Chester’s new Ampitheatre bar is a modern day concept

Dec 31 2009 Chester Chronicle

Chester’s new Ampitheatre bar is a modern day concept

A CHESTER bar has reopened in a new guise following a £250,000 refurbishment.

The Amphitheatre Bar at the former Yates’s premises in Frodsham Street is the brainchild of business owners Darren Lamble and Matt Armstrong.

The venue, which employs about 30 full and part-time staff, promises to be “the place to come for great music, live sports and a menu to suit every taste.”

Venue consultant Kenny Baker, who ran Joe’s Wine Bar in St Werburgh Street for 12 years, said: “People have been in, come back and think it’s brilliant.”

The idea is to build the bistro side of the business during the day with the premises open from 9.30am selling breakfasts and brunches.

Traditional pub food is being served alongside several Italian dishes.

In the evening there will be entertainment with DJs, tribute bands and ‘audience with’ events featuring sporting legends including England 1966 World Cup winner Nobby Stiles.

Kenny says Frodsham Street is “one of the best streets” because of the amount of passing trade.

And he believes Chester city centre is about to turn the corner.

“I think it’s been so bad and rough over the last couple of years that people have been getting better deals on the rent so when they take places on they can afford to put more money into things.

“I think when we get Christmas and New Year out of the way and it settles down, I think Chester is going to build and build and potentially we could have a great summer with tourism.”

The Chester Yates’s closed early last year as part of a national closure programme by parent organisation the Laurel Pub Company.