The Cornerhouse, Chester

A decent pub not far from the station. Very quiet on my midday visit, a few people sitting outside in the sun, so I did the same. 4 ales on, Mobberley Cornerhouse Best, Salopian Oracle, Abbeydale Through the Hopback Cascade & Fyne Friday's Mild .I had the Mobberley at £2.70 a half. The barmaid was friendly and welcoming.

Further to my 2019 review, I visited again in September 2025 and as predicted, did find it more enjoyable at a quieter time! Four hand pulls for cask ale, all of which were in service at the time of my visit. My half of Enfield by Tartarus was really good, and well worth the £2.50 for a half. My ale was pulled through before being served, which always instils confidence. Inside there are two levels, plus a small outdoor area to the rear - probably more of a smoking area than a beer garden as such. Board games are available to play. Live music is advertised Fridays and Saturdays from 9pm. However on Friday afternoon there was just a nice relaxed vibe. The food offering is similar to the Cellar - nibbles, platters and Sunday roast. All major sports shown daily, they proudly claim. The fireplace looks like it gets some use. The floor consists of old wooden boards. Seating is mainly no-nonsense tables and chairs with some drinking ledges and to the window in the lower section. Well worth a visit and again, this is one I shouldn't leave to long next time!

Plush building on route from station to town and a little upmarket but with character

The Cornerhouse is an upmarket pub with a mock Tudor frontage on the outskirts of the city centre. With wooden flooring and exposed brick walls throughout, the bar area is located to the left of the entrance where a serving counter across the rear supports a craft keg selection alongside Peroni and Asahi. There are also four hand pumps that were drawing Titanic’s Classic Mild and Plum Porter as well as Salopian’s Deep State and Oracle. The Porter was on good form at £2.50 for a half. Down a couple of steps to the right is a seating area with a small stage and piano in the right rear corner, I think the regular live music advertised for Friday and Saturday evenings will be solo and duet acts rather than full bands. There is a quiz on Sundays to recover from the weekend action and a pizza menu is available. I thought it was OK in here, but I wouldn’t make a special trip, so I think a return visit isn’t on the cards unless I stay in Boughton again.

Four real ales on, mine was a decent Buxton blonde at £2.10 a half. Barman was a lovely gentleman, some of the clientele were a bit pretentious and others were rowdier Saturday pub crawlers but harmless. kind of liked this place, found it a bit offbeat and the background music was pretty good.

Old half timbered exterior in black and white this is the sister pub to The Cellar up the road and has a focus on live music.The interior is quite stripped out with a few tables and drinking shelves underneath the left hand side windows,some areas are raised while the bar along this wall has a serrano ham hanging down ,indicating the nature of the food offering.To the right is a lower level performance area with a small stage and traditional furniture in wood.The overall affect is modern but this retains the elements of a pub .It is popular and the music brings in a varied bunch,with plenty of young women occasionally accompanied by their brothers. There are 4 handpumps with a regular TT Landlord and Salopian Oracle together with guests on my visit of Peerless Oatmeal Stout and Good Chemistry Boundless Sky (hazy ,drinkable but not memorable). Include on any crawl around the city ,but it may get busy when the music is on.