The Cavern Of The Curious Gnome in Cheshire West and Chester

Popped in for a drink after Xmas markets. Lively, fun atmosphere and friendly service

Love this place, come every time I am in Chester can't beat it

Happy we found this gem in Chester. Fine selection!

4 family members visited on Saturday evening at around 8:30 pm. The doorman said the bar was full, and we’d have to wait for people to leave. 4 people left, so we asked if we could go in. He said no. I counted another 9 people leave and assumed we’d be ok to go in. He said no, again. We pointed out that quite a few people had left, but it felt like he was just being difficult on purpose and on some sort of a power trip. It was very bizarre. We gave up and went to a nice pub down the road. On the way back, we thought we’d try again. The bar staff do not look like they want to be there, at all. The guy that served us was very serious, gave one word answers and made us feel very uncomfortable. When you’re paying over £10 a drink and are effectively helping places stay in business, I don’t expect to feel hostility and be made to feel unwelcome and like everything is too much trouble. The whole order was very rushed, and we didn’t even get to look at the menu on the board. The worst was yet to come! We wanted to get some fresh air so we went outside to find somewhere to sit down. One of the staff members literally came up behind me and tried to yank my drink out of my hand in the most aggressive way possible. The look on his face was scary and unnerving. It was totally unnecessary. I told him not to touch me and to let me finish my drink. Why give people the option to drink outside if you’re going to behave like that? If he thought I was going to keep a basic half a pint glass, why not simply ask me? It is not acceptable to pounce on a woman from behind and try to grab her hand. Thank god my boyfriend and stepdad were with me! I certainly don’t need a 50p half a pint glass, and I certainly won’t ever be returning here again! Also, please check your bill as the last time we came here, we were overcharged. When I mentioned it, they acted daft and refunded me in cash. It still wasn’t right, so I queried it again for the principle. Such a shame as we’ve been coming here for years, but something has seriously changed. I don’t know if it’s under new management or there’s a bad work ethic, but the customers can feel the bad vibe! Save yourself the hassle and ungratefulness and walk further down to Lower Bridge Street, where you can also find proper ales, a service with a smile and more reasonable prices!

As good as ever, superb choice of beers and the best friendly atmosphere in Chester! Super staff, very knowledgeable and helpful.

What a wonderful and quirky place with an excellent selection of wines downstairs in the 'Paysan Bar' and beers upstairs in 'The Cavern of The Curious Gnome' with food such as rotisserie chicken and chips too! The setting up on the Bridge Street rows in an historic building just adds to the quirkiness and atmosphere making this a must for anyone looking for somewhere different to meet, drink and socialise in the heart of Chester City.

Good selection of Belgian beers.

Class beers, lovely environment, what more could you ask for?

Great little wine bar/continental beer palace. Had a great bottle of South African red and the best chicken and chips ever. 10/10👍🏻🥂😍

Amazing atmosphere! Incredible staff, just a great vibe.

Just love going her for the Belgium beers 🍻 Chicken and chips is really good and not badly priced 🤗

Chicken and chips The best in Chester 🥰

Brilliant for beer and downstairs the wine bar and food looked great. Well worth finding - find King Kabs on bridge street go up to the Rows into Paysan and upstairs.

Fantastic bar, however, No Dogs Allowed :-( Returned 14/09/24, still great beers.

One of the few places where priced are still reasonable and the food is banging

I came here yesterday after getting a recommendation from the staff of another pub. I wasn't disappointed, the beers were goodwith a good selection and the food was good with good value for money I did struggle to find it as its upstairs in a wine bar It's definitely worth trying out if you like your beer

Fabulous. Try the Battenburg Pastry Stout, it's delicious and potent.

Slightly expensive but an excellent spot.

Very good, down to earth quirky Belgian bar. Huge room, very atmospheric. Great beers and simple menu. Highly recommended.

Don’t come to Chester without checking out this place. Quirky doesn’t do it justice. Mushrooms for bar stools and an enormous gnome next to the bar all adds to making it extra special while you sup some very fine ales and continental beers. If ale isn’t you’re thing then this probably ain’t your place but it does sit above Paysan a very fine wine bar and there’s always a game of “spot the most expensive wine” on the three enormous chalk boards as you visit the toilets shared by both bars. We didn’t eat here so can’t review the food it smells and looks delicious. A great place to spend an hour (or several)

Excellent range of Belgium beers and others in a friendly environment, well worth seeking out, enjoy

Wine speciality downstairs and beer speciality upstairs. Quite busy even on a Wednesday evening so we sat at the bar upstairs where we were overseen by a huge gnome.

It is wacky and good service I would recommend because of the gnomes and it is relaxing good 👍😊.

Such a fantastic little bar.. Love Belgian beer and will always come back here..

What a find, did not even know this place existed after living here for a few years 🤦‍♂️ Great selection of continental beers, few I recognised from various road trips into Europe which I never thought I would see available in the UK - let alone on draught. Will be back!

