We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The TripAdvisor website may not display properly.
We support the following browsers: Windows: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome. Mac: Safari.

Home
- >
  Caribbean
- >
  Aruba
- >
  San Nicolas
- >
  San Nicolas Restaurants
- > Charlie's Bar & Restaurant

Charlie's Bar & Restaurant

Zeppenfeldstraat 56 | San Nicolas, San Nicolas, Aruba

+297 584-5086

Website

Update restaurant details

30 visitor photos

Ranked #3 of 5 restaurants in San Nicolas

71 Reviews

Price range: $12 - $31

Cuisines: International

More restaurant details

Restaurant details

Good for: Bar Scene

Dining options: Lunch Spot, Dinner, After-hours

Description: Charlie’s Bar & Restaurant was founded on September 18, 1941 by a Dutch couple, Charles and Marie Brouns. They chose their location in San Nicolas as it was close to the large Lago Refinery: this provided a steady stream of clientele in the form of seamen, contractors, and oil workers.Over the years, Charlie’s Bar became a destination returned to by countless friends from the past, accompanied by new patrons anxious to visit what has become an iconic island institution…”If you haven’t been to Charlie’s you don’t know Aruba!”Today, Charlie’s Bar is recognized as one of the Top Ten Bars in the Caribbean; and is a must see destination for first time visitors who will undoubtedly encounter and enjoy the company of many repeat clientele from literally all over the world. Everyone comes for the ambiance; the real connoisseurs are here to enjoy the intercontinental cuisine offered by Charlie’s Menu. Everything from jumbo shrimp to fine tenderloin steaks and fresh local seafood are at your beck and call. The menu is varied and prepared fresh each and every day try our “Honeymoon Sauce” with your entrée (if you like things real hot) or tone it down with our Creole style of preparation. Daily specials and home made snacks round out the menu for the inquisitive diner.Presently, your host, Charlito (the third generation Charlie) says, “Everything we do is focused on one thing, creating an unforgettable memory that will leave you wanting to return.”

Write a Review

71 reviews from our community

Innvic

Chester, Vermont

Senior Contributor

32 reviews

21 restaurant reviews

Reviews in 16 cities

20 helpful votes

“One of Aruba's Wonders”

Reviewed 14 April 2013

We proudly rate this wonderful "local" restaurant as one of the finest we have been to in Aruba. A MUST visit, Charlie's Bar & Restaurant is worth every minute it takes you to get there. The food is great! Charlie the III will cook for you. Enjoy the atmosphere of memorable items from around the world from visitors who have... More

Was this review helpful? Yes

Problem with this review?

See 2 more reviews by Innvic for San Nicolas

Dear Innvic, thank you for your time and nice review. We feel honored and are proud to carry on a legacy and love to hear about happy costumers. We are also grateful to the contributors of memorabilia and have currently different items on a "waiting list" so it is almost impossible to see it all.:) The Carrubian festival has been... More

donjef

Charlotte, NC

Contributor

11 reviews

3 restaurant reviews

Reviews in 9 cities

10 helpful votes

“Such an amazing bar”

Reviewed 9 April 2013

The place is so interesting. Wasn't that easy to find, but all you have to do is ask someone. Walk around and look at all the cool artifacts they have acquired through the years. Great food, too

Was this review helpful? Yes

Problem with this review?

Dear Donjef, thank you so much for your review. You have just passed the test for getting to know the island.:) The government is working on improving the infrastructure. Unfortunately it is taking longer than planned and the detour signs are poor. Meanwhile we are looking for alternatives to improve directions to Charlie's Bar. Customers can check out our facebook... More

lifewithaview

Diboll, Texas, United States

Senior Contributor

27 reviews

11 restaurant reviews

Reviews in 15 cities

6 helpful votes

“So much to see!”

Reviewed 21 March 2013

The entire restaurant is cram packed with odds and ends. You find something new to look at every time you turn your head. There are pictures covering almost every square inch of the walls and the ceiling has tons of items hanging from it. We didn't eat but had some drinks and made some friends from another country.

See all photos

Was this review helpful? Yes

Problem with this review?

Dear lifewithaview, thank you for your review and for posting your pictures and sharing your experience. Hope to see you back. More

drSegula

Nova Gorica, Slovenia

Senior Contributor

23 reviews

20 restaurant reviews

Reviews in 15 cities

8 helpful votes

“Legendary and unique”

Reviewed 5 March 2013

I am returning to this unique place for third year now, staff, food (especially Passapalo - local way of preparing tenderloin - must try) and atmosphere (interior decoration like nowhere on the planet) is always the same - GREAT. Charlie's bar was opened in 1941 and it's look is just getting better and better every year - go and check... More

Was this review helpful? Yes

Problem with this review?

