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Chat about:
Beer of the Week (w/e 14th December 2025) with Thuck Phat
on the Pub Forum
Image posted by Old Boots
Submitted on Saturday, 18th October 2025
With picture contributions to 3743 other pubs
View all this pub's pictures (13 more images)
Detail Pages
The Cavern of the Curious Gnome, Chester
Chester
CH1 1NW
Served areas
Reviews of The Cavern of the Curious Gnome (Average Rating: 7½ of 10) see review guidelines
Strongers . left this review about The Cavern of the Curious Gnome
I spent a while looking for the Cavern of the Curious Gnome during a visit to Chester at the end of last year, but the hidden location and lack of mobile network in the city meant that I had to give up my search. So this year I went fully prepared with a paper map, address and screenshot of the building frontage, but I still had trouble finding it seeing as it’s located above the Paysan wine bar that you must walk through to access the stairs that lead up to the high ceilinged and wooden floored CCG. Up the right is bench seating with tables that are faced by a toadstool lined serving counter that runs up the left-hand wall. There’s some gnomey stuff dotted around, including a giant gnome that menacingly overlooks the bar from up high. At the rear is a retro gaming table and for some reason there are barbie dolls incarcerated in a couple of cages that hang from the ceiling. The five hand pumps were drawing a decent Ossett’s White Rat, Blackjack’s Manchester Stout, Vaux Brewery’s Best, Electric Bear Brewing’s Theroux the Looking Glass and Oakham’s Citra. The keg range was mostly Belgian with a few crafty options thrown in. I thought the service was polite and I enjoyed the surroundings, although the background music was a bit niche. Worth a look.
On 12th November 2025
- rating: 8
[User has posted 6353 recommendations about 6315 pubs]
Will Larter left this review about The Cavern of the Curious Gnome
This reminded me very much of House of the Trembling Madness in York, both in its atmosphere and vibe, and in being accessed through another business on the ground floor and a staircase to the upper floor. The Rows in Chester are not exactly like Stonegate in York, and this building is not as old, but the idea was clearly there and has been acted upon. There are plenty of Belgian beers and craft keg taps, but I had eyes only for the four hand pumps. I figured that the Big Trip offering would be hazy, confirmed by my drinking companion, and it was too early in the day for a stout from Salopian, so I narrowed the choice down to Ossett White Rat and Kirkstall Blonde, the latter being a new one for me. Unfortunately it was far too cold, but was remarkably tasty in the circumstances (NBSS 3.5, could have been a 4). This pub wouldn't wouldn't be one I'd be desperate to revisit, but on the other hand I wouldn't say no if someone suggested popping again.
On 20th May 2025
- rating: 6
[User has posted 4530 recommendations about 4152 pubs]
Danny O'Revey left this review about The Cavern of the Curious Gnome
A large ceiling Belgium beer and gnome theme, not the largest space and seems popular. Accessed at the back of the wine bar, itself accessed on the upper level of the shops. Nice place, if a little trendy
On 21st December 2024
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1585 recommendations about 1562 pubs]
View more reviews of The Cavern of the Curious Gnome (10)
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- Official site of The Cavern of the Curious Gnome - thecavernofthecuriousgnome.co.uk
- Facebook page of The Cavern of the Curious Gnome - www.facebook.com
- CAMRA WhatPub :: The Cavern of the Curious Gnome - whatpub.com
Pub Details
Pub details supplied by members of this site to the best of their knowledge. Please check with pub directly before making a special trip.
- Accommodation : No last updated 13 October 2024 by ROB Camra
- Bar Billiards : No last updated 13 October 2024 by ROB Camra
- Beer Festivals : No last updated 13 October 2024 by ROB Camra
- Beer Garden : No last updated 13 October 2024 by ROB Camra
- CAMRA Discount : Yes - 20% Monday - Thursday inclusive - last updated 13 October 2024 by ROB Camra
- Car Park : No last updated 13 October 2024 by ROB Camra
- Child Friendly : No last updated 13 October 2024 by ROB Camra
- Darts : No last updated 13 October 2024 by ROB Camra
- Dog Friendly : No last updated 13 October 2024 by ROB Camra
- Function Room : No last updated 13 October 2024 by ROB Camra
- Hot Food : Yes last updated 13 October 2024 by ROB Camra
- Jukebox : Yes last updated 13 October 2024 by ROB Camra
- Karaoke : No last updated 13 October 2024 by ROB Camra
- Live Music : No last updated 13 October 2024 by ROB Camra
- Live TV Sports : No last updated 13 October 2024 by ROB Camra
- Micropub : No last updated 13 October 2024 by ROB Camra
- Pinball : No last updated 13 October 2024 by ROB Camra
- Pool Table : No last updated 13 October 2024 by ROB Camra
- Quiz Night : No last updated 13 October 2024 by ROB Camra
- Real Ale : Yes last updated 13 October 2024 by ROB Camra
- Real Cider : No last updated 13 October 2024 by ROB Camra
- Wheelchair Access : No last updated 13 October 2024 by ROB Camra
- WiFi : Yes last updated 13 October 2024 by ROB Camra
