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Charlie's Austin
Rating Details »
Neighborhood: Downtown
1301 Lavaca St
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 474-6481
1301 Lavaca St
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 474-6481
- Hours:
Mon-Fri. 11:30 a.m. - 3:00 a.m.
Sat-Sun. 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 a.m.
- Parking:
- Street, Garage, Private Lot
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Music:
- DJ
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Sat, Sun
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
11 reviews for Charlie's Austin
It's going to be hard to hide my bias in favor of this bar, but I'll try and explain exactly how Charlie's is.
Gay bars are a funny thing. They're hard to rate because so many elements are at work: you have qualty of drinks, bartenders, attitude, shows, etc. What works for one queen could be hell on earth for another. For this queen, it all comes together at Charlie's.
I first stepped into Charlie's four or five years ago, newly out and scouting the Austin scene. In the early 2000's (and I'm guessing a long time before then), Charlie's had the reputation of being the place where...shall we say, "older gentlemen" preferred to meet. Basically if you were wearing Cavalli snakeskin print jeans and body glitter, you were going to be walking into an old fart's convention and want to flit away. Not being one to listen to other people's pissy word of mouth, I went anyway.
What I found was the equivalent of a friendly neighborhood bar, except it was right next to the Capitol and the patrons were unashamedly gay. It's a little rough around the edges physically, but the atmosphere more than makes up for this. It's also the only gay bar, here in 2009, that I feel comfortable going to alone, because I know not more than 5 minutes will pass before I find an old friend or new acquaintence to talk to.
As an I-only-smoke-when-I-drink kinda smoker, 95% of my time at Charlie's is spent on the outdoor patio and bar, which has a dynamic all of its own completely independent of the inside (which frankly, I find is much more exciting outside). It's a great place for me to bring my straight friends, because they have pool tables, cheap beer, and the customers are polite and won't attack the straight boys. It's a great place to go watch a football game, meet a friend for a drink, etc., except we can do it in a homosexual-friendly environment.
They usually have dick dancers roaming around, but I generally ignore them, as they're straight and I'm too smart with my money then to put it in their G-string just because they're hot. Actually, I've taken out a couple bucks from a G-string from a gogo boy who owed me a drink. But they're perfect for coralling if you bring a straight gal pal or two, so you're both happy.
I've spent countless nights and way too much money at this place, but it's my Gay Cheers. I've had dates that ended very well here. I've made mortal enemies and then become friends in about the span of an hour here. I've witnessed bachelorette parties, had champagne on my birthday, and even caught Obama's Inaugural address here where we all did a shot for history. It may not be for everyone, but it's certainly for me!
I am truly sad how Charlies has gone down hill in the past 6 months. Did you know it is know as DIRTY CHARLIES? The bartenders suck and the Nighttime/General manager seems to allow drug use happen all over the bar. It just use to be in the bathrooms, but now it's everywhere. I will be spending my time at the Rusty Spur.
This is my favorite gay bar in Austin. As a middle aged gent, I feel very comfortable here, unlike places such as Rain and Oil Can's, where you only feel a part of the crowd if you are 25 and in skintight jeans. There's a really mixed crowd and everyone is always very friendly. Seems I always meet new friends. Charlie's feels like a relaxed neighborhood bar and they have a steak night where a steak or chicken meal is $6. The djs play a great mix of tunes including classic disco from the 70s and 80s. If you are into the trendy snob vibe, move right on. But if you like a place with genuinely friendly people and a sense of fun, check this bar out.
It's true, Charlie's is not Kiss and Fly... It's not even Rain. However, if it were, Austin would have the same bar in two locations. It may be a little rough looking on the inside -- a few too many unclean carpets, but Charlie's is a really is a good time.
Friday is all day $1.50 wells (with $3 cover). Our bartender, Josh was the best... awfully charming and very accommodating. The dancers were a lot of fun to chat with, but the company is what you make it. I brought my own, so I was happy. At midnight, they offered free breakfast tacos. I did not partake, but they were there.
I was recently here and this is what my opinion is:
Pros:
-Next to the capito - close to downtown.
-Parking
-Large place
-Patio
-Cheap drink night
-Pool tables & TV
Cons:
-Tiny dance floor
-yucky dancers
-Jaimie the drag queen
-have to buy 3 cheap drinks to equal 1 good one.
-Under dressed people.
I love going there to meet my friends and have the drinks with them. So far, I have yet find a cute woman to go home with, but that is okay. lol.
Oh, I had to add something I forget to mention. I am profoundly deaf, so finding a nice bar is hard for me. Charlie's have more people who can sign or do not mind to writing with me (to communicate with me). On the Fridays and Saturdays, there is a better bet for these kind of people to be there. Can't wait for this coming Friday!
Charlies is great!!!
This bar is a far cry from the glitzy Rain and trendy Oilcan's.
Charlie's is what it is, it's Charlie's! There are no fancy lights or TV's to draw you in. It's more of a locals bar, like a Cheers.
I go to Charlies when I want a low key night and to have cheap drinks. You don't have to get real dressed up at all.
All Austin gay bars are really good. There's good variety, and on any given night, there are specials at one club or another. Some even have FREE food. But I've never managed to get the free food.
I like the outside bar here. Warm, friendly, a lot of upscale crowd. Very few women. But who's complaining at a gay club? My friend won 3rd place In a best bootie contest and got drinks bought for him all night.The drag shows are supposed to be pretty cool here.
If you are into the gay scene and don't want to compete with 18 year old teenybopper boys, check it out. Ive heard this is a hangout for the business people and politician types.
And its far enough away from the 4th street scene to have a very different vibe from oilcans and rain.
Feeling even better about Charlies after the drag show last night. Had some more great times!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/30/2008
One of those places I just go to relax...now. Being one of those lucky straight people with a gay… Read more »
RIGHT next door to the Capitol building.
Just a short walk for Rick Perry...
Ghetto.
Cheap.
Sad.
But convenient!
Located near the Capitol complex and suprisingly a methodist church... Charlie's is one of Austin's oldest gay bars. Friday's are popular as you can get $1 well drinks after paying a 3$ cover - an affordable way to start the weekend. Music here is pretty much top 40/r&b - lots of spice girls, shakira, brandy, madonna, and whitney. Drag shows here are very fun. I hear Karoke night is also a fun night.
