Falcon, Chester

One of a swathe of closed Sam Smith's pubs across the north of England. It re-opened in November 2023 after many years of closure but sadly the new tenants lasted only until June 2024.

The Falcon is a famous Chester landmark, easy to find, being a striking half-timbered substantial building set on a large crossroads in the town centre. A traditional style pub in an impressive black and white building which is the surviving half of a twelfth century mediaeval town house. Situated within the city walls on the edge of the main shopping area, it attracts a varied clientele. The two-roomed back bar has a stairway leading to an upstairs (but rarely opened) function room. Purchased by the Grosvenor family in the 1600s, the building was extensively modified and haphazardly repaired in the 19th century. It was then that it was first used an an inn and a "cocoa house". In 1979 the Grosvenor estate donated the building to the Falcon Trust. After extensive restoration work, the Falcon was re-opened in 1982 by the Duke of Westminster. Of particular historic note are the large stone piers and a late medieval timber partition in the front bar which are the remnants of an elevated "row" similar to those which can still be seen in Chester's main streets. Possessed of a spacious bar, with traditional surroundings, it serves traditional beer from Tadcaster in Yorkshire. This is one of two outlets for Sam Smiths in Chester - the Boot being the other.