So, off on a low key stag do in Chester this weekend. Races, bite to eat & a few drinks. I don’t think the guy that’s organised it has much of a clue where’s good and where’s not, so looking for some recommendations please. We’re a bunch of 40 somethings, so we’ll (I’ll!) be looking for the more sedate bars/clubs please – you know, wheelchair access and induction loops, that kind of thing. No footballer/Hollyoaks hangouts I guess 🙂

Any recommendations please? Ta 🙂

Hollyoaks is filmed in an old school in childwall in liverpool miles away so no problems mmeeting them.

As for chester a violent place, lots of thugs out at night,poor policing, just not enough of them,oh and dont urinate on the rows there are plastic urinals with no privacy on the main streets, and if you always think the romans camer to chester many years ago and then left, and absolutely nothing got done since, just a few sets of traffic lights, then youll be ok.

Chester for a night out is grim!

Still… I think you’re still legally allowed to shoot Welshmen, after midnight, with a crossbow, or something. Every cloud eh? 😀

I think you’re still legally allowed to shoot Welshmen, after midnight, with a crossbow, or something.

That’s the rumour. Whenever I’m there, I make sure I put on a comedy Manchester accent and only engage in pie-related conversation. 😉 So far I’ve escaped their attention, but it’s been touch-and-go on a couple of occasions.

😀

I had a night out in chester a few weeks back with the lads, we had a good time, the novelty of somewhere new always makes it seem abit better.

We went to ‘odd fellows’ & the ‘Commercial’ I think, pretty good atmosphere, couldnt complain.

The risk of violence exists in any town centre on Saturday night, we found Chester to be quite friendly

As for chester a violent place, lots of thugs out at night

Really?

I forgot to mention we’re all Yaaarkshireists, is that going to give us some grief? 😉

I like the idea of shooting (only wounding you understand, I’m not a complete thug) a random Welshman, probably brighten up an otherwise dull weekend 😀

I can’t believe Chester could be any more violent than Halifax on a night out, so having survived 25 years of socialising there, I think we’ll be ok 🙂

I like the idea of shooting (only wounding you understand, I’m not a complete thug) a random Welshman, probably brighten up an otherwise dull weekend

Racialist. 👿

Think I might go oop Yaaarkshire way this weekend, where I’ll wee on a whippet and teabag a pint of John Smiths whilst sporting a natty Eisteddfod hat and singing Land of Our Fathers. 😉

where I’ll wee on a whippet and teabag a pint of John Smiths

I think you’ll find a pint of John Smiths already contains enough piss 🙂

I’ve been out in Chester a lot, it’s just as rough/safe as any other town, depending on your perspective.

A couple of tips though. Chester is quite strict on their door policies at the weekend, especially on big meet weekends at the races (even more so in the flat season). Groups of guys who are suited and booted will struggle to get in many places. I’d recommend splitting up. Conversely, many places won’t let you in with trainers at the weekend (at least that was the case a few years ago), so best not to go too casual (one of my friends resorted to putting black socks over his trainers to sneak past the doormen!).

Chester during and after the races will be rammed, has the organiser booked the restaurant and any of the bars? Some bars will operate a guest list during a race meeting such as Bar lounge on Watergate Street. For that reason I would always eat out of town when the races are on. There is always trouble after the meets, whether that is more or less than any other city centre on a Saturday night, who knows.

The Architect is excellent and during the races they have a temporary bar in the garden overlooking the race course. Same with the Abode hotel during the races which is also next door to the race course

There is a selection of bars including slug and Lettuce, chain stuff or as other have mentioned odd fellows or the commercial. Worth a try but at the other end of town is Harkers down by the canal and close to the train station or try the Chester Church which has just opened behind the Blackhouse grill. Heard a couple of good reports but not tried it myself yet. the Falcon pub on Lower bridge street for Sam Smiths is ok if you are looking for something traditional.

There will be plenty of mutton dressed up that for sure and some interesting sights 😯

Woody, I’m a Yorkshire man who’s lived in Chester for the Last 15 year, you’ll be fine, just don’t try the bow and arrow trick, only works on market days 😆

Violent? really? i been going out in chester since the late 80’s and can’t ever remember it being violent, in fact at this time of year its OK as there are loads of tourists about!. I’d rather you didn’t pee in the rows as it smells horrible but other than that its OK!. having said that i mostly go in the daytime as i’m getting old…. but i do take clients out there from time to time for meals etc and have always returned unscathed.

here you go:

http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/recommend-me-some-bars-in-chester

Peter/Jules – good info, cheers. There’s only 8 of us, guess that will constitute a reasonable size group still though. I’m pretty sure that nowhere will have been booked, this has all been very last minute. Surprised he managed to book a hotel TBH, so chuff knows where we’ll be staying! 🙂

Oddfellows is pretty good, they have little secluded covered seating area with curtains in the garden, i think you would have to book those… really nice food as well in the restaurant.

here

Everywhere will be heaving though…

Chester Council will be bringing in the extra portal loos for the races and that has cut down smell a bit on the rows, dotted all around the city centre.

Forgot about the amber lounge and also living room.

It will be manic in town this weekend with the weather/race combo – glad I’m off to the coast.
Fave place right now is The Architect but I know the head chef and he’s said it will be completely rammed. I hope you have a good time anyway 🙂