Earl of Chester, Crewe

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Blue Scrumpy left this review about Earl of Chester

Corner pub in a residential area of Crewe that majors on rock music. As you enter, there is a basic public bar on the right-hand side, which smelt quite heavily of bleach as I walked through.

The larger room to the left was where all the locals and the barman were. It has a stage near the window and a raised seating area with posters for rock concerts, featuring Aerosmith, The Who, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Black Sabbath, Pink Floyd, Janis Joplin & Marillion. Light fittings were surrounded with beer bottles or ice buckets, which was an interesting touch. A TV in this area had a music channel, but with no sound. Other TVs elsewhere were showing live golf. Whilst the music channel was muted, some other funky music was playing in the background.

The main bar area has the bar itself on the right-hand side. The whole area is carpeted, apart from right by the bar itself. A shelf above the bar features many bottle of miniatures, whilst there are more rock posters on the ceiling. There was also a games machine and a jukebox.

To the rear is a games room with a pool table and its own TV, also showing golf. An outdoor yard didn't look too promising, but was probably used by smokers. Most customers in the pub were getting on a bit. There was also a dog making itself at home, possibly the pub dog.

I guess there is occasional live music here, but karaoke is also promoted on a Saturday night between 8-11pm. On the bar, there are 3 real ales. 2 of them are from the Merlin Brewery - Gold & Excalibur. The third was Ossett White Rat. My Excalibur was dispensed in a Merlin branded glass and was enjoyable. Ciders were Kopparberg, Magners & Magners Dark Fruits. John Smith's & Boddington's were also available on keg.

I thought this was a basic, but solid locals pub with decent real ale and a clear love for rock music.

On 23^rd July 2024 - rating: 6
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