Tools

Map

Charlie's Bar and Grill (Capitol Hill)

217 Broadway E
Seattle, Washington 98102
(206) 323-2535
Website

Charlie's is a Broadway institution. It opened in 1976, in a building built in 1914. The interior is an indescribable shabby/glam old-fashioned mishmash, in a good way—kind of like a chain restaurant but with a heart. The food's like a chain restaurant too, and if you stick with the simpler diner standards, you'll be satisfied in a chainy-dinery way (that is to say, don't expect to be blown away). Charlie's bar, all the way in the back, is a haven from all things upscale—some nachos or a very basic happy hour burger here, plus a strong well drink and a game of pool, sometimes hits the spot exactly right.
Hours: Daily 9 am-2 am
Categories: Bar, Restaurant

Restaurant Details

Bar Details

The Stranger's Reviews of Charlie's Bar and Grill

 
 

Average Rating:
  • 3.25000/5 Stars.
Reviews/Comments (12) RSS

Newest First Unregistered On Registered On Add a review of Charlie's Bar and Grill
12

I recently had dinner at chalie's on broadway and the food was okay but what I really had a problem with was it was very dirty the booth we were seated at had dirt that was at least one inch thick. Then I started looking around and the whole area needed a good cleaning. It took my appetite away. If the place is dirty I wonder about the food. It's not the charlie"s I remember five years ago. I am thinking about reporting you to the health department but you have been there as long as I can remember and l am 63. clean up
Posted by Seniorpat on May 13, 2012 at 11:10 PM · Report
Queenie_Gore 11

Good time all around

Went there for happy hour & to my surprise it lasted till 7! Our waitress (Janette) Was so wonderful & attentive & very much unlike most servers i've had on the hill with the attitude that i was putting them out by being there.

Drinks were nice & strong,happy hour food was the normal bar fare & tasted good.. I would totally go back again
Posted by Queenie_Gore on February 18, 2011 at 1:26 PM · Report
10

Eat here at your own risk


Charlie's is alright most of the time, but wait until you bite into something unexpected, such as the toothpick in my sandwich which knocked out my top front tooth.

If you eat at Charlie's, be prepared for hard objects to be inside your food, be prepared to to come home without all your teeth, unable to ever bite into a steak or a sandwich again, and be prepared for proprietor Ken Bauer to tell you that your predicament is not his or his insurer's concern.

I strongly recommend closely inspecting any food you've ordered from Charlie's before trying to eat it. This is not a place you want to bring a date, a business associate, or a friend - not if you care about his/her teeth or your reputation.
Posted by Timothy Usher on April 26, 2010 at 4:17 AM · Report
9

Excelent food--just don't get the steak

Mozzarella sticks so good you want to crumble to the floor. Just don't get the steak, but that's kind of my fault.
Posted by myra on April 15, 2010 at 1:19 PM · Report
8

The kind of place I take my Mom to

What can I say about Charlies that hasn't been said already? The food is good. I've yet to get something that was hot, fresh, and easily devoured. Nothing fancy here though, just good basic food. The prices are cheap as well. If you don't eat meat I suggest you try anything made with their Field Roast. That stuff is delicious! The field roast reuben totally had me wanting seconds even with it being served on a bed of sliced pickles (so pick it up real quick so it doesn't get all juicy on the bottom) Good food, great place to eat before going to Le Faux!
Posted by ErBear on June 26, 2008 at 9:14 AM · Report
7

The perfect fallback

Sometimes you just wind up in a group and everybody wants to eat something different and nobody can decide where to go. When that happens, we go to Charlie's where the ones who want steak can get steak, the ones who want salad can get salad, etc. They have everything! And great drinks and good service and we always have a great, relaxing time. Their Clam Chowder on Friday's is the best ever.
Posted by Trent on May 26, 2008 at 9:46 AM · Report
6