Excellent upstairs bar with good real ale.

A very welcoming place with a great selection of beer including an impressive selection of Belgian beers and more local draft/keg options. The food was simple but tasty and the staff super friendly. Prices were very reasonable. Highly recommended.

Outstanding place to eat drink and staff are brilliant.

Great place to go and have a few ales and enjoy. Great selection of beers and the right food for it

If you want to enjoy a taste of Belgium beer in Chester, this is the place for you. Fantastic range of keg/draft/bottled beer, well kept and served. The "cavern" is located in an airy loft, above Paysan. And the pictures don't lie, the decor is an absolute treat.

Excellent selection of Belgium beers both bottled and draft plus a selection of hand pulled ales

Quirky bar serving great quality beers

Great selection of bgium and German beers friendly staff welcoming atmosphere

Great place to meet friends. Extensive wine list. We shared a cheese board, fantastic choice of cheese and artisan bread. Very friendly and helpful staff

Definitely worth a visit when in Chester!

Amazing location, very atmospheric, good selection of beers.

Great selection of Belgian and German beers, and the rotisserie chicken and chips is probably the best you'll ever have. Not expensive either

Absolutely amazing place. We've visited in an evening and during the day. It is such a sociable place, everyone seems so friendly. We took our (older) kids during the day and they thought it was great too.

Potentially good pub with a good beer selection that totally destroys it's welcome by drowning out it's customers ability to converse by exceptionally high volume music. Probably works for the bar staff, not the customers. Won't be returning. Avoid if you want a conversation.

This place just has to be visited. One of the great curiosities of the UK. Just visit and you will see why.

Decent bat in a good location. Upstairs real ales

Amazing selection. Overall great

there weren't enough gnomes I expected more even though the name of the place suggested that there was only one. I guess I'm just a little bit silly

Very different vibe, great Belgium beer, friendly staff and the food was perfect.

What a great find. If your thing is beers from around Europe this is your utopia.

I never be come to here on before. I need breakfast on last morning. I leave from guest house on last morning. No problem

What an amazing bar, really quirky and atmospheric. The selection of beers is jaw dropping with very knowledgeable staff. We also tried the platters, a mixed one and the ham hock terrine…..both were wow! The bread was out of this world and everything on the platter was so delicious and excellent value for money.

A great but quirky pub located above a Paysan. It can get busy, but well worth a visit. They have a great selection of beers and a wide price range.

As close to a bruges bar you will get in this country. Extensive choice of beers and great cheeseboard/snacks or frites and chicken. With lively atmosphere.

Brilliant place. A vibrant bar if you can find. Staff were excellent, friendly patrons. A good choice of beers. We called for 1 drink and had a few.

One of Chester's hidden gems that must be checked out if you love beer. Huge variety of Belgian and European beers available, either on tap or in bottles. One of the most uniquely themed bars you'll come across. Great beer selection, great selection of tunes on the jukebox, and fantastic staff. No wonder it's one of my favourite places to go to in Chester!

A must visit good range of Belgium beer plus others

Superb beer selection and specialising in Belgian and European beers. Lots to choose from along with a good cask and can or bottles in the fridges. Could be missed if you didn't know it was up the stairs in paysan, was busy but well catered for.

Excellent beer hall. Good selection of ale and beer on draught. Cheese board and bread tastes fantastic alongside a few beers.

So pleased we found this bar. Super friendly staff, great choice of international beers and wines. Great atmosphere.

Such a cool spot with inside and outside seating. Downstairs you drink wine, upstairs you drink beer. Bathrooms are nice. Bartender was great. Really helped us pick the best wine for us even though it was busy. I recommend a stop here.

Good selection of beers fast service. Nice early evening beer.

Charming enough place to drink upstairs made my wallet quite a lot lighter

Good beer and wine bar, busy and full of atmosphere. Good choice of wines and beers. Worth a visit.

Blink and you think you are in Belgium. The best Belguum beer themed pub in UK that I've been to.

Love this place a little on the pricey side but worth a visit

Great selection of beers and all sorts strengths! Not the easiest to find this quirkiest of bars. Lovely cheese board for a snack

Really nice selection of beers. Free jukebox with great selection.

Curious but not so curious place. Very popular, so people can't be wrong.

Lots of lovely beers in a darkened cavern. Get yourselves upstairs and sip the night away.

Brilliant selection of draught beers for people that care about quality beer. If you can find it, then maybe you too can enjoy this hidden gem.

Loved this quirky place. Only criticism was does not sell any Ciders, not even in bottles. There were 6 of us in our party and 2 drink cider

We love it here! Quirky and cosy

Best place in Chester. Amazing array of interesting beers, excellent atmosphere and the chicken and chips is something else. Better still, you can leave the missus downstairs at the wine bar.

Barman pleasant. Beer choice very good. Not too busy on Monday at 4pm.

