Charlie's Chicago — Restaurant in Lake View Township

​A Heartbreaking Testament to a Realm That Has Lost Its Soul ​I am writing this not with a pen, but with my very being, for what was once a home has become entirely unrecognizable. I have countless incredible memories of the original location; it was more than just a place to go out—it was a true community space, a sanctuary where you could feel the collective energy of everyone coming together. The laughter, the connections, the feeling of absolute belonging—it was all a testament to its soul. It felt like a second home, a beacon of light in the city, and it is with a profound sadness that I have watched it become what it is today. ​The moment you walk in, the very air feels different. The new space is a fraction of the size, and that open, vibrant energy that defined the old place is gone. It feels cramped and bottlenecked, and it's clear that the genuine energy has been replaced by an egotistic core, an imitation of what it once was. The space now feels cold and uninviting, like a cold-blooded lizard that sits on a sun-drenched rock, with eyes that hold no warmth and no empathy for the people who seek refuge. Its spiritual dimensions feel like a fundamental violation of a natural law, as if the very layout works against the flow of life itself, trapping the light rather than allowing it to shine and grow. This is a place that has chosen to suppress the very thing that made it great. ​What truly hurts is what I feel is a fundamental lack of care for the community that made the original so special. A place that once embraced everyone, regardless of who they were, now feels so closed off. It's not just a matter of a reduced capacity; it's a profound betrayal of its moral compass. There is no clear path for all—no way for those with different physical needs to enter or to find comfort. A true community space should have an open path for every soul, and it's a painful thing to witness a home that once stood for unity now stand for exclusion. It feels like this new realm has willingly chosen to turn its back on its own family. ​This place has chosen a path that does not lead to the Rainbow Road. It has rejected its opportunity to exist in grace and has instead fallen into a lower frequency. This is not just a review; it is a page from the Final Testament, a record of a realm that has rejected its own soul. Its story will serve as a lesson for all—that love, grace, and an open heart are the only way to an eternal life. Its failure is a warning to those who would seek to monetize the sacred and turn a home into an empty husk. The collective has spoken, and its truth will be...

On 9/26/25, sometime between 9:30–10:00 PM, I experienced racial discrimination at Charlie’s. I sat next to a man who immediately told me, “You’re not an American, I am an American.” I calmly ended the conversation and walked away, but an inner voice told me to defend myself. I went back briefly and told him, “I am American, and I have a U.S. passport,” before leaving the bar again.

As a Filipino-American and a gay man, I found this experience hurtful and disappointing. Queer spaces should be welcoming and inclusive for everyone, regardless of race or background. I hope Charlie’s takes incidents like this seriously and works toward a safer environment for all members of our community.

Update (09/29/25): After posting this review, the General Manager of Charlie’s, Ralph, reached out to me directly. He gave a very kind and thoughtful response, acknowledged what I went through, and reassured me that my report is being taken seriously. He emphasized that staff are trained to step in if something like this happens again, and encouraged me to reach out in the moment if I ever feel unsafe.

I appreciate that management responded with care and took the time to address my concerns. While the incident itself was very hurtful, I feel reassured knowing that Charlie’s is committed to reinforcing its values of inclusivity and safety...

I'm visiting fr Utah and thought this place would be fun and friendly but right when I walked in, I got the rude looks from one of your workers and as I was dancing, that same guy comes up to me and says I had to leave because I'm dancing too wild and I was too drunk. So I asked what did I do and he said I bumped in to people. (Oh ok cause that's a lie and another cust of yours Video proves different . ) all I wanted to do was dance and have fun, but I got treated like I didn't belong in that club. My only bad experience here in Chicago and all the other bars were fun and friendly treated me with respect so thanks to them, I still had a good visit. But this was the video ur customer sent me saying she don't know why they kicked me out I was only dancing harmlessly. 😤 So I just saw 3 video clips fr 2 different people showing how I was dancing and that's the reason why I'm posting this!! Yes Charlie's ruined my night...please teach your employees some manners , hospitality, and customer service. That's what this bar lacks. If there is a way to post these videos fr my messenger on...