please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
as someone else wrote before......... This is a VERY fine pub with good ale and excellent food in generous portions. It gives an impression of doing things very much on its own terms. If you don't like that approach, don't go. e.g. today my wife wanted soup at lunchtime, barman said "If it's not on the menu, we dont serve it"
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I saw this pub while walking along the city wall and it looked most inviting and I wasn't disappointed. There are two bars - the one I was in was festooned with first world war memorabelia. I dont remember too much about the drinks available, but the bar got pleasantly busy as workers leftr their offices after their days work. No music, no games, just a nice place to relax and chat and drink. Well worth a visit.
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I visited with friends while staying in Chester for Easter and enjoyed wandering round this interesting pub while drinking the excellent real ale. Yes - there were a lot of rules on an outside board as to who was welcome, and the pub did close shortly after we left, but it is one to visit while in the area.
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well kept ale, and plenty of memorabilia to brouse in this interesting little pub.
we found it easily during a walk round the city walls.
a visit recommended.
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Perfect for history buffs as the entire pub is lined with First World War memorabilia (a particular favourite is an advert imploring us "to put the Hun on iron rations"). The staff are perfectly friendly - even to young non-regulars such as myself. Excellent and affordable food, certainly the best food I've had in Chester's pubs - the haggis tortilla is especially tasty.
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It is undoubtedly the worse for its foibles. If, as I do, you travel a considerable distance for excellent food and drink - make no mistake, that's what you get - only to find that it is shut, or that Basil Barmstick is strutting up and down the pavement in an apparent attempt to drive away custom you do tend to lose patience. And I don't understand his problem with racegoers: they get grown-ups at the Albion on race days, so far as I've seen. The yahs seem to go elsewhere. Mad as a mongoose.
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Well it was open on Friday afternoon at 4 p.m.! The best pint of Black Sheep I've had in ages. Yes, the pub has its foibles, but it's none the worse for that. The fact that it is family hostile makes it worth the effort to find it open. It's so nice to be able to enjoy a pint in peace and quiet.
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It's a funny old place, the Albion. It's an undeniably well preserved traditional pub, serving good food and beer. Unfortunately, they open it when they feel like it, and make no apologies for doing so. There's only so many times you can walk up to the place, find the door shut and read the "We're open when we're open" sign in good humour. They do a very good job of looking after the locals, (while treating anybody under 40 with suspicion) which is very commendable, I suppose. I wonder what they'll do when the last of the "locals" has died off and everyone else is sick of being turned away? On one memorable night, I walked up to the door with two friends, one of whom was talking in a loud voice. I said "Shhh! They won't let us in if you don't keep your voice down!" only to round the corner to the door to find some battleaxe standing there with her arms folded, saying "Who's doing all that shushing?! Eh? Whoever's making a racket, doing a lot of silly shushing can't come in!". I'm not kidding.
A good pub spoilt by the misguided attempts to keep it unspoilt.
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A beautifully preserved three-roomed backstreet local just inside the city walls. WWI & 1920's memorabilia are fascinating to look at, and there's a pianola which the landlord occasionally cranks into action.
Had lunch here on a Sunday afternoon (cottage pie) and it was as good a "traditional" pub meal as I've had.
Real ale is Cain's Bitter plus two guests.
Current Good Beer Guide gives the opening hours as 12-3 & 5-11 Mon-Thur; 11-11 Fri; 12-3 & 6-11 Sat; 12-3 & 7-10.30 Sun.
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Well worth a visit. I've lived in Chester for over 50 years and this is the best pub in the city - just read the reviews of this place in the national press. The meals are the best pub meals I've had, anywhere in the UK. The landlord knows his stuff and the beers are always in top condition. Highly recommended.
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I withdraw my earlier suggestion that you find the opening hours in the GPG - this place appears to open when it bloody well suits. But if you find it open, and if Captain Mustardgas is not in evidence, you will find an exceptional pub.
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Of the 3 visits made to the Albion its only been open once! Whilst one might forgive (but should you) being closed during Chester races, not being open at 10.20pm(not Sunday)seems to me to be playing at running a pub. "we're open when we're open, closed when we're closed" sign by the door isn't helpful when away from home using the Good Beer Guide.
When it was open the 2 ales on were fine. The welcome was friendly, can't speak for the food.
Doing things on its own terms is one thing but listing it for others to fall foul is another. CAMRA members please note. There are an array of Chester pubs offering good ale not listed. As said before in the Albion reviews avoid if you don't like the approach! Can't say fairer.
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Great food. The portions are epic in size! The beer is a little on the expensive side but you are always guaranteed a good pint.
A very traditional pub. Certainly worth a lunch-time visit.
gjs34 - 31 Oct 2005 15:57 |
This really is a superb example of what all back street pubs should be.
It is the perfect place to enjoy BEER in the EVENING.
They serve their ales in fine condition and by the look on the faces of people who were eating on my visit, the food must be great as well, it cetrtainly smelt nice!!!
cobbo - 31 May 2005 11:04 |
This is a fine pub with good ale and excellent food in generous portions. It gives an impression of doing things very much on its own terms. If you don't like that approach, don't go. Otherwise, find its opening hours - the Good Pub Guide is available online - and enjoy.
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Can only echo what has been said - also the food is great "pub food".
A true gem - worth preserving, although the landlord could do himself (and us) a favour and lighten up on occasion.
Bob - 27 Sep 2004 17:08 |
Great pub, the other reviews ring true.
simon - 7 Sep 2004 15:11 |
Mike Mercer is a gem of a landlord. The pub serves very well kept beer, the food is wonderful (unless you're veggie), and the people drinking there are a friendly bunch.
The best pub in Chester by a country mile.
Pól Curley - 22 Jul 2004 15:24 |
This place is a little gem, use it wisely and protect it dearly, there are not many this good left !!
IB - 7 May 2004 09:29 |
Although I never managed to get into this pub (it seemed closed when I was passing on Saturday afternoon), I thought it well worth mentioning...
The signs outside the pub proclaim it to be one of Britain's only remaining truly original pubs - and from what I could see, this would certainly seem to be true. "No play areas, no children, family hostile" proclaim the notices, while inside I could see lovely open fires, cast iron tables and William Morris wallpaper. There is also an array of Great War (1914-1918) memorabilia, whilst four real ales and a large malt whisky selection seems to be the style behind the bar. The cat lounging on the wall completed the picture nicely.
The owner seemed to be having lunch upstairs at the time, and I'm not sure that an interruption from a 'young 'un' like me would have been entirely appreciated... Maybe next time I'm passing...
Andy - 22 Feb 2004 14:23 |
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