Charlie’s Ale House (Navy Pier)

5/18/2008 6:43:43 PM, sunday, may 18, 2008
Not too bad for a tourist destination. Had fat tire and a sample of magic hat. Had some other decent beers including duvel. Food was pretty good and customers were dece. I’d go again if I happened to be in the area.

1/10/2008 1:40:23 PM, thursday, january 10, 2008
This is a decent Applebees-style restaurant on Navy Pier, which instantly inflates prices on everything. I didn’t find anything that I wanted to drink, so I did not have a beer. The food was decent. frankenkitty is accurate on all counts.

4/30/2007 11:47:10 AM, monday, april 30, 2007
Was oin the Pier April 29th 2007. Stopped in this place just to scout it out for the site. Didnt drink anytihng and decided it wasnt worth a second look. Then came to the site to find that it was already added. It shouldnt be. Please see Frankenkitty’s review as he hit the nail on the head.

2/16/2007 10:27:37 AM, friday, february 16, 2007 [ Updated friday, february 16, 2007 ]
Christ... WHY HAS THIS BEEN LISTED ON A BEER LOVER’S WEBSITE???

We were out on the Pier last August and stopped at this joint looking for some respite from the heat while waiting to board a free cruise (score!). The staff left us alone with our lemon-wedge-tainted Hacker Pschorrs until the work-crowd began descending. Then they started getting shitty, making us order food lest we had to abandon our table. What a great place to relax with a beer! (Maybe I don’t always want to sit "at the bar".) Anyway, we ordered a couple of mediocre appetizers and that was that.

As far as their beer selection, they offered a contract-brew with the "Charlie’s" name slapped on it and a beer-menu on par with Bennigan’s. Yeah... this is alot like a Bennigan’s with a lake-view. (Tiny-ass bathrooms, too.)

To sum it up, Charlie’s is not a "beer destination". Stop here to get out of the heat and get quenched. DON’T stop here expecting anything above mediocrity. When you’re done with the Pier attractions (and may I reccommend the stained-glass museum), hop in a cab and say "State & Grand" ... or simply walk one mile due west to find yourself at Rock Bottom Chicago and be done with it.

12/11/2006 2:26:57 PM, monday, december 11, 2006 [ Updated monday, december 11, 2006 ]
My husband and I have eaten here at lest four seperate times on our travels to Chicago. In the summer is best, as you can sit out on their patio overlooking Lake Michigan. The service is ALWAYS excellent, the food is great, and the beer selection is better than average for a tourist destination. They offer basic pub grub as well as several nice salads, and traditional dinners like Meatloaf, Salmon, etc...Nice menu! Check them out on your next stop to Chicago.