The Lock Keeper, Chester

Refurbished and much improved since the Frog & Nightingale days. The clientele have been seriously upgraded as well. It's now owned by the same small chain that own the 2 B-Lounges in Manchester and it does feel more like a lounge now. Lot's of bric-a-brac around the walls and on the free standing displays. The canalside patio is a fantastic place to sit and watch the world go by. It looks like this pub may now be Marston's tied as Hobgoblin & Brakspear Oxford Gold were the 2 cask beers available, although there are 3 handpumps. My pint of Hobgoblin was in good nick and the other half liked her red wine. Worth a visit now, if not a long session.

Bit of a chavy dump really, but no worse than other central Darlington pubs and better than some. Badly handled refurb' of a decent old building comprising a big U shaped room with pine furniture, screens and machines, and the standard range of lagers and smooths. There are also 6 handpumps but the beer quality wasn't up to much when I tried it, as the ¾ pint of dire John Smith's Magnet I left behind will testify. The barmaid though was excellent and probably wasted in this kind of place.

A large canalside pub, white rendered with red paintwork and beer patio. Open plan, with a wood floor, this place doubles as a music venue. The decor is yellow, red and a sort of bamboo colour, with wood panel, and there are wood benches, with usual tables and chairs. I didnt really see much in the way of pictures and things. Background music was eay listening and an ok level, service was fine enough but there wasnt a soul in. Beer; usual tap stuff, with Spekky Hen, which was OK and Bombardier on handpull. I think this place would have been better if drinking in the sun by the canal, or watching a gig. It just didnt have anything on our visit.

sits on the bank of the shropshire union canal, a mecca for chester race goers and students, good sports pub with large screen, nice beer and a pleasure sitting on the patio next to the canal. has live bands on at the weekends.