Old Harkers Arms
Well run canalside building with a lively atmosphere, fantastic range of drinks and extremely good food
There was indeed a Mr Harker who once ran a canal-boat chandler’s here right next to the Shropshire Union Canal ? you can still watch the boats from the tall windows that run the length of the main bar. The striking industrial interior with its high ceilings is divided into user-friendly spaces by brick pillars. Walls are covered with old prints hung frame-to-frame, there’s a wall of bookshelves above a leather banquette at one end, the mixed dark wood furniture is set out in intimate groups on stripped-wood floors and attractive lamps lend some cosiness; board games. Cheerful staff serve Phoenix Brunning & Price Original and Weetwood Cheshire Cat Blonde Ale with guests such as Abbeydale Moonshine, Big Hand Havok, Heavy Industry Freak Chick, Titanic Plum Porter and Woodfordes Norfolk Nog on handpump, 120 malt whiskies, 20 wines from a well described list, 30 gins and six farm ciders,
Brasserie-style food includes sandwiches, pulled pork croquettes with barbecue sauce and green chilli coleslaw, baked camembert with rosemary and garlic, sweet potato, cauliflower and chickpea tagine with lemon and coriander couscous, local sausages with mash and onion gravy, cumin and chilli chicken with tzatziki and sweet potato wedges, smoked haddock and salmon fishcakes with tomato and spring onion salad, slow-braised lamb shoulder with dauphinoise potatoes and gravy, and puddings such as crème brûlée and hot waffle with butterscotch sauce and honeycomb ice-cream.
Opening Times
Bar food times: 12pm-9.30pm
Address
Old Harkers Arms, 1 Russell Street, Chester, CH3 5AL