Charlie's Lakeside Bar and Grill sits right on the water where locals have been gathering for decades, and honestly, it's become the heart of our community in ways that go way beyond just gaming. You'...
Charlie's Lakeside Bar and Grill sits right on the water where locals have been gathering for decades, and honestly, it's become the heart of our community in ways that go way beyond just gaming. You'll find everyone here from retired fishermen nursing their morning coffee to families celebrating birthdays in our grill section, mixed in with serious poker players and folks just looking for a fun weekend night out. What really sets Charlie's apart from the bigger casino operations two hours away is that personal touch—the bartenders know regulars by name, and the owner still walks the floor most nights. The lakeside location is absolutely gorgeous, especially at sunset when you can see the water from the bar, and there's something special about catching walleye in the morning and playing blackjack that evening. We're talking about a place where your money stays local and actually supports our town's schools and community programs through their annual fundraisers.
From its founding in 1987 to today, Charlie's Lakeside Bar and Grill has grown into one of the region's most trusted gaming and entertainment destinations.
Charlie Morrison, a local businessman who'd run a succesful bait shop for years, decided to open up something bigger right on the lake—and boy did the community show up. The original building was actually pretty modest, just a small wooden structure with maybe twelve gaming tables and a cozy bar area with thse big picture windows overlooking the water. On opening day in June there must've been five hundred people lined up before they even unlocked the doors, and the local paper ran this big article about 'finally having somewhere fun to spend a Saturday night' without driving out of county. They started with mostly blackjack and poker tables, a few slot machines, and a simple grill menu that honestly became just as famous as the gaming floor. The whole vibe was so diferent from those corporate casino chains—Charlie wanted it to feel like a place where neighbors could gather, not like you were entering some glitzy Vegas knockoff.
After years of steady business, the casino doubled in size and completley renovated the bar area, adding that beautiful mahogany counter and upgrading the kitchen to handle way more customers. They expanded the gaming floor from twelve to thirty-five tables and added a whole new section dedicated to high-limit poker rooms that attracted serious players from three states over. The lakeside views got even better when they put in those floor-to-ceiling windows on the east wall—I remember sitting there one afternoon and thinking how perfect it felt for a venue like this. Local contractors did most of the work, so you saw community members benefiting directy from the expansion, and Charlie made a point of hiring from within the region. By the end of that year, they'd become the biggest employer in our county outside of the school district and timber operations.
The grill section got a serious facelift with a new executive chef from Minneapolis who actually understands local ingredients and seasonal specials—their walleye po'boys became legendary around here. They also upgraded all the gaming systems with newer touchscreen technology while keeping that classic feel that regulars loved, and added a whole new sports book section with twenty flatscreens so people could watch games while playing. The kitchen went from maybe serving 150 people a night to handling 400-plus covers without skipping a beat, and they still manage to get their beef from local ranchers two miles up the road. That same year they introduced their loyalty rewards program, which sounds corporate but honestly it was designed specifically for our locals—lower point requirements, monthly drawing for community events, that kind of thing. The waterfront patio opened that summer too, and it completly changed the social dinamics of the place, especially during summer festival season.
Charlie's invested in solar panels covering half the roof and completely redesigned their waste management system, which honestly impressed a lot of us who'd been worried about their environmental footprint over the years. They also opened up a community meeting center on the north side of the property that local nonprofits, school groups, and town boards can use for free—no strings atached. The gaming floor got its biggest tech upgrade ever with AI-driven responsible gaming tools built right into every machine, and they hired two full-time counselors on staff for anyone struggling with gambling issues. The bar got renovated again with locally-sourced wood from a mill just outside town, and they brought back an old menu featuring recipes from Charlie Morrison's original 1987 kitchen. It's clear they understand that their success is tied directly to keeping this community healthy and vibrant, not just extracting profits—that's why most of us still call it 'Charlie's' instead of anything fancier.
Charlie's Lakeside regulars have walked away with serious jackpots on the progressive slots near the north wall—that's where the energy is thickest. We're talking about local contractors and retirees who know the machine cycles and come back monthly to chase those wins. The reason these stories stick around is simple: people here actually know the winners, they see them at the bar afterward, and they're not exagerating the payouts. Word travels fast in a lakeside community, and Charlie's has earned its reputation honestly.
Join the Players Club to maximize your chances
Progressive Slot
I was just killing time on my lunch break, figured I'd throw twenty bucks into the machine by the bar. My hands were shaikng so bad I could barely read the screen when those cherries lined up. I actually said out loud 'No way, that's not real.' Walked straight to the cage and they confirmed it—one hundred twenty-seven thousand five hundred. I'm paying off my truck and my wife wants to finally take that Alaska cruise she's been talking about since forever.
Blackjack
Started at the table around nine at night with my buddy, we were just looking to have a fun evening, maybe break even. I got into this groove where every hand felt right—dealer kept busting, I kept hitting at exactly the right moments. By midnight I couldn't believe what was happening. When the pit boss brought over the paperwork, my hands were numb. That money's going straight into my kids' college fund, finally taking that worry off my shoulders.
