
Bear & Billet
A 1664 English inn with Tudor charm, offering real ales, homemade food, and a warm, dog-friendly atmosphere.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Bear & Billet

Highlights
Must-see attractions
A 1664 English inn with Tudor charm, offering real ales, homemade food, and a warm, dog-friendly atmosphere.
"A historic gem offering a cozy retreat with delicious food and a genuinely welcoming vibe for all."
Book Ahead for Peak Times
To guarantee a spot, especially during busy periods or events, it's recommended to book your table in advance.
Explore the Ale Selection
Discover a wide range of real ales, craft beers, and ciders, with knowledgeable staff to guide your choice.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
Gastropub
Price
Mid-range
Phone
+44 1244 311886
Address
94 Lower Bridge St, Chester, CH1 1RU, United Kingdom
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Historic Timber-Framed Architecture
Step back in time in a 1664 building with original Tudor charm, offering a cozy and character-filled atmosphere.

Hearty Homemade Pub Fare
Indulge in classic favorites like steak and ale pie and Sunday roasts, prepared with a comforting homemade touch.

Dog-Friendly Oasis
Your furry friends are welcome too, with a warm reception, water bowls, and even homemade dog treats.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Book Ahead for Peak Times
To guarantee a spot, especially during busy periods or events, it's recommended to book your table in advance.
Explore the Ale Selection
Discover a wide range of real ales, craft beers, and ciders, with knowledgeable staff to guide your choice.
Bring Your Pooch Along
This pub warmly welcomes dogs, providing water bowls and sometimes even homemade treats for your canine companions.
Off-Peak Visits Recommended
Consider visiting during less busy hours to avoid crowds and ensure a more relaxed dining or drinking experience.
Tips
from all over the internet
Book Ahead for Peak Times
To guarantee a spot, especially during busy periods or events, it's recommended to book your table in advance.
Explore the Ale Selection
Discover a wide range of real ales, craft beers, and ciders, with knowledgeable staff to guide your choice.
Bring Your Pooch Along
This pub warmly welcomes dogs, providing water bowls and sometimes even homemade treats for your canine companions.
Off-Peak Visits Recommended
Consider visiting during less busy hours to avoid crowds and ensure a more relaxed dining or drinking experience.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Bear & Billet is celebrated for its historic ambiance and friendly atmosphere, with many visitors praising the traditional pub fare and welcoming staff. It's a highly dog-friendly establishment, making it a top choice for pet owners. However, some recent reviews mention a decline in service quality and inconsistent kitchen hours, leading to disappointment for some long-time patrons.
"A Perfect Start to Our Chester Experience
This was the first pub we visited in Chester, and it set the tone for a fantastic trip. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, and we absolutely loved how it looked—charming, cozy, and full of character. The barman was incredibly friendly, making us feel welcome from the start. The overall experience was great, and we couldn’t have asked for a better place to begin our time in Chester. Highly recommend!"
Whitney M
"What a lovely, historic pub that’s as interesting inside as on the outside.
The Bear and Billet has a great selection of craft beers on offer and bar staff that clearly know their beers.
The two barmen on during this afternoons visit were super friendly and helpful and brought my wife’s tea to our table on the first floor, to save us waiting.
Food was dropped off to tables adjacent to us and looked great, so we’ll be ordering a meal on our next visit."
Christopher Lewis
"Hark! Attend, ye merry folk, for I shall regale thee with the most outlandish of tales from mine visit to the Bear & Billet Pub in yon Chester! 'Twas an evening rife with absurdity and mirth!
Upon mine entry, I beheld a sight most peculiar—a bear, clad in a doublet and hose, didst greet me at the door! 'Twas no mere mortal, but a bear, I say! Verily, I was so taken aback that I nearly tripped o'er mine own feet.
Within the pub, the decor was a hodgepodge of the fantastical and the nonsensical. Methinks I spotted a talking parrot reciting lines from Shakespeare, whilst a chicken played the lute with its beak. Such sights didst boggle mine mind and tickle mine fancy.
I didst order a tankard of ale, only to be served by a jester who insisted on juggling mine drink before handing it to me. 'Twas a miracle that not a drop was spilled, and I drank heartily, with much bemusement.
The patrons were a jolly lot, engaging in the most nonsensical of games. I didst partake in a contest of who could balance the most spoons upon their nose, and verily, I was bested by a chap who claimed to be a wizard.
As the night wore on, the revelry grew ever more absurd. A sheep, dressed in knight's armor, didst challenge me to a duel of wits. I graciously declined, for how could I best such a valiant creature?
In conclusion, the Bear & Billet is a place of whimsy and wonder, where the ordinary becomes extraordinary, and where one might encounter the most peculiar of sights. I shall return anon, for 'tis a most delightful abode of absurdity and mirth."
Iceman
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the Bear & Billet is very dog-friendly and provides water bowls and sometimes homemade treats for your pets.
The pub is housed in a historic timber-framed building dating back to 1664, originally serving as the town residence for the Earls of Shrewsbury.
It's advisable to book ahead, especially during peak times or for events, to ensure you secure a table.
Popular choices include the homemade steak and ale pie and Sunday roasts, known for their hearty flavors and generous portions.
Yes, the pub has multiple TVs where sports games are shown, making it a good spot for fans.
They offer a wide range of real ales, craft beers, and ciders, including European and local options.
Yes, the menu includes vegetarian and vegan options, such as the vegan slice of vegetarian nut roast.
Mentioned in
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The Bear and Billet, a historic public house on Lower Bridge Street in Chester, is a quintessential example of 17th-century timber-framed architecture. Recognized as a Grade I listed building, it