Char Steakhouse and Oyster Bar is an upscale contemporary steakhouse and raw bar located at 1620 East Republic Road in south Springfield, Missouri. Occupying a sprawling 13,000-square-foot, two-story building near the Primrose Marketplace shopping corridor, the restaurant operates as a sister establishment to two of the city’s best-known dining institutions: Flame Steakhouse & Wine Bar in downtown Springfield and Black Sheep Burgers and Shakes. Diners visit for in-house dry-aged and wet-aged beef, flown-in East and West Coast oysters, an expansive cocktail lounge, and four distinct private dining rooms designed for celebratory dinners and corporate gatherings.
What to Expect at Char Steakhouse and Oyster Bar
Upon stepping through the front entrance, guests encounter Char’s glass-enclosed dry-aging room, where prime beef subprimals age under controlled temperature and humidity. All steaks on the menu are hand-cut in-house after a minimum of 25 days of wet aging or extended dry aging. Signature cuts range from classic center-cut filet mignon, bone-in ribeyes, and New York strips to showstopping specialty selections like the 45-ounce Prime grade long-bone Tomahawk ribeye and authentic 100% Miyazaki Japanese A5 Wagyu strip. Guests can customize their steaks with classic French-inspired sauces and toppings, including house bearnaise, peppercorn demi-glace, blue cheese crust, or butter-poached lobster tail, alongside family-style steakhouse sides such as truffle mac and cheese, crispy Brussels sprouts, and Yukon gold mashed potatoes.
Adjacent to the main dining room, the lively lounge houses a dedicated raw bar where shuckers prepare freshly flown-in oysters on the half shell, chilled jumbo shrimp cocktail, snow crab claws, and multi-tier seafood towers. The bar program pairs an extensive wine cellar focused on Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons, Old World reds, and crisp Champagnes with smoked bourbon cocktails, seasonal martinis, and an afternoon happy hour from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Gluten-free preparation is available for nearly all grilled steaks and raw bar items, and the kitchen accommodates vegetarian diners with substantial salads, roasted vegetable sides, and meatless starters.
- In-House Dry-Aging Room: Visible immediately inside the foyer, this climate-controlled showcase ages premium beef cuts alongside steaks that undergo a minimum 25-day wet-aging process before being hand-cut by the kitchen.
- Specialty Wagyu and Tomahawk Cuts: The butcher program headlines the 45-ounce Prime long-bone Tomahawk for sharing and certified 100% Miyazaki Japanese A5 Wagyu strip seared to order.
- Full Raw Bar & Seafood Towers: Located in the lounge, the oyster bar serves daily varieties of freshly flown-in East and West Coast oysters, charbroiled oysters, colossal shrimp, and chilled shellfish platters.
- Lounge & Daily Happy Hour: Opening at 4:00 PM Tuesday through Saturday, the lounge offers cocktail service, raw bar bites, and happy hour specials until 6:00 PM before the late-night lounge menu takes over.
- 13,000-Square-Foot Layout & Private Dining: Spread across a modern two-story footprint, the venue includes an upscale main dining room, a high-energy bar lounge, outdoor patio seating, and four private event suites.
Char Steakhouse and Oyster Bar at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 1620 E Republic Rd, Springfield, MO 65804 |
| Neighborhood / Area | South Springfield (Republic Road & Glenstone Avenue corridor) |
| Operating Hours | Tue–Thu: Lounge 4:00 PM–11:00 PM, Dining Room 5:00 PM–9:00 PM; Fri–Sat: Lounge 4:00 PM–12:00 AM, Dining Room 5:00 PM–10:00 PM; Happy Hour Tue–Sat 4:00 PM–6:00 PM; Sun–Mon: Closed |
| Admission / Price Range | $$$ (Steaks and mains typically $38–$140+; appetizers and raw bar $16–$32) |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 1.5 to 2.5 hours |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Complimentary on-site surface parking lot; CU Transit Route 14 & Route 36 stops along Glenstone Ave |
| Official Website & Phone | charsteakandoyster.com | +1 417-823-8383 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
Because Friday and Saturday evening seatings between 6:30 PM and 8:30 PM frequently book out days ahead, securing a table in advance through the online reservation portal or by calling the host stand is strongly recommended. Walk-in guests have the best luck arriving right at 4:00 PM when the lounge opens for happy hour oysters and craft cocktails. The dress code is smart casual to upscale—collared shirts, dresses, and dark denim are standard. The restaurant sits just west of South Glenstone Avenue and north of the James River Freeway (US-60), with a large, dedicated surface parking lot directly outside the entrance. The ground-floor dining room, lounge, and restrooms are fully wheelchair accessible via a step-free main entrance.
Char’s south Springfield location places diners within a five-to-ten-minute drive of several major shopping and nature attractions. Spend the afternoon browsing the boutiques and regional shops at Battlefield Mall (2.5 miles north on Glenstone Avenue) or walking the paved trails along Sequiota Park and its Galloway Creek Greenway trailhead just 2 miles northeast. For those planning a full day in south Springfield, the Springfield Conservation Nature Center near Lake Springfield sits less than 10 minutes southeast via US-60 and offers three miles of scenic Ozarks woodland trails before dinner.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the operating hours and happy hour times at Char Steakhouse?
Char Steakhouse and Oyster Bar opens Tuesday through Saturday, with the lounge welcoming guests at 4:00 PM and the main dining room beginning service at 5:00 PM. The dining room closes at 9:00 PM Tuesday through Thursday and 10:00 PM on Friday and Saturday, while the lounge stays open until 11:00 PM on weeknights and midnight on weekends. Happy hour runs in the lounge Tuesday through Saturday from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM, and the restaurant is closed on Sundays and Mondays.
Do I need a reservation, and what is the typical price range?
Reservations are highly recommended for the main dining room, particularly on weekend nights and holidays, though the lounge and oyster bar accept walk-in guests on a first-come, first-served basis. Expect an upscale $$$ price tier where classic wet-aged steaks and seafood entrees generally range from $38 to $75, while specialty dry-aged cuts, the 45-ounce Prime Tomahawk, and Miyazaki A5 Wagyu command premium market prices.
How much time should I budget for dinner at Char?
Plan to spend 1.5 to 2.5 hours for a full multi-course steakhouse meal in the main dining room, which allows time for raw bar starters, made-to-order steaks, and dessert. If you are stopping into the lounge exclusively for happy hour cocktails and a half-dozen oysters, 45 to 75 minutes is plenty of time.
Is Char Steakhouse wheelchair accessible and suitable for private events?
Yes, the restaurant features flat, step-free entry from its adjacent private parking lot, wide aisles between dining tables, and ADA-compliant restrooms. In addition to its main dining room and lounge, the 13,000-square-foot venue includes four private dining rooms and full catering services for rehearsal dinners, business presentations, and family celebrations.
When planning your Springfield travel guide or comparing verified restaurants and american restaurant in Springfield, pair this stop with standout local spots including Springfield Armory National Historic Site, Metropolitan Grill, Wyndham Springfield City Centre, and Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen (1.6 km away).