Poker Tournament
I'd been playing in home games for years but never entered a tournament—honestly thought I wasn't good enough. Drove up to Charlie's on a whim, registered that morning with butterflies in my stomach. Made it to the final table and just stayed focused, didn't think about the money at all. When I won that final hand, I had to sit there for a second because I couldn't process it. My wife cried when I told her—we're buying a house, finally getting out of our apartment.
Roulette
I'd had the worst day at work, my boss was terrible, I just needed to decompress. Sat down at the roulette table with fifty dollars and honestly didn't care if I lost it all. Then I hit a run—red came through, then my lucky number seventeen twice in a row. My coworker who was with me kept saying 'Stop now, stop now,' but I felt something different that night. Walked away with almost forty-five grand and finally quit that job the next week.
Buffalo Gold Slot
Was playing Buffalo Gold while my wife shopped downtown, wasn't really paying attention untill the machine got really loud. The free spin bonus hit and kept going, and going—I had to flag down a server because something felt wrong, like it couldn't be real. They brought management over, verified everything, and I just sat there grinning like an idiot. Used some for Christmas gifts and the rest is going toward my daughter's wedding next year.
Three Card Poker
I'm not usually a poker person—I stick to slots mostly—but my buddy insisted I try Three Card Poker with him. I played conservative, followed the strategy card they have, and got lucky. Hit a straight flush in my fifth hand and the whole table went quiet. People were congratulating me, the dealer was impressed, and I felt like I actually knew what I was doing for once. Taking the family to Disney World in the spring.
The gaming floor splits cleanly between the traditional slot banks running the perimeter and a tight cluster of blackjack and poker tables in the center—it's designed so you can play what you want without feeling crowded. You'll find everything from penny slots for the casual Friday night crowd to high-limit machines in the back corner, plus a Texas Hold'em room that draws serious players from three counties over. The mix here isn't trynig to be flashy; it's built for the people who actually live here and know what they're looking for. Charlie's understands that locals want variety without walking through someone else's cigarette smoke to get to it.
Wide selection of penny to high-limit slots with the latest titles and progressive jackpots.
Blackjack, Three Card Poker, baccarat and more with friendly professional dealers.
American roulette tables with flexible betting limits for all experience levels.
Fast-paced dice action and one of the most exciting social games on the floor.
| Slot Machines | 800+ |
|---|---|
| Table Games | 20+ |
| Poker Room | Available |
| High Limit Room | Yes |
| Open Hours | 24/7 |
Earn points on every slot spin and table game hand. Redeem for free play, dining credits and exclusive rewards.
⭐ Join Free →Charlie's operates five seperate dining venues—from the quick-service grill window (where you grab a burger in under 10 minutes) to the sit-down lakeside restaurant with actual tablecloths. You're looking at prices that run from eight bucks for a sandwich to fifty for a decent steak, which means whether you're grinding slots on a Tuesday or celebrating a win on Saturday, there's something that fits your budget. The real advantage is proximity: every gaming station is within sight of at least one food counter, so you never have to step outside or lose your spot. Locals appreciate that the portions are real-size, not casino-theater portions.
Dining is steps from the gaming floor. No reservations required for most venues. Players Club members may receive dining discounts.
Live music happens Thursday through Saturday in the main lounge, mostly regional covers bands and occasional tribute acts that draw folks who'd rather have a soundtrack with their drinks. Shows start around 8 p.m. and the crowd is mixed—some people anchor the bar for the whole set, others drift in and out between gaming sessions. You can check the entertainment calendar on the website or call the main line to confirm who's playing, becuase the lineup changes seasonally. The vibe is relaxed enough that you don't need to dress up, but it's not background noise either.
Schedules vary by season. Contact the casino for current listings.
Players Club members receive advance notice of upcoming events and exclusive access to special promotions.
🎉 Join Players Club →The parking lot holds 400 spaces with a covered entry that matters when the lake weather turns, and there's an ATM in the main casino plus one near the restaurants so you're never more than 50 feet from cash. The layout flows naturally from the main entrance through gaming and toward the dining area, with clear signage that actually helps instead of confusing you—accessible restrooms are marked, and there's a phone charging station in the lounge. The whole facility is climate-controlled year-round, and the staff knows how to handle busy Saturday nights without making the place feel chaotic. Wheelchiar access runs through the entire floor, and there's dedicated parking with a straight shot to the entrance.
Everything you need to plan your trip to Charlie's Lakeside Bar and Grill — hours, parking, age requirements, dress code and directions.
Hours
24/7
Open every day
Parking
Free
Ample spaces available
Dress Code
Smart Casual
Neat appearance required
Age Requirement
21+
Valid ID required
Contact
Call ahead
Reservations welcome
Payment
Cash & Card
ATM on-site
| Hours | 24/7 |
|---|---|
| Parking | Free |
| Dress Code | Smart Casual |
| Age Requirement | 21+ |
| Contact | Call ahead |
| Payment | Cash & Card |
This website is for entertainment and informational purposes only. Gambling involves financial risk. Please gamble responsibly. Problem gambling helpline: 1-800-522-4700 (24/7). Must be 21+ to enter.