The Cornerhouse, Chester

Previously called the Compass/Chester Hangman, this one is located in a rather lovely black and white timbered Chester building and is the sister pub of the Cellar. However it’s far more light, relaxed and upmarket, definitely one for the middle class and middle aged set (is that me nowadays?). Three rooms knocked into one which basically now gives you a large sigma shaped bar and a square bare bricked room down a couple of steps to the right. Mainly exposed brick, wood and green trim alongside an open fire. Four pumps all on, 2x Salopian (NBSS 3.5), Dark Side of the Moose (NBSS 2.5) and Tim Taylor Landlord. We lingered in this one as we were enjoying ourselves. Plus there was a chap at one of the tables who looked like a young Martin Keown.

Official site of The Cornerhouse - www.cornerhousechester.com

Official site of The Cornerhouse - www.cornerhousechester.com

Four cask ales at the bar, loud live music on Saturday evening and standing room only. My Pica by Squawk was very nice. In addition to cask ales they do real cider and keg stuff. There is a chalk board towards the end of the bar. Apparently offers a 10% CAMRA discount but only Sunday to Thursday. For me, probably best enjoyed at a less busy time.

A black and white timbered exterior and leaded windows, inside has a beamed ceiling, green exposed steel beams and a split level varnished boarded floor. Each end wall has exposed brickwork with a proper fire lit down one end where there is also a piano, wall mounted muskets and a square shaped guitar down the other end. Maybe it is a mandolin or something. The floor in front of the bar slopes a bit which felt a bit disconcerting. For some reason a leg of lamb and a chopping board hang over the bar. Comedy and music acts are advertised and the stairs and lobby are lined with album covers and pictures of musicians. There are daily papers in a rack. Beers were Landlord, Salopian Oracle, Titanic Plum Porter and Black Iris All Seeing IPA. Food listed on a board consisted of snacks such as olives plus cheese, meat and pate platters. A nice spot and good twinned with the Cellar Bar across the road which is under the same ownership.

As noted, this has been renamed The Cornerhouse and is basically the same inside. 4 handpumps on the bar with 3 working today with Tim Taylor Landlord, Arbour Oz Bomb and Fixed Wheel Gold Century being the beers available today. Plus they seem to have sorted out the heating.