional dive-bar atmosphere. A dance floor and outdoor patio complete the ensemble. I always have a blast when I visit Char's.
Most weekends the place is totally packed. Parking can be an issue and the neighborhood is not exactly one of the swankiest in Phoenix..
I have never felt so cool, while trying so little, as when I am gulping down martinis at Char's.
This is the type of place that holds the idea of the smoky atmosphere even without the smoke. Everytime I go here I feel as though I have stepped back in time to a place where the blues are king, and the gin comes in a tub.
The music is loud, the dancefloor is crowded and the bathrooms are tiny...in short this place is amazing.
Hang out with the hippest of cats, from all demographics.
Please do not order girlie mixed shots with silly names as it makes the ghost of Robert Johnson cry when these sorts of things grace the bars of such genuine gin joints.
The drinks are simple, the music is great and the company can't be beat!
Welp. Â Its unavoidable to compare Chez Nous on Grand with Char's over on 7th Ave, so I will do a dual-analysis of these spots.
THE ATMOSPHERE:
Char's is just a friendlier place. Â Their doorman doesn't DEMAND his $5 like a put-out paperboy. Â Chez's does. Â Its kind of annoying and unsettling as your introduction to a night of hi-falutin drinking and lo-falutin boogieing. Â Char's clientle seems to be in higher spirits and more polite as well. Â Chez's are chilly. Â Burrr. Â If you stand in front of their seat to order a drink from the bar (because they went to go dance or something) they will let you know that you may NOT continue to stand there, even for a second. Â The bartenders at both places are sweet and quick about their service.
THE DRINKS:
Weak at both places, but IIRC, they are cheaper at Chez. Â The no-card policy at Chez is a nuisance, so Char's is preferable here. Â They both serve the typical booze and beer, so nothing really stands out other than the cost (Chez cheaper) and the convenience (Char's takes card).
THE MUSIC:
They are both MANIACALLY cool spots for some soul-funk-blues and great dance floors to boot. Â This is the main reason to but up with any inconveniences, small or large, at either place. Â
THE SET-UP:
Just packed at both places. Â If you want to come at a decent hour, you won't get a seat. Â So, just forget about it. Â Both buildings are pretty neat setups. Â Chez is more of a railroad-style-room, and Chars more of a dance-hall set up. Â Both have smoking patios, though Char's is small and quaint with tables and a busy atmosphere, while Chez's is (assuming) not complete and barren but large. Â
OVERALL:
Char's Has the Blues AND the lead over Chez due to the fact that I can't seem to get over the vibe that I don't belong to "The Secret Club" ...shhhhh ... over at Chez. Â But whatever, the drinks, music, and dancing will get me going at either place.
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