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Albion Inn, Chester
Chester
CH1 1RN
Pub Type
Punch TavernsReviews (Current Rating Average: 8 of 10) see review guidelines
Bucking Fastard left this review about Albion Inn
What a beautiful pub,just below the Walls and worth desceding to.We approached with trepidation aware that the landlord of 50 years had died not long ago but were delighted to find his widow had taken on the pub and it was thriving and completely unchanged save the sad loss.The interior walls are full of great beweriana and metal adverts,collected over a lifetime and among the best I've seen. The multi room layout remains ,it's totally charming and the small island bar serves all the rooms.The larger is to the left of the side entrance and is two sections with traditional furniture and the three handpumps.Through a corridor is a smaller front lounge and then through an archway a charming small snug where a cards school was in action.This in turn has a door to the entrance lobby.
We chatted to the friendly landlady who was younger than her husband and wants to carry on his good work.We celebrated the no children rule ,large pub crawl groups may not get served and on Chester racing days the pub closes early and will be selective about entry.Don't try to enter in fancy dress of any description !
On a Thursday evening we were of median age but when a lone younger female entered for a quiet glass of wine the landlady chatted to her,the locals were friendly and the barman a font of knowledge about the Chester pub scene.Traditional food is served here from a short menu and there are no chips,it's old school and food won't impact on the evening drinking sessions.
The ale selection was TT Boltmakers (NBSS 3.5),Black Sheep Bitter and Sharp's Atlantic nothing to get the pulse racing but you don't come here for knockout ale but to revel in a proper pub atmosphere and to enjoy the tradition.An absolute must visit if you care about proper pubs,your custom will help it prosper.
On 12th August 2023
- rating: 9
[User has posted 2727 recommendations about 2727 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Brainy Pool left this review about Albion Inn
The veteran landlord sadly passed away last year, but someone has clearly picked up the baton as nothing has changed here. Still an absolute classic timewarp WW1 theme pub. The last orders bell at 3pm caught me off guard, the pub was really busy at the time too. Wainwrights, Boltmaker and some microbrewery beer on the bar. Only downer is the Covid-relic screens between tables, very off-putting and an unpleasant reminder of the dark days of 2020/21.
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Still a brilliant multi roomed World War theme pub with a tranquil atmosphere. Loads of memorabilia, a piano, closed curtains. Also a TV that was switched off. Oxford Gold and Saddle Tank a pretty uninspired beer selection but it hardly matters in a place like this. To be appreciated until it inevitably changes into ‘just another pub’.
On 3rd June 2022
- rating: 9
[User has posted 1058 recommendations about 1023 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Old Boots left this review about Albion Inn
Well known, multi-room, back street pub, almost a time warp as the wallpaper is old school, the furnishings are in keeping as are some of the floor coverings. The walls are covered in photos, paintings, posters etc commemorating the Great War. The larger room to the left on entering is probably the more public bar like of the rooms. Only two beers on in the central servery, Taylor’s Boltmaker and one other I didn’t record, it had Mosaic in the name so I shut down at that point, a pretty good pint of Boltmaker though. Don’t worry if you fear the curmudgeonly aspect has gone, there are suitable signs in the entrance lobby. Slight but noticeable toilet smell, and the beer was better than the food.
On 14th August 2021
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3269 recommendations about 2978 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about Albion Inn
A backstreet pub with a reputation – cantankerous/idiosyncratic landlord, a list of things and people barred from entering, WWI memorabilia and a traditional atmospheric interior – so we had to do this one! A two bar pub, the left side is a little more public in feel with floral patterned William Morris wallpaper and the most punters. The right side has two rooms with more early C.20th wallpaper and fittings (think standard lamps!), alongside a piano (which would be the only music if it gets played, as the piped stuff doesn’t get an airing in here). Plenty of WWI paraphernalia to admire, though I think there may have been more previously. Two ales, a dull choice of Ringwood Razorback and Wainwright (NBSS 2.5). The place is like a living museum and you need to get up here to see if very soon, as the landlord is retiring at the end of the year. Catch it whilst you can.
On 1st March 2019
- rating: 8
[User has posted 5099 recommendations about 5082 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about Albion Inn
Moorhouse Pride of Pendle and Thwaites' Lancaster Bomber were the ales on in here. Again I forgot to ask for the sparkler to be removed, and when the barman heard me mention this to my companion he offered to pull me another pint without the sparkler. That's service for you - declined of course, as it would have meant wasting a perfectly decent pint of beer. There were sandwiches, and something else called "butties" for £4.90, as well as very generously portioned main meals at reasonable prices as I recall.
A sign outside claims it's an atmospheric pub, and they're right on that one. It's essentially unchanged from previous reviewers' visits. The sign is still there advising on who isn't welcome, and the mass of WWI memorabilia is still to be seen everywhere in the pub. The layout can't have changed much since WWI either, retaining three very distinct rooms. The largest is on the left, accessed via a small vestibule, and is what I guess could be regarded as the lounge. When I was in it had been reserved for some private event - something literary or theatrical I think - but I managed to poke my nose in to see that it was a very comfortable looking room, with its own bar counter, and if possible had even more WWI stuff in it than the other rooms. To the right from the vestibule is a very small room with its own tiny bar counter, and with an old piano with ornate marquetry as its main feature. A doorway from this room leads through to a larger (but still quite small) room. All furnishings are tradtional - obviously.
