The Cross Keys Chester: Joule's taphouse on Duke Street

The Cross Keys

Duke Street ·CH1 1RP ·0.3 miles from The Cross

Closed · opens today at 1pm Duke Street 0.3 miles from The Cross

Best for you need a handsome small pub close to Lower Bridge Street and the river and Joule's real ale

Good to know Pub on Duke Street and dog-friendly

Avoid if You need lots of space for a big loose group.

Joule's

Duke Street

Real ale

Historic pub

Sunday lunch

Is it your kind of place?

Go here if

You want a handsome small pub close to Lower Bridge Street and the river.
Joule's real ale, pork pies and a front terrace sound right.
You want Thursday quiz, Irish trad sessions or Sunday lunch.

Avoid if

You need lots of space for a big loose group.
You want cocktails, late-night bar energy or a broad daily restaurant menu.
You need simple step-free access.

Book for Sunday lunch and groups. Food outside the Sunday/beer-snack rhythm should be checked direct before you rely on it.

In a paragraph

The Cross Keys is a small Joule's taphouse on Duke Street with stained glass, oak floors, a real fire, brewery beers, pork pies, regular music and a slim front terrace.

What it's like

The single Victorian room is full of stained glass, dark wood, leather seating and a grand fireplace. Joule's restored it neatly without erasing the shape of a small corner pub.

Joule's beer, Victorian room and Sunday roast

Jane and Dave's welcome, well-kept beer, Thursday quiz, Irish sessions and Sunday roast give it a strong regular rhythm. The room and front terrace are both small, so it pays to plan food and event visits.

Worth knowing

The beer, hosts and Sunday roast are strong; the constraints are physical. It is small, not step-free and closed for the first two days of the week. A large loose group will be happier elsewhere.

The essentialsVisit

Getting there

0.3 miles from The Cross. Use city-centre parking such as Grosvenor multi-storey rather than expecting a pub car park.

Hours

Official hours are Wednesday-Thursday 16:00-23:00, Friday-Saturday 13:00-23:00 and Sunday 13:00-21:00; closed Monday-Tuesday.

Food & drink

Joule's Pale Ale, Slumbering Monk, Pure Blonde, Green Monkey and seasonal beers are the core reason to go. Start with a Joule's pint; add a pork pie or book the Sunday roast.

Access

Wheelchair-accessible entrance is not listed. Check direct if access matters.

8.8 OpenStreetMap

Hours: Official hours are Wednesday-Thursday 16:00-23:00, Friday-Saturday 13:00-23:00 and Sunday 13:00-21:00; closed Monday-Tuesday.
Address: 2 Duke St, Chester CH1 1RP
Booking: Booking or reservations are listed.
Pay: cards, contactless
Dogs: Dogs are listed as welcome.
Access: Wheelchair-accessible entrance is not listed. Check direct if access matters.
Getting there: 0.3 miles from The Cross. Use city-centre parking such as Grosvenor multi-storey rather than expecting a pub car park.

Nearby plan

Nearby pubs and bars

Nearby food

Nearby attractions

FAQ

Is The Cross Keys a Joule's pub?

Yes. It is a Joule's taphouse with the brewery's core beers and seasonal ale.

Does The Cross Keys do Sunday lunch?

Yes, Sunday lunch is part of the offer and booking is sensible.

Is The Cross Keys dog-friendly?

Yes, dogs are listed as welcome.

Does The Cross Keys have outdoor seating?

Yes, but it is a slim raised front terrace rather than a full beer garden.

Is The Cross Keys accessible?

A wheelchair-accessible entrance is not listed, so check direct before relying on it.

Google Places photos

The Cross Keys