A plate of broken dreams‎

I just ate the Prime Rib French Dip, and I believe they taunted the cow before they slaughtered it, for nothing else would explain the bloodlessness of the meat. Horrendous, absolutely disgusting. The smell of the flaccid pickles that came as a garnish were the only thing that flavored the vile thing if you count out my disgust at having paid nine dollars for it. The thin, greasy gravy they try and call au jus would be better put to use as a laxative. Our server had more snoot than experience, and the ladies room smells like they cleaned it with the au jus.
Posted by Lori on April 5, 2008 at 5:19 PM · Report
5

Very comfortable

My daughter and I visited Seattle this past weekend and just happened across Charlie's. We enjoyed a wonderful meal, reasonably priced in a very comfortable atmosphere! The staff was pleasant and attentive. Our waiter, Walter, was wonderful... and gorgeous!
Posted by B Ryan on September 3, 2007 at 10:44 AM · Report
4

Love the food...service..eh, not so much.

Food's great and at a decent price. But I've stopped eating there recently due to the waitress in the bar who seems to feel rather 'put out' that she has to do her job...not that shes doing it.
Posted by Bleck on July 19, 2007 at 6:52 PM · Report
3

Decor great food!

Charlie's is an excellent restaurant for a first date, casual date...or even to go for dinner with your mom! The food is medium-priced and high quality. I highly recommend the blackened New York strip steak salad (although sadly this is one of the "specials" so it is not always on the menu.) Their burgers are also excellent. They have crazy, yet tasteful, decor and giant chandeliers. And on top of all that, they serve 1554, and delicious porter that is very difficult to find in other bars/restaurants for some reason. They also have a full bar in the back for those who want to hang out and play pool and listen to a decent juke box. Charlie's is one of my favorite restaurants in town!
Posted by Shawnooke on July 18, 2007 at 11:44 AM · Report
2

Old Timey Good Times

Good place to go when you have a big group and haven't made reservations anywhere. One of the few places that serves breakfast late 7 days a week and their Eggs Benedict is perfect. The decor recalls hanging out in the smoking parlor with Grandpa. Of course, this being Seattle, there is no smoking. And Grandpa's dead.
Posted by Baxter on June 27, 2007 at 3:31 PM · Report
1

waitpeople rock

Although the host there absolutely detests us (we can tell), there are wonderful waitpeople who are heavenly and willing to separate orders and checks. The food is super, super mediocre (though some of us are unabashedly loyal to the Chicken Fried Steak). But we can't think of a place that has been more accomodating to a large group such as ourselves.
Posted by Brunch Club on June 25, 2007 at 2:58 PM · Report

Add a review


Click the stars.

Optional

Charlie's Bar and Grill
Nearby and Recommended

Glo's (Restaurant)
Capitol Hill 1621 E Olive Way    phone (206) 324-2577
  • 3.17000/5 Stars.
 (based on 12 reader reviews)
Piecora's (Bar, Restaurant)
Capitol Hill 1401 E Madison St    phone (206) 322-9411
  • 3.07000/5 Stars.
 (based on 15 reader reviews)
Ballet (Restaurant)
Capitol Hill 914 E Pike St    phone (206) 328-7983
  • 4.27000/5 Stars.
 (based on 11 reader reviews)
Kingfish Cafe (Bar, Restaurant)
Capitol Hill 602 19th Ave E    phone (206) 320-8757
  • 3.84000/5 Stars.
 (based on 19 reader reviews)
Bill's Off Broadway (Bar, Restaurant)
Capitol Hill 725 E Pine St    phone (206) 323-7200
  • 3.30000/5 Stars.
 (based on 10 reader reviews)
HoneyHole (Bar, Restaurant)
Capitol Hill 703 E Pike St    phone (206) 709-1399
  • 3.68000/5 Stars.
 (based on 19 reader reviews)

Are we missing something?

Need to correct our info about Charlie's Bar and Grill?

!Add or Edit
Location

The Stranger Suggests

Critics' Best Bets
Music Arts & Food