I reckon that this is a quiet pub, or rather it was on the Wednesday lunchtime when we were in, with no music or TVs on to disturb anyone. I reckon that this is a gem of a pub, and should be on the "must visit" list for anyone visiting Chester.
On 16th September 2015
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Al Bundy left this review about Albion Inn
A great pub. A real 1914-1918 feel at 2015 prices. To add to authenticity the lights go out and the curtains are drawn every time an aeroplane or airship goes over head. Possibly. Outside is a sign informing potential customers who are not welcome e.g. hen/stag parties, drunken pub crawlers, anyone called Kaiser or Adolf. Like being in a war. Without the bombs.
On 21st June 2015
- rating: 9
[User has posted 3487 recommendations about 3390 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Ian Mapp left this review about Albion Inn
On the list of pubs to visit and its unique atmosphere makes it worthy of a review.
Handily located by the Roman Garden (also a must visit) and the City Walls.
Outside, fairly unassuming.
Inside, packed to the rafters with WWI paraphernalia - the whole pub could come out of the 1910s. My Teenage Children said the smell reminded them of their great grandmother's house.
This smell was probably the food - which is based very much on WWI meals. My parents were enthralled on a previous visit. describing it as "Trench Food". My mother attempts at recreating the Shepherd's pie resulted in only partial success.
For the record, we ate the Staffordshire Oat Cake with Black Pudding and Potatoe - praised as being recommended by Rick Stein's food heros. I can only assume Rick is on a diet.
There were three beers on - although I missed the Black Sheep (fav) as it was only on the other side of the central bar. I went with some festive ale called Rudolf's something. In good nick.
So the question is quite what is this pub. I couldn't imaging it as anyone's local as it so quirky and so full of tourists (myself obviously included). One to experience the once, I would think.
On 12th December 2014
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1338 recommendations about 1324 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
John Bonser left this review about Albion Inn
Update – September 2012.
Another very enjoyable visit recently to this excellent street corner Victorian local just inside the city walls which, pleasingly, remains unchanged and pretty much as described in my earlier review below.
The pub retains original etched windows indicating former Greenall Whitley ownership.
The idiosyncratic landlord, Mike Mercer, has now been in situ here for 40 years – “40 years behind bars as he puts it” – and his continuing insistence on “quality customers” remains, as do the various prominent notices telling us who is not welcome – eg, stag, hen or pub crawl groups.
2 beers were on – Coach House Top Hat Bitter and Robinsons Unicorn.
If you’re in Chester and haven’t been before, you really should, but do note the restrictions and be sure to be on your best behaviour.
Original review – October 2008
Splendid Victorian back street local close to the river and just inside the City Walls ( which are well worth walking incidentally, while waiting for opening time ) .
There's 2 interconnecting rooms either side of a central bar.
The evidently idiosyncratic landlord - not sighted during my visit - is a keen collector of World War One memorabilia which is displayed throughout the pub, with Kitchener posters - " put the Hun on Iron Rations" - and enamelled posters etc advertising such delights as Colmans Starch and Frys Chocolate. Note also the splendid wallpaper and period furniture.There's also a piano.
The landlord makes no effort to attract customers who don't fit in to the pub's character. Note the blackboard outside with messages such as " Don't bring your stag, hen or pub crawl here. We don't need you. We don't want you. We won't serve you."and also " no designer drinks, shots". The pub prides itself as being family-hostile.
Whilst not everyone will agree, I have to say that I applaud a pub that is prepared to buck the trend and not pander to the alcopops/ loud music/chain-pub drinker types, even if his motives are doing so are probably largely commercial.
Suffice it to say that at 6.30pm on a windy and damp Thursday evening, the pub was packed with a wide range of discerning customers enjoying the fine atmosphere.
Food - known as "rations" here - is from the old school - eg minced beef, mashed potato and greens etc and is a major draw.
Real ales on were Black Sheep, Landlord and Bombardier.
Not everyone will agree that's for sure, but I regard this as a "must visit" pub.
Long may it flourish and prosper !
On 2nd November 2012
- rating: 8
[User has posted 560 recommendations about 560 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about Albion Inn
Well worth a visit and only a couple of mins walk from Lower Bridge St. This is a well run pub and has a relaxing atmosphere about it. Landlord will not tolerate any chavs, hen or stag parties, noisy children, football crowd etc. In fact there's a list outside on the wall before you enter. Only two on handpump; Black Sheep and a Marston's.
On 5th March 2012
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3382 recommendations about 3381 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about Albion Inn
Side-street pub, located just inside the city walls. Comprises front and back bars, with the latter sub-divided into two 'rooms'. Lot of advertising signage and other memorabilia. Staff a bit grumpy, which comes as no surprise if you note the admonitory sign at the front door. Only three of the five handpumps was working, with a pretty pedestrian selection including Black Sheep and Jennings Bitter (£3.00). Perhaps I caught it on a bad day, but something of a disappointment.
On 1st March 2012
- rating: 6
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]