Next stop: Beer!
CHARLIE'S BAR
Hours: 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily
Location: 1222 S. King St.
(Inside Zippy's Makiki)
Phone: 594-3720
THERE'S something special about Zippy's Makiki on South King Street. No, it's not the yummy chili, and it's not the fact that they're open 24 hours a day, either. Of the two dozen or so Zippy's locations on Oahu, Zippy's Makiki is one of only three that house a stand-alone bar (Zippy's Wahiawa and Vineyard are the other two homes of Charlie's Bar).
Now you might be thinking that a bar at Zippy's is no big deal, but the Barfly would beg to differ. Those of us who know the late-night routine are familiar with one's dining choices after midnight: Jack in the Box, 7-Eleven and Zippy's are three that most easily come to mind. Charlie's Bar lets you kill two birds with one stone; here it's possible to grab a cold bottle of Bud Light to go with your Zip Pac before heading home for the night.
Another thing the Barfly appreciates about this place is its unassuming location. You won't be able to find a door leading into the from the parking lot, but don't get frustrated. Walk inside like you're going to sit down for a meal, but when the hostess asks how many, loudly proclaim "Next Stop: BEER!" and head around the corner to the right. While she stands there dumbfounded, head inside and grab a seat; a dozen barstools line the bar itself, while another four booths and five tables provide room to spread out with friends.
While drink prices are reasonable and Zippy's full menu is available, don't expect to make a love connection if you decide to stop here. On the night the Barfly landed at Charlie's Bar with Drinking Buddy in tow, we counted eight guys (who had to be over 60 years old, at least) just lounging outside the restaurant, smoking cigarettes and talking story like a pack of teenagers. And of all the people inside the bar, we were easily the youngest ones there. Pick-up artists are better off trying their luck somewhere else.
For those of you who want to unwind with a cold one and grab a bite to eat, however, the Barfly has no problem suggesting a stop at Charlie's Bar. It's far enough off the beaten path that there shouldn't be a crowd when you visit, and the watering hole's 1:30 a.m. last call means you can make a night out of it at this place, too. Next time you're out and about with friends, suggest a nightcap in Makiki at Charlie's Bar.
How much for a Bud Light?
Bottles of Bud Light will set you back $2.65 at Charlie's Bar, except during happy hour (Monday through Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m.) when the price drops to $2.15. Don't ask the Barfly why the prices are kind of funky -- anything under $3 is fine by me. Heineken and Corona bottles are also available, as are cocktails and wine.
Get things to do?
A single television hangs from a corner near the bar for customers to watch; otherwise there is nothing to do at Charlie's Bar but eat and drink. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but a few more televisions and/or a Megatouch machine or two would really help to provide more comfort for those who decide to stop by for a drink.
What about the grinds?
One word: Zippy's. Both the Barfly and Drinking Buddy are fans of late-night dining here, and the full menu is available while having drinks at the bar. The 8-ounce rib steak ($11.95) with mashed potatoes and chili burrito plate ($4.40) we ordered arrived just five minutes after we ordered it -- try to get service that quick at some of the other bars around town! New items on Zippy's menu include chicken katsu curry ($6.25), popcorn chicken with fries ($4.05) and a limited breakfast menu that's available 24 hours a day.
And the help?
There was only one employee on duty when the Barfly landed at Charlie's Bar earlier this week, but we didn't have any trouble getting a beer or ordering food. The bartender also made it a point to come back and check on us between chats with a few regulars he knew.
Barfly appears every Friday in Star-Bulletin Weekend.
E-mail Jason Genegabus at jason@starbulletin.com with suggestions of neighborhood bars to visit.
