26 May 23rd-May 29th, 2024 phoenixnewtimes.com PHOENIX NEW TIMES | NEWS | FEATURE | FOOD & DRINK | ARTS & CULTURE | MUSIC | CONCERTS | CANNABIS | Char’s reborn Char’s Has the Blues endured many chal- lenges in its lifespan, including the harsher DUI laws and economic downturns of the 2000s. The bar survived, continuing to offer performances seven nights a week from regulars like Laydee Jai, Brown, singer Larry Bailey and local R&B/soul/ funk act Soul Power. COVID-19, though, proved to be insur- mountable. In 2020, Char’s closed down during the early stages of the pandemic. Months later, the Chedid family sold the property to local entrepreneur and devel- oper David Cameron and California real estate broker Peter Valleau. Char’s underwent a meticulous interior renovation over the next 18 months. The property had its infrastructure upgraded, including fixing issues with the plumbing and electrical systems and got a VIP room and green room, revamped seating and a new stage and sound system. Cameron kept the parquet dance floor and updated the name to Chars Live. He told Phoenix New Times before the reopening in February 2022 that he hoped to preserve the bar’s legacy. “People have come up and talked to me about (the bar), sharing these visceral experiences of this place are so intense and burned into their memories,” Cameron told New Times in 2022. “I hope and think we’ll be able to deliver something similar to what was there and embrace its legacy.” When Chars Live debuted, the crowds came out at first (including for the packed reopening party starring Big Pete Pearson). Performances were offered five or six nights a week with old-schoolers like Bailey and Brown in the mix along with emerging artists like R&B/soul singer Alexis Janae and funk/jazz band The Optimystics. Despite Cameron’s efforts, turnout at Chars Live diminished. By summer 2022, Cameron told New Times they were “diversifying” their live music offerings. “We’re still going to have the usual bands we’ve been featuring, but we’d like to bring in some local talents who haven’t played there before, along with some regional talents from Los Angeles or Texas,” Cameron told New Times. ‘It’s actually really gone’ In November 2023, Chars was placed on the real estate market for an asking price of $495,000, which reportedly included its No. 6 liquor license and the bar’s fixtures, equipment, furnishings and website. It was news that came as a shock to Chars fans and resident musicians, such as vocalist and guitarist Vaughn Willis. “Honestly, it was devastating,” he says. Cameron declined multiple requests by Phoenix New Times for comment regarding the sale. Chars Live officially closed in early March after the business was sold to Brandon Smith, a longtime Phoenix bartender at Seamus McCaffrey’s Irish Pub, and Tommy Glynn, a Flagstaff restau- rateur. Weeks later, signage for Smith’s on 7th, their bar and cocktail lounge, went up. Willis says Chars musicians were told about the sale at “the 11th hour.” “They knew well in advance that they were in talks with somebody, and they knew when it was going to close, but chose not to tell any of us officially until the last minute,” Willis says. “It was awful.” Smith’s on 7th won’t feature bands or musicians, save for an occasional DJ set or private karaoke session in the lounge area. Smith says that neither he nor Glynn have much of a background in booking artists and ultimately have different goals for the bar. “I did a bunch of bookings when I was at Seamus. We would have music three to four nights a week. Truth is, it’s just not what I wanted to venture into,” Smith says. “I love the bar side. I love the mingling, the camaraderie with guests hanging out, just not necessarily a live music venue. That just wasn’t what we wanted.” Laydee Jai says she’s sad, but under- stands that Char’s Has the Blues is finally closed for good. “It was so fun while it lasted,” she says. “I’m going to miss it, because that was some good history but it’s actually really gone. I mean, it’s gone. I don’t think they could ever get that back.” Final Note from p 24 The exterior of Chars Live in midtown Phoenix in September 2022. (Photo by Benjamin Leatherman)
