Copyright American Press
This Halloween, Lake Charles got a treat: Crying Eagle Brewery’s new lakefront location officially opened to the public. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on Friday morning at the restaurant, located at 911 N Lakeshore Dr., to celebrate its grand opening. The event delivered cool weather, fresh pastries and community. For Crying Eagle President Eric Avery, it also brought “an overwhelming sense of pride, gratitude, and a little disbelief.” The multi-million dollar investment marks a significant milestone in Lake Charles’ ongoing waterfront revitalization. Originally announced in December 2019, the project joins other lakefront initiatives, such as the restoration of the former Harrah’s parking garage and Port Wonder. Avery and his team were guided by a simple vision – to create a place for connection, laughter and memory making. Before cutting the ribbon, he said Crying Eagle Lakefront is that vision realized. “It’s proof that faith, hard work and unity can turn even the toughest challenges into something transformative.” No one anticipated the roadblocks that would arise in the coming years, citing natural disasters, rising construction costs, and legislative constraints, he said. “What once was just a dream, a concept, a sketch on paper, it’s now standing before us. … We kept believing. We kept trusting in God’s perfect timing. Because deep down, we knew that this project mattered.” Lake Charles Mayor Marshall Simien, Jr., said the restaurant is a perfect new addition to “the front porch” of Lake Charles, the lakefront downtown area, and a testament to the trajectory of the city. “This is the way that we, as a Lake City, come together and invite people into our place, into our culture,” he said. “As long as we come together and we have, we can articulate and put together our vision for what we want, how we want to welcome people, how we want to welcome our families and take care of our community, this is the cornerstone of One Lake Charles.” The venue offers two levels of indoor and outdoor seating, a dedicated play area, and a sophisticated design aimed at delivering a family-friendly yet elevated lakefront experience for both residents and visitors, Avery said during a media sneak peek in September. Guests can expect locally brewed beers, a fresh lineup of culinary offerings curated by Executive Chef Lyle Broussard, and some of the most scenic views on the lake. While brewing operations are shared between two locations, this site features on-site beer production, complemented by an extensive wine list, diverse spirits and handcrafted cocktails. The upstairs space is available for private events or can serve as additional seating during peak hours. Crying Eagle Lakefront currently accommodates around 500 guests, with plans underway to slowly increase capacity over time.