It's a struggle to find because you have to go up a level in the old town then through a wine bar and up the stairs but it is well worth the hunt. Only 4 cask ales (quality by the way ) but the choice of Keg is phenomenal. Food looked fabulous but wasn't hungry, will definitely call in again, now I know where it is.

Atmospheric and chill place to grab a drink and well seasoned and tasty rotisserie chicken. Staff were very friendly, especially in the wine bar downstairs. Brilliant Belgian beer selection. Half rotisserie chicken and chips was £11.95(?) but had we gone two days prior they had one of their surprise £5 chicken and chips deals which they announce on socials.

My new favourite place in Chester! What a great pub and selection of beers.

Ask for the (secret?) beer that's not listed on the Trappist page of the beer menu: Tynt Meadow. It's the first Trappist beer to be brewed in England since the reformation! A great selection of beers here, a friendly welcome, and a comfortable and unpretentious environment. There was such a great playlist on during my visit that I had to keep putting down my library book to listen. Yes, solo travellers are welcome, as well as groups. If you're an oversea visitor, note that this is pub rules - you buy your drink at the bar, and carry it to your table. If you just sit down and wait, you court disappointmen. 🍻

Great selection of beer. Literally hundreds. Good bar snacks. Lively atmosphere

Saw this place on tripadvisor and wanted to go. Found it very hard to find it and were a little disappointed with the lack of gnomes. I did feel like going out and buying some to leave there. I loved the toadstool bar stools and it was funny to see men sat on them Please note they only sell beers here - but in the bar downstairs you can buy other drinks and take it upstairs to the gnome bar.

Great place to drink with friends, and plenty of space to sit.

Group of 6,love the atmosphere. We didn't eat but will next time 😁

Great place to spend a good afternoon enjoying some great, and well kept, beers. Staff were spot on, knowledgeable about the brews and other drinks that they have on offer, as well as prompt service at the bar... which always makes the experience flow. It is also pleasant to see a business that is happy to share their own opinions about the wider world, and not just the great beers that they are pouring. So as a Russian speaker and general Russophile, I give you a big thumbs up.

Great bar, knowledgeable friendly staff. Amazing selection of my favorite beers and a statement that has nothing to do with politics, it's how most people feel.

Bangin beers, awesome service, very friendly gnome.

Excellent place with great slogans, which are very enjoyable to read while drinking and eating, particularly because they are all correct.

Great place and great food. Bar staff are really friendly and the beers are pretty amazing too. We always pay a visit when we are in town.

Great beer, fantastic staff, a perfect place.

Great beer, great atmosphere, great people. Great political slogans!

political slogans in the pub. pubs should be out of politics. there are tourists from different countries here

Best beers, good service! Just so much political slogans.. pub need be out of political

Great selection of continental beers, draft and bottled. V extensive wine list. Serve small plates of cured meats and cheeses which looked fabulous. Will call next time in Chester.

A real privilege drinking ale in here. Not just a classic bar but 4 cask pumps are pouring undoubtedly the best beer I’ll probably drink this week. Well worth seeking out and if you manage to secure a table - do not venture anywhere else❗️

Very good cheeseboard with really nice breads. Fine selection of Belgian beers. Disappointing selection of cask beers - only golden beers available (with 4 pumps they should offer a choice)

Quirky hidden gem in Chester. Upstairs from Paysan (you'd miss it if you didn't know about it). Lots of attention to detail and if you're a fan of Belgian beer, you'll love it here!

Great gem of Chester for European beers Fantastic bar a little bit hard to find as up on the Third floor but well worth repeatedly visiting

Wednesday 30th August 2023 This place is well hidden, but it its well worth hunting out if a lover of real ales and the been in places weired This place is a great barn of real ale and Peice to talk Good staff and a pleasant time had Well done all involved

A great choice of beers, on draft and bottled. I really liked it here and look forward to returning!

Situated above a wine bar/restaurant, the pub upstairs offers a wide selection of real ales. If you want wine you have to go downstairs. A very good ambience with toadstool seats at the bar. We'll worth a visit.

Superb place if you enjoy good beer and wine as they stock a vast range of both. Downstairs is the winebar while upstairs is where you'll find the beers on sale. There you'll find great Belgian beers like Chimay, Trappiste Rochfort and Westmalle. Well worth a visit when in Chester.

Brilliant hidden place,if you don't know where it is you probably won't find it,grab a comfy toadstool at the bar if you can! A wide range of ales available,lots of quirky decorations.If you can visit,give this unique bar a try-you won't be disappointed!

Great beers and quirky deco and atmosphere. I wanted to love it but £7.20 for two thirds of La Chouffe?! I probably won't be back at that price.

The lure of the gnome always draws you back. Step into Daddy Gnome's realm and enjoy a few belgium beers with Gerald the gert big gnome marra. Put some tunes on the juke box and vacate the pains of modern life. MAKE SURE YOU GET A CHEESEBOARD!!!

Great selection of continental beers