Red Lion Chester

Walk into the Red Lion and you're getting the real thing—a proper pub that sits comfortably on Northgate Street without any pretension. The place has that worn-in feel that comes from generations of Chester folk propping up the bar, which means you'll find everything from after-work drinkers to groups settling in for a meal. The food is straightforward pub fare done well enough that people keep coming back (those 1,400-odd reviews aren't fluffy), and the drinks selection won't disappoint whether you're after a pint of lager or something with a bit more character. It's the kind of place where you can be loud without feeling out of place, or quiet if that's your mood.