Watergates - Cheshire West and Chester

Recently refurbished although you wouldn't know unless you were told. The roof terrace has had a revamp but I've not had chance to check that yet. Good selection of beers, although the cheaper beers aren't up to much. Usually a good atmosphere, especially at night. Food used to be one of the best all rounders but they have recently introduced a offers menu and the quality has suffered for it.

Watergates is a great novelty bar and the ambiance in the old cellar makes the place feel really quite unique. It is of course quite dark and on a busy night can feel a bit stuffy and crowded but is much more pleasant during the day time. The food is reasonable and the service is fast but I was less impressed by the drinks particularly the draught beers which never quite taste right to me. Also service at the bar can be very slow during busy times as it is quite small compared to the overall size of the place. If you do visit, I would advise making for the back of the place which has an extra seating area tucked slightly away from the main part fewer people and slightly quieter plus not too far to walk to the bar!

Huge stone pillars and archways dominate this wine bar with the feel of a cellar. Quite a busy place, particularly on a Saturday night, a good range of drinks at the Bar too, which is dominated by a vast array of different spirits. There is also a promotion here that gets you accelerated entry to a local nightclub (Babylon, I think). The seating in the bar itself is dominated by large leather seats and high tables, usually occupied though. A better bet is the quieter seating to the back behind a huge iron gate!

Beneath the rows and at basement level on Watergate Street, this bar and restaurant gives a crypt like, warm feel to a night out with friends. There are a few places to sit and few different rooms to choose from with eerie lighting and stone floors and walls. The bar is well stocked with plenty of staff and this place gets really busy at the weekend. Upstairs there is a terrace with patio heaters which is largely populated by smokers in the winter but by everyone in the summer. Watch your footing up and down the stairs near the entrance I've seen loads of people trip! Watergates serves food too although i've only ever sampled a wrap at lunchtime which was ok. Wouldn't mind eating there as the wine is good so it'd be good to have something to go with it!

I rate Watergates. We usually tend to stick this end of town. Ok, prices are a bit more but it's a nicer environment (less teeny boppers). Gets pretty crowded at times but hey, that's part of it's charm!