Dear Miha S, thank you for your trust in us and for taking time to write a review. We hope we can keep welcoming you. Our guests are all legendary and unique in their own way too. Many leave a a memorabilia behind and become form part of us. Hope to see you soon! More

NotlerRay

Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada

Senior Contributor

26 reviews

21 restaurant reviews

Reviews in 16 cities

19 helpful votes

“Go once”

Reviewed 4 March 2013

On our 5th trip to Aruba we decided we should finally go to Charlie's Bar. We did not order food but had a couple drinks, lots of history in this place that will keep you rubber necking as long as you sit there. Glad we went, but once is enough.

Was this review helpful? Yes

Problem with this review?

Dear NotlerRay, thank you for visiting us and taking time to write a review. We hope you continue exploring this side of the island which has so much to offer. As opposed to the hotel area we have pretty much remained the same over the years. This has it's pro's and con's. A pro is that San Nicolas and Charlie's... More

bmoliver0

West Richland, Washington

Senior Contributor

38 reviews

28 restaurant reviews

Reviews in 21 cities

9 helpful votes

“Great Food - a little pricey though”

Reviewed 15 February 2013

Had a great family dinner here when visiting Aruba. The food was good and the service was great. The only negative was the prices were a bit higher than expected. Great ambiance. A cautionary note, the bar/restaurant was on the edge of the red-light district of St. Nicolas. Was ok for us, but some families may want to stay away.... More

Was this review helpful? Yes

Problem with this review?

Dear bmoliver0, Thank you for your review. We are glad to hear you enjoyed the food and service. All entrees include bread, a side salad and french fries or rice. In order to accommodate lower budgets we offer the bar bites and appetizers. Or we offer a special of the day. We hope you visit a next time so you... More

WisconsinSunfun

wisconsin

Senior Reviewer

6 reviews

4 restaurant reviews

Reviews in 5 cities

“fun place with good food”

Reviewed 14 February 2013

we stopped at san nicolas for the light parade and had read about Charlie's bar in the book "an island away" so we had a wonderful fresh fish dinner and went to the back of the restaurant and had a good view of the light parade for carnival. we had good food and was interesting to see all the collections... More

Was this review helpful? Yes

Problem with this review?

Dear WisconsinSunFun, Thank you for your review. We are happy to hear you had a great time. Carnival in Aruba and specially San Nicolas is a great opportunity to meet locals and experience our culture. It is always a challenge to get in or out of the Carnival route but you made it. An "island away" gives an impression of... More

jacqueline d

Boston, Massachusetts

Senior Reviewer

7 reviews

6 restaurant reviews

Reviews in 6 cities

3 helpful votes

“All time favorite.”

Reviewed 12 February 2013

Charlie's is the answer to the disheartened Aruban tourist. Did you think you were going to see fewer Senor Frogs and more legitimate bar culture? Get in a car and go to San Nicholas and follow the signs to Charlie's. When you park your car, don't be careless and leave your DLSR on the backseat. People complain about crime in... More

Was this review helpful? Yes

Problem with this review?

Dear jacqueline d, thank you for your review. It is as you describe if you are expecting any type of franchise operation you arrive at the wrong address in San Nicolas. The best way to get to Charlie's Bar is by renting a car as you wrote. It is an approximately 14 mile ride and a great opportunity for sightseeing.... More

cammiedog

Cleves, Ohio

Senior Contributor

26 reviews

17 restaurant reviews

Reviews in 8 cities

19 helpful votes

“We have to visit here every time!”

Reviewed 6 February 2013

We have been visiting Charlie's since 2005. We made the trek to San Nicolaas on Jan 3, our last night on the island. We have been made to feel very welcome here. (I tried to review this much earlier but since I've done a review in the past it wouldn't let me in.) I am a big fan of dive... More

Was this review helpful? Yes

Problem with this review?

cammiedog has 1 more review of Charlie's Bar & Restaurant

“Sad to read these reviews”

Reviewed 31 March 2011

Dear camiedog, thank you for your trust in us. We hope to keep welcoming you! You are so right the experience of Charlie's Bar and Restaurant or any other place depends on one's mindset or attitude. More

M J

Houston, Texas

Senior Contributor

43 reviews

15 restaurant reviews

Reviews in 25 cities

21 helpful votes

“A Cool Bar with mediocre food”

Reviewed 3 February 2013

We were in the neighborhood for an event and arrived early so we decided to have lunch at Charlies Bar. Charlies has been here for generations and is the quintessential neighborhood dive bar. While it may be a great place to hang out and have a couple of beers, the food leaves much to be desired. I had the fish... More

Was this review helpful? Yes

Problem with this review?

Dear Sir M J, we cannot twist about taste and respect your opinion. However we don’t think it is fair that you make such serious accusations based upon one experience. We feel honored to carry on a legacy and would not ruin our reputation on purpose. If you had chosen to tell us personally at that moment you would have... More