Marlbororough Arms, Chester

I've tried to like this place but the Stonehouse stuff is not particularly good and it does border on the expensive side.

Brewer's Tudor facade, with the narrow interior stripped out to leave mostly bare boards but some stone tiles at back. Limited furniture, comprising sofas at front, a few upended barrels and long thin tables at the rear. A bit dark, but the side windows towards the back help. Three of four handpumps in operation, all offering Stonehouse Brewery ales: Station Bitter, Cambrian Gold and Sunlander (£2.80) Also had a range of imported bottled beers plus Briska pear cider and Mongozo banana beer on tap. NB - The strange name apparently results from a signwriter's error.