Charles Brouns, born in the Netherlands in 1915, came to Curaçao in 1938 and to Aruba a year later. In 1939, he married Marie in ‘t Veld, and in September 1941, he opened his own business on San Nicolas’ Main Street, which he named Charlie’s Bar.

Earlier that same year, Charles Brouns Jr., their only child, was born. This was in the midst of World War II, when the Lago refinery, located next to San Nicholas, was operating at full capacity to supply the Allied troops with fuel. Sailors from the many ships in the refinery’s harbor found a rest stop at Charlie’s Bar, where they received a warm welcome and found a ‘home away from home.’ It also became a mailing address for sailors who knew Aruba would be their next port of call on their voyage. Even during the war, articles about Charlie’s Bar and what the owners meant to the sailors appeared in various foreign magazines. Charlie and Marie also quietly helped local people in need.

In 1949 they opened an upscale restaurant-night club in the street behind Main Street, the ‘Lido’, where jacket and tie were required to get in. It gained a very good reputation.

In 1977, Charles received a royal decoration; in 1989 he died at the age of 74. Their son, Charles Jr., had by then taken over the running of the bar, along with his Colombian wife, Rosalba.

Initially, they lived in Bogota, where both their children, Charles III and Montserrate (‘Montsy’), were born. There, they had already owned a successful restaurant and nightclub, of course called ‘Charlie’s’ as well.

In 1976, the family returned to Aruba to take over the family business in San Nicolas. The Brouns family moved into the top floor of the building.

Three generations behind the bar . . .

Charlie realized that the Lago boom was over and that the automation of both the refinery and the ships would significantly reduce customer demand. So, he decided to focus on the island’s new source of income: tourism.

Charlie Jr. with daughter Montsy

For decades, tourists have flocked to this unique pub, often leaving personal gifts, ranging from business cards to paintings. Police officers have left their badges there, in recognition of Charlie’s community service.

The enthusiastic, even flamboyant Charlie Jr., himself a respectable goalkeeper, also sponsored a local soccer team, Charlie’s Bar Boozers. The logo has become famous. Like his parents, Charlie has always helped families facing hardship, for example, due to the refinery’s closure.

In September 2004, Charles Jr. died in a fatal fall in the building. He was 63 at the time. Son Charles III – Carlito – and daughter Montsy took over the running of the business, and in the spirit of carrying on the family business, Carlito now works behind the bar.