The Orange Tree, Congleton

This large imposing stand-alone building used to be the Cheshire Tavern, but now goes by the name of The Orange Tree Bar & Grill. Arriving at a maître d stand through the entrance I realized that the days of this being a proper pub were long gone. In fact all the tables within the many rooms, including a conservatory at the rear, were all set for dining with large wine glasses. To the left of the entrance is a small bar area with some bar chairs along the counter. There was no barman, or drinkers even though the restaurant areas had a few people dotted around. My visit was midweek and mid-afternoon so I wouldn’t expect anyone to be getting on it in the bar, but I got the vibe that the bar area is more for people waiting for tables or for having an after meal drink. There is patio seating out the front along with a wooden bar, so I imagine that it gets busy with drinkers during the summer months, however this isn’t somewhere I’d go just for a beer. My rating is for the bar area, I'm sure it would be much higher it this was a restaurant review site.