Chez Charlie's

It's been over three years since I first found Chez Charlie's and gave it a four star review.

Since that time, I have been there at all times of day with all types of crowds and it still remains one of my favorite places to have a drink in Kansas City. I have hung with the hipsters, the day drinkers, the after workers and the early birders. I have heard the DJ's, played the dart boards and read the Playboys. I have drank, talked and laughed in this dark and unassuming bar.

So here's an upgrade to five long overdue stars Chez Charlie's because, as I said in 2010, if you like a little dive in your bars, it's a place you shouldn't miss.

Ambiance:
*Good divey place in at the end of the street of bars.
*Chill place to take it easy and play darts.

Food:
*tba

We weren't sure we were at the right place because they don't have a sign out front.  We weren't sure what to expect as we sat down and wondered what kind of clientele we might find in this hole-in-the-wall.  

But the reviews don't lie.  The bartender turned on the jukebox, and it put us at ease.

It's definitely an old dive bar that's been around forever.  It has the comfort of a local bar. CC has beer and liquor and a couple of bar snacks for purchase like peanuts and chips.  The bartender was a cool guy to chat with, content to visit while we waited but not hovering if we were talking with our friend.  We got there fairly early in the evening, and he said the place really picks up around 9 or 10.  There is a DJ some nights, while on other special nights, the owner makes tasty things to share in a crockpot. There are several TVs -- a couple of them were playing the football game, while others were playing non-sports things like Law & Order and a black-and-white movie.

I thought the graffiti in the ladies' room was entertaining rather than raunchy.  I giggled at a sketch of "no-shave November" and a couple of inspirational drunken quotes, the usual phone numbers and "[girl's name] was here" scribbles not found.

Our friend, who suggested the place, loves Chez Charlie and it's his favorite low-key bar. Seems like a fun place, a business we're looking forward to going back to.