please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Very nice old fashioned pub. Unfortunately the Joule's beers are pretty dull and served with a massive creamy head that sucks all the life(and taste) out of the beer. Fortunately they do have guests.
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The 5th of 7 pubs from the 2015 GBG that I wanted to tick so we stopped here just before 4pm on the Sunday.
The Cross Key’s is a Joule's brewery run pub and therefore is pretty much a tap house with 4 of their ales on, 1 guest and 1 real cider. I opted for the Joule's Blonde @ 3.8% which was a decent pint.
This really is a stunning building outside with stained glass windows depicting various city emblems then the theme continues inside with lots of etched mirrors and complete wood panelling and wooden fireplace. The pub has a old feel to it but I understand the decoration has been replaced in recent years, whatever…it still works and is a nice place to sit and enjoy your pint.
Busy with quite a few people finishing their Sunday lunches during my visit. The food portions were ample and the quality looked good as well…especially the roast beef and Yorkshire puddings!
Music playing at a nice un intrusive level, stunning interior as mentioned, good choice of ales…all in all the Cross Keys is a very good pub
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After a few pubs in Liverpool and Birkenhead, I moved onto this new pub (for me) in Chester. As previous reviewers have said, this is a Joules pub. Their ales were Waterloo, Pale Ale, Slumbering Monk & Blonde. The guest ale was Leatherbritches Hairy Helmet and the cider was Westons Rosie's Pig. I've only been to a couple of Joules pubs before. But they do feel fairly similar and it's not a bad recipe. Worth a stop. But I think there are better pubs in this part of town.
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What can one say – this is pretty much a typical Joules pub, with its wood-obsessed quirky interior. It does however, seem more genuine and intimate that some joules pubs. Maybe that’s because they have used a darker shade of wood than normal ?
It had the usual Joules range of 3 regular beers, plus their seasonal, and a guest. I had the seasonal Calcutta 1757 IPA – which was very nice.
Food is available. On the expensive side – but not as bad as some other local places (we are in a tourist zone here). There was a range of 3 to 4 dishes advertised for Sunday lunch – starting at one course for £8.95.
7/10 – great pub, but too much like other Joules pubs to be brilliant.
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clean old school pub in a nice setting witha friendly barman. Tried a guest ale which was decent rather than the Joules beer (Oakham ales Citra). Was quiet for a Thursday afternoon
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Another Joules refurb and although it is in the style of agood old fashioned pub I feel the Joules houses are becoming a bit indentikit 'old school' pubs. The Jouiles Plae was okay rather than good but I suppose it isstill a proper looking pub with ales.
anonymous - 11 May 2014 10:46 |
Another fabulous Joules pub, on a par with their Wrexham house, and the Pale was superb. This is the pub I'd take a foreign visitor to Chester to see, because the atmosphere, cleanliness and beer quality is spot on.
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Very dull, beer uninspiring and atmosphere lacking, won't return anytime soon!
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Excellent pub with a good atmosphere. Like the third of a pint idea for us that can't choose.
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Now owned by Joules Brewery. We tried to visit on our Chester tour yesterday, but pub was not opening unti, 5 P.M.
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Good atmosphere, cosy, tv now available and great food.
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The Cross Keys in Chester is under new management and it is due to re-open on Saturday 7th August at 6pm. Could be well worth a visit to find out what the atmosphere is like, what the beer is like and what the food is like now.
Good excuse for an evening out methinks!
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I recently visited this pub which I believe has re opened recently and was pleased to find that it has keept its traditional appearance and atmosphere
Duncan the new landord is a pleasent and freindly person and i was aware of the welcoming and friendly attitude of both him and his staff
I was also pleased to see that he is still serving real ales and good home made food I will certainly be paying them another visit the next time Im in chester
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We are recent converts to this pub and we like it as it's quite close to home. Ale is fine esp the Deuchars - city prices of course. Haven't eaten there though. Usually fairly quiet early evening.
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Food used to be excellent but after many changes of chefs i feel it is very poor. staff are very freindly and pub is cosy, shame about food now as it used to be great.
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Beer wet and expensive.Food tasted like microwave meals also expensive. Not very friendly.
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Speckled hen...aaaa try whexham beer.
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Sign outside pub says "nice pub for nice people".
Well it is a nice pub, and we are nice people, shame there were a few (gay)prats hanging around the pub, swearing and watching Dr Who!!!
Anyway went in twice, four handpull ales on, Deuchers IPA (good), Jennings, Speckled hen, and Black Sheep. The latter two pints were very warm though!
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