In a paragraph
The Cavern of the Curious Gnome is reached by walking through Paysan on Bridge Street Row and going upstairs. The room looks playful, with gnomes, cave-like decoration and red-and-white toadstool seats, but the beer is taken seriously. Go for Belgian beer, changing cask and staff who can help you find something unfamiliar.
What it's like
The range covers lambic, gueuze, Trappist beer, German lager, British craft beer and five changing cask lines. West Cheshire CAMRA named the Cavern its Pub of the Year for 2026, following an earlier win in 2024. Recent reviews consistently mention both the selection and staff recommendations.
Serious beer in a very unusual room
Food is straightforward and works with the drinks. Beers, wine, cheeseboards and other smaller items are available throughout opening hours, while chicken and frites are served from midday every day. You can also use Paysan downstairs if part of the group is more interested in wine.
Worth knowing
The practical drawbacks are fixed rather than occasional: it is upstairs, CAMRA records no accessible toilet, dogs are not allowed and the venue takes no bookings. It can also be hard to find and busy once you do. Some visitors find the room dark or the music louder than they want, but complaints about the beer itself are rare. Choose it for the range and staff advice; choose somewhere else when access, a guaranteed table or an easy large-group round matters more.
The essentialsVisit
Getting there
under 0.1 miles from The Cross.
Hours
Currently listed as open daily from midday, closing at 23:00 Monday-Saturday and 22:00 Sunday.
Food & drink
Cheeseboards and smaller items are available throughout opening hours. Chicken and frites are served from midday every day.
Access
CAMRA records no step-free access and no accessible toilet. The bar is upstairs through Paysan.
9.3 OpenStreetMap - Hours
- Currently listed as open daily from midday, closing at 23:00 Monday-Saturday and 22:00 Sunday.
- Address
- 61 Bridge Street Row E, Chester CH1 1NW
- Booking
- No bookings. The venue also says it does not answer the phone.
- Pay
- cards, contactless
- Dogs
- Dogs are not listed as welcome.
- Access
- CAMRA records no step-free access and no accessible toilet. The bar is upstairs through Paysan.
- Getting there
- under 0.1 miles from The Cross.
Nearby plan
Nearby pubs and bars
Nearby food
Nearby attractions
FAQ
What is The Cavern of the Curious Gnome best for?
Belgian beer, German lager, British craft beer, changing cask and staff recommendations.
Where is The Cavern of the Curious Gnome?
Enter Paysan at 61 Bridge Street Row East and continue upstairs.
Can you book The Cavern of the Curious Gnome?
No. The venue says it does not take bookings or answer the phone.
Is The Cavern of the Curious Gnome dog-friendly?
No, it is not dog-friendly.
Does The Cavern of the Curious Gnome serve food?
Yes. Cheeseboards and smaller items are available, with chicken and frites served from midday every day.
