Charlie’s Ale House - Navy Pier

No Longer In Business

Visited on my first trip to Chicago after RBSG Grand Rapids.

I had this great idea that I was going to get up early (on a Sunday), take the Metra out of town, and hit a couple of breweries. When I got to the train station I saw that the trains only run a couple of times a day so rather than risk getting stranded at Luna I would just hike back along the water to where I was staying (Lakeview). That was a LONG walk but I managed to find this place. There was some kind of a fair going on so there were tons of people out on the pier. It was a family event mostly so after walking around a bit I went into the bar to see what was available.

The beer list wasn’t great but they did have some Bells, a few of the regular Goose line up, and a new Two Brothers beer (new to me) on french oak. I ordered a pint of that and hung out and talked to some of the other tourists that came and went from the bar. The bartender was nice and it was a pleasant way to spend an hour on a lazy Sunday afternoon but as others have mentioned, this is not a great beer destination, not that it matters now anyway.

As others have mention it’s not a craft beer spot. Nice people decent food crapy beer list. Very touristy as well. I’d take a pass on this joint.

AVOID IT! Not that good of a place. 6-8 taps of the usual BMC stuff 20 or so bottles Two hearted being the only good beer worth getting. Better off walking to rock bottom a mile away. Tourist place. ridiculous to get a seat at any time of the day. 2nd location in Adersonville, alot better but still not a top 20 place in chicago. Pass on this place if you can.

Had an early dinner with the family after a day at Navy Pier. Not a huge selection of food, but the food was very good. Probably the best mac n cheese I’ve had. Nice beer selection. I partook in a few black and blues. Small place with decent ambiance. I’d go back again...especially to try more beers.

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.

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.

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.

Overall score of 1 because it should not be added to the site.

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.

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.