Oddfellows, Chester

Upstairs in the former Oddfellows Hall, turning to the left takes you into the main bar although that is very much a downmarket description, elegant salon would better describe the room. Not a tall room but dignified and the dark walls have exquisite animal murals upon them and there’s a very neat fireplace. The gently curved counter lies to the right, it does sell vulgar beer as well as wine and spirits, all keg and mostly better quality European lagers or Weetwood beers. A screen was showing, I believe, a Tom Cruise feature film involving cocktails. There are further rooms perhaps for dining or private hire to the rear and at the front a conference/meeting type room. Toilets in basement.

Oddfellows is a boutique hotel with a wooden floored restaurant and bar that are open to the public and are accessed at the rear of the building through the hotel’s reception. A stool lined serving counter is found on the right-hand wall where premium keg is available, half a Staropramen set me back £3.50… boutique init! This counter faces a couple of high tables and then some banquette seating to the left where a marble fireplace sits on the left-hand wall. A television above the fireplace was airing a muted 1950s film and there was some very slow background music playing during a late midweek afternoon visit. In the right rear is a very floral dining area with large granny lampshades, I think someone connected to the hotel is a fan of the Lounges chain of café bars. Out the back is a small “secret garden” that feels like a roof terrace. Oddfellows is certainly odd, but it’s expensive and feels too much like a hotel for me to consider revisiting.

A nice bar/restaurant place if you like these kind of places. The entrance is up a flight of stairs and once in its a pleasant enough, if slightly posh, place. Lots of candles, cake stand thingys and flowers on tables. A nice courtyard out back is pleasant to sit in. No real ale and there are much much better places nearby.