Charlie's Kitchen sells off steins, menus and signs while in limbo
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Charlie's Kitchen on Saturday. Photo: Steph Solis/Axios
Charlie's Kitchen was packed this weekend — not for its signature burgers and beers, but for an emergency sale.
Why it matters: The 75-year-old dive bar's best chances of survival, after suffering severe water damage in January, is to sell its historic decor, glasses and furniture, chef-owner David Oshima said.
Catch up quick: Charlie's Kitchen has been closed since Jan. 28 after a dishwasher malfunction caused severe flooding, electrical damage and a ceiling collapse.
- At the time, Oshima said he expected to renovate and reopen in a matter of months after filing an insurance claim, which is separate from the landlord's claim.
- Customers and local supporters donated more than $24,000 to help cover payroll and other expenses, but more than nine months later, Oshima said he's stuck waiting on the insurance claim to get processed.
What they're saying: "I can't really make plans until I know that … There's too many unknowns for me to keep waiting around for it," Oshima said.
- "This way I have some solid base to go on, to move forward with."
State of play: The sale drew crowds of customers and fans outside the Eliot Street restaurant for hours on Saturday and Sunday.
- They bought stein glasses, slow cookers, old brunch menus and matches with the original Charlie's Kitchen logo.
- In between the plates and cutlery were a Sun Cruiser vodka sign that lights up, a Fireball whisky cooler and all sorts of metal beer signs.
Zoom in: Customers shared memories of first dates, drunken shenanigans and trivia losses from their days at Charlie's.
- In turn, Oshima reaffirmed his commitment to do everything he can to reopen the dive bar.
- "I tried my whole life to get a restaurant like Charlie's," he said. "I finally had it. A year later, it was all gone."
Flashback: Everything seemed to be coming together at the start of the year.
- Oshima, who took over the business in 2025, had obtained new entertainment licenses and a club license.
- He had booked live bands and comedy gigs. He was resuming catering.
- Within weeks, it all came crashing down (literally — some of the building's first-floor ceilings collapsed).
Reality check: Even if Charlie's claim were processed today, Oshima said the building has so much damage to the ceilings, walls and electrical system that it would have to be gutted before he could prepare to reopen.
What we're watching: Oshima is working at The Curry Chapter, a pan-Indian restaurant on the other side of the building that his former manager owns.
- Otherwise, the waiting game with insurance continues: "My goal is to keep it going for another 75 years," he told Axios. "I didn't expect this to happen."