The Ship Inn, Chester

Visited on a recent Saturday evening. Quite busy with no spare seating due to several tables being reserved for diners who had booked, however we were able to utilise a 'reserved' table where the booking was not until later on. Four hand pulls at the bar, one was off, the others offering Thwaites IPA and Original, and Mobberley Bunji as the guest ale. The Bunji was £3.80 for a pint and disappointingly bland. Not sure if this is down to the beer, or whether it was a bit past its best. Can't really argue with Brainy Pool in the previous review - and having experienced this establishment both in the afternoon and the evening, I definitely preferred it in the afternoon. Not somewhere that's going to set your heart racing on the ale front and there are many better options in Chester on that front, but it was busy so must be doing something right.

I may be the first to visit of an evening rather than afternoon but I also found it to be full of people called Julian and Emily. many with their ‘lovely doggy’ in tow. I found it to be more middle class wine bar than pub, seriously pretentious and dull. Lots of prosecco, gin and tea flying around. Thwaites Gold and Amber available if you fancy. I made a hasty departure as I was clearly hogging a table that Julian and Emily were waiting for.

Visited this lunch time. Five hand pulls at the bar, though two were off, the other three offering Thwaites Gold, Thwaites Amber and Weetwood Cheshire Cat. I think there must be some kind of bylaw in Chester that says all pubs have to offer Weetwood Cheshire Cat, it just seems to be everywhere. I went for the Thwaites Amber at £1.75 for a half, which was nice enough. The pub itself is fairly small inside but the space is well utilised with plenty of seating without feeling too crowded. A few people were in this lunch time so it felt reasonably busy and there was a pleasant atmosphere, it just felt peaceful and calm. A real fire was going in the wood burning stove. It is child and dog friendly. Nothing to get too excited about on the beer front, but it's a nice enough place to pass some time.

Nothing has changed since ROB Camra's review. What he didn't mention was that its also expensive and, to be honest, dull.