The Ship Inn, Chester

A Thwaites pub just over the bridge into Handbridge, a decent old building but the front is disfigured with clear glass windows. The horrors continue inside, a single room with odd decor and chunky furniture. More than a bit of a mish mash it looks like an apprentice interior decorator has been let loose, or a junk shop proprietor is storing stuff here. The counter is to the right with its four pulls, two working with Thwaites beers, an old style IPA, that is a standard brown bitter and served in a warm glass the other was Thwaites Gold. A quad T-Bar and three solos provide a predictable keg choice. Some remnants of an old pub survive, a couple of neat cast iron columns and part of an old fireplace. There were a few dogs in but I didn’t ask the owners names and I didn't explore upstairs. Mardy staff didn’t improve the experience.

Official site of The Ship Inn - shipchester.co.uk

Official site of The Ship Inn - shipchester.co.uk

Visited on a recent Saturday evening. Quite busy with no spare seating due to several tables being reserved for diners who had booked, however we were able to utilise a 'reserved' table where the booking was not until later on. Four hand pulls at the bar, one was off, the others offering Thwaites IPA and Original, and Mobberley Bunji as the guest ale. The Bunji was £3.80 for a pint and disappointingly bland. Not sure if this is down to the beer, or whether it was a bit past its best. Can't really argue with Brainy Pool in the previous review - and having experienced this establishment both in the afternoon and the evening, I definitely preferred it in the afternoon. Not somewhere that's going to set your heart racing on the ale front and there are many better options in Chester on that front, but it was busy so must be doing something right.