The Lodge Bar, Hoole, Chester

A fearsomely popular hotel bar open to the public, the front garden is particularly popular with the young and some middle aged, it even had one chap attempting to form a single file queue. Much as found by young Quinno, one pump down but similar clientele and vibe; deservedly not in the GBG now, my beer was a NBSS 2 or a generous 2.5. The public space is across the width of the pub with the servery in the left most section. There are two big pipe keg dispensers with about half a dozen national and international brands on each plus a few solos with Moretti, Heineken and Heineken 00. Two handpumps serve average Salopian beers and it had an infestation of lager drinking bar blockers. Low seating in the big L shaped right side where’s there’s a screen and in the left side a couple of high tables with stools opposite the counter. The bagatelle table mentioned on WhatPub was nowhere to be seen. There’s a fair bit to dislike here if you’re a grumpy old man like me.

Set back from the main road with a modern glass-fronted exterior, this is a hotel bar gone full 2019. Very modern interior and quite upmarket – a place to see and be seen. All very Hollyoaks and designed to appeal to Chester’s young and trendy set - furniture from John Lewis, clean lines (not those sort of lines!) and few people under the age of 50. Lots of outside seating which would be pleasant on a summer’s day. Maybe surprising, therefore, to note that one is in the 2019 GBG, hence me schlepping out this far out of town. Three pumps at the bar and all on, I went for the Mobberley Pink Grapefruit which was definitely GBG standard (NBSS 3.5). Forgot to note the others at the bar due to the scrum to be served. Overall it’s decent enough and serves a niche rather well. Whether you’d want to head this far from town based on what you’ve just read will be up to you.

Small Guesthouse/Hotel , with a decent size public bar , the bar is L shaped and has a few cosy corners , there is a Bagatelle table at the far end . Three handpulls on the bar with two from Magic Dragon and one from Ambersand , staff were very friendly , customers were from the more mature end of the spectrum on my Tuesday lunchtime visit .

Official site of The Lodge Bar - www.lodgebar.co.uk

Official site of The Lodge Bar - www.lodgebar.co.uk

A nice enough guest house bar. The bar as you walk in had a few handpumps serving real ale and a drinking area to your right provides more seating. Its ok but not really pub-like.