Forest House, Chesterback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Now reopened as a Brewhouse & Kitchen. Will report when listed under that name.
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Closed at the moment. Some talk of it being reopened as a Wetherspoons with rooms/accomodation but we shall see.
Shame, as whilst I'm not a big Spoons fan (and Chester is a place full of decent pubs) this was one of the best Spoons nationally in my view in terms of decor, clientele, staff and beer range.
Whereas I don't like the Square Bottle at all. The beer range and quality is good and some of the staff are very good as well. However the clientele seems to me to be a mix of tourists who won't come back for repeat business and very heavy drinking rough and ready punters of a different nature to almost any of the other pubs/bars in the Centre of Chester.
I'm sure it makes money but to me it's a real pity the Square Bottle is the one they kept open, whilst this one was closed down.
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We came out of the spoons around the corner Square Bottle having not buying a drink with only two bar staff serving and the punters being knee deep at the bar.
So glad we did as we quickly found this corker of a Wetherspoons. My pint of Blueberry Bitter 5% by Coach House Brewery was superb. It easily rates with the beer standards of the Waterhouse in Manchester - if not, better.
Directly above the bar, the ceiling goes up with spectacular original features, and is the standout point of the pub. We didn't venture into the downstairs part as it was mainly for diners.
Cracking.
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A very nicely decked out Lloyds No1 Bar with well kept ale. The pint of Firestone Walker "Red Nectar Ale" was divine, 8/10
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This place has a sort of stately home feel about it. Very large, interesting multi-roomed there are plenty of seating or standing options. Had a beer from Coach House Brewery in Warrington. I would have probably spent a bit more time here but it was getting late.
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On entrance appears a smaller version of the Lloyds format. 2 guest beers & a couple of standard range. Downstairs bar is in restored cellar area.Still retains refurbished "new2 feel.
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Well, I liked it!!! Good range of ales, as expected in a JDW. Food good on a Sunday, but it was very quiet!
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There are far better places to go in Chester than this, visited on Good Friday, thought it was a weatherspoons not a lloyds, beer was ok. But if you want a decent pint then go to Harkers ( costly ) or the Mill Hotel.
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according to chester camra site, recently re-opened as a Lloyds No1 bar. [which would explain the disco]. Previously called Mansion House.
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this pub is on love street just off Foregate. Just around the corner from the other jdw, The Square Bottle. However this seems to be the "plusher" of the two.
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outside, has the appearance of a large city house, with stone stairway leading up to the entrance. To the side of the building there is a first-floor outdoor balcony structure for smokers, etc.
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inside, there is an upper floor bar, with open plan seating and a small built-in disco setup. downstairs is quieter and much more plush, furnished more like an expensive hotel than a pub, with sofa seating, etc. Not quite sure if there is also a bar down there.
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there were 8 hand pumps in the upper bar, 6 in use with regional ales.
we tried the meals, which were standard for jdw pubs.
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verdict :
quite a smart establishment, with the standard jdw drink & meal offerings. As a more senior drinker, the prospect of the disco in full swing put me off a little,. However it wasn't in use when we called.
A nice place for a comfortable quiet drink ... on non-disco nights!
An overall 8 from me.
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