Telford's Warehouse, Chester

This is one of a number of converted canal-side industrial buildings in Chester, now housing an excellent pub and live music venue. A grade II listed former warehouse, the building was converted to a pub back in the 1980's, but was badly damaged by a fire in 2000 which led to a lengthy closure and restoration which has brought us the pub in its present form. The pub is split across three floors, with the entrance taking you into the main bar at ground floor level. This is a spacious open-plan room with wooden floor, bare brick walls and a wonderful centrepiece in the shape of an old crane presumably once used to lift goods into and out of the warehouse. Seating is mostly in the form of scrubbed tables and standard chairs, although there are a few sofas on a slightly raised area in one corner. Large windows on the right hand wall give a wonderful view out across the basin which is lined with benches for those wanting to drink outside in warmer weather. There are some fairly odd bits and bobs decorating the room, including some painted pallets hung on one wall, an old red phone box and a wicker pig, none of which detracts from what is otherwise a nice space, made even better by the attractive bar back which was very nicely presented and included an old beer bottle collection. A low stone archway to the left leads to the lower level which has plenty more seating and is used as the live music venue. There is a restaurant space and contemporary art gallery upstairs, although I didn't get round to having a look myself. There was a good range of beers to suit just about all tastes. Five handpulls offered regulars Weetwood Cheshire Cat and Thwaites Original plus guests in the shape of Beerworks Doctor Morton's Snake Oil, Boggart Rum Porter and Mordue Workie Ticket. An extensive keg range included the light and dark versions of Erdinger as well as Ashai, Timmermans Strawberry Beer, La Chouffe and Warstiener. I gave the Snake Oil a try which was in top condition and served to me by a very friendly and helpful barman. It's good to see a building like this being put to such good use and it appears to be very successful, with a handsome list of well-known artists who have played here displayed on their website and a great beer policy. I was a bit sceptical about this place but it won me over and I wouldn't hesitate to call in again the next time I'm in town.

A large barn like conversion of a former warehouse in a pleasant spot next to the canal. It’s a good sized pub over three floors, with a different feel to each level. The ground floor is the biggest area with large floor to ceiling windows completely covering one wall and offering views down the canal. There is also some outside seating here. The walls are all exposed brick, big rafters in the open vaulted ceiling and in a nod to it’s industrial past, a large crane in the centre of the room. The upstairs area is a little cosier and more geared up for dining, while the lowest level is through some brick arches and has low ceilings, perhaps a little more rough and ready, and is split in to two. One half has a table football game and a few leather sofas, and the other side is open with a stage at one end. Bands feature prominently here with something on most weekend nights. Forthcoming acts were chalked up on a board above the bar. Good choice of beers on tap with Thwaites Original and IPA, Weetwood Cheshire Cat, Harviestoun Bitter and Twisted and the local (for me, that is) RCH East Street Cream. Ciders were Kingston Press and a Stowford Press Export, which I’ve not seen before.

Good choice of real ales and a great view over the canal moorings. It's a bit out on a limb though. We usually visit here for a late lunch, so I cannot comment about night time. Ususally call in for one whenever I'm in Chester though. There's a derrick in the middle of the pub, probably from this warehouse's past. It's actually on 3 levels. There's the main bar area, an upstairs area that serves food and behind a curtain there's a lower area where the bands play. There's a few benches and tables alongside the canal for outdoor drinking. All in all we like it.

A large brick build former warehouse that looks pretty neat from the waterside, but a little scruffy from the road. There is a nice beer patio. The interior is on two levels and mainly set out for food. The brick, beams and wood floor, which give a feel to the place regarding its former use, are matched against some sofas, arty pictures, three bits of wood crate on the wall (representing the working man!)and a red telephone box. With a slightly upmarket feel and prices, i couldnt warm to the place too much, especially as the service was functional, though of course, as i didnt like it, it was well attended! Beer; tap stuff, with a decent Rudgate Ruby MILD and Cottage Brewery Triumph Stag on handpull. There was also the untried Thwaites Original and Weetwood Cheshire Cat. Cant moan about the beer, thats why it is in the new GBG. The interior has good and bad points, not quite to my taste, but i have seen much worse. Worth a visit.