Saddle Inn, Chester

Back street type pub just a short distance from the touristy bits of Chester, self billed as a rock bar; yup the decor of guitars, photos of rock stars and the guitar neck pump handles tick that box, does having Trooper as the only cask tick the box too? Otherwise it’s a multi space pub with a pool room up a few steps behind the servery. A mix of old and new characterises most of the pub, like someone got bored halfway through modernising it. A mad and eclectic bunch of punters mostly young and being me, I was particularly entranced by the female wrestling on the big and little screens. Oh yeah there’s a garden out back. £5 min on card payments.

The Saddle Inn is a rock themed pub with karaoke on Fridays from 21:00, live music every Saturday and open mic on Wednesdays from 21:00. The bar area is adorned with music paraphernalia and there are a few high tables leaving plenty of standing room. To the left of the bar is a small lounge area and up a few steps behind the bar is a pool room (50p per game and free on Tuesdays and Sundays, as is the jukebox). To the right rear are another couple of seating areas and a door leads to a courtyard with covered seating. Accommodation is available, but not sure I would want to stay here with 00:30 closing Sunday to Thursday, 01:30 on Fridays and 02:30 on Saturdays. During my recent Tuesday lunchtime visit the plasma screens were showing muted BT Sport and there was some background music playing from the jukebox. The bar is stocked with standard keg products alongside Amstel and I counted three hand pumps which all have guitar handles. One was unused which left Caledonian’s Deuchars and Wychwood’s Hobgoblin as the cask ale options. Traditional pub food is available 11:00 – 15:00 Sunday to Thursday and 11:00 – 19:00 Friday and Saturday. I decided to try the £5 burger which was extremely good. I normally find live music venues to be a bit grubby, but this place is clean, and the welcome was very friendly. Next time I am in the area I will be sure to revisit for another burger.