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Falcon, Chester

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Operator: Samuel Smith
Lower Bridge Street, Chester, CH1 1RS (View on Google Map)
No website available
  • Outstanding pub conversion

This Pub is Closed Long Term

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.

Information for this venue is provided by the West Cheshire Branch of CAMRA
Previous Names
Local Authority
Cheshire West and Chester (B)
Last updated
18/06/2024
Last surveyed
Leasehold owner
unknown
Freehold owner
Samuel Smith
Pub ID
CLW/648
Asset of Community Value

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 1992 by the Duke of Westminster. Of particular historic note are the three 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. The rest of the interior consists of reworked timbers and the bar is modern with herring-bone brickwork.

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 1992 by the Duke of Westminster. Of particular historic note are the three 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. The rest of the interior consists of reworked timbers and the bar is modern with herring-bone brickwork.

General information about historic pub interiors

Conversion

The Falcon is a striking half-timbered late-medieval building in the town centre that is the surviving half of a C12 town house for an aristocratic family. The two-roomed back bar has a stairway up to a function room. In the C19 it was an inn and cocoa house, one of five operated by Chester Cocoa Tavern Company. Extensive but sensitive restoration and installation of bar fittings were carried out before reopening in 1982. Of 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 still seen in Chester's main streets.

General information about outstanding conversions and restorations
Opening Times Unavailable

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Current beers

This Pub serves no changing beers and 1 regular beer.

Regular and recently seen

Samuel Smith - Old Brewery Bitter TasteMatch Prediction

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Samuel Smith - Old Brewery Bitter
Samuel Smith - Old Brewery Bitter Session Bitter • 4% Spotted once.
Samuel Smith - Old Brewery Bitter
Samuel Smith - Old Brewery Bitter

This beer is served regularly and Spotted once. at Falcon, Chester.

ABV 4%
Dispense Handpump
Style Session Bitter
Colour
Vegan No
Gluten Free No

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Facilities
Real Fire Real Fire
Features
Cask Ale Cask Ale
OCR Pub OCR Pub
Quiet Quiet
Transport
Close to bus routes
Closest station (1150m)
Chester
Directions
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