|
The thing about bars and pubs is that, unless they have a big personality of their own, they take on the character of their clientele. Amber Lounge's personality is demure and retiring for the most part, tending to raucous and unpredictable after a few dozen bottles of chardonnay. It isn't a big place and it can quickly take on the mood of even a small group of customers, if that group is sufficiently dominant. On our last visit that group was a bunch of pissed-up footie fans, who may have wandered in having given up looking for a 'proper' pub.
This used to be one of Chester's 'proper' pubs. A row level, massive beamed, sticky-carpeted dive that is unrecognisable as the whitewash-beamed, air conditioned, backlit lounge it is today. Frankly, it looks far better than it ever did back then. At least when it's quiet - when it's busy it looks pretty much like anywhere else.
We like it best during the daytime and early evening, when you can have a nice chat without shouting your head off. The atmosphere is clean, relaxed, cool without being flash. The clientele predominantly female. There is a tempting food menu but this is only available for a few short hours. There is nothing available in the evening, not so much as a peanut. Everything changes when the bouncers arrive, though. Overcrowded, too loud, inimical to civilised socialising, it is almost as if the door staff are there to drag in the rowdies and the yahoos.
Service is efficient but not especially friendly. Drinks are pretty well presented: glasses clean but not chilled. There is the usual range of beverages, with no apparent specialities. Prices are highish. Come for lunch, avoid on Saturday night.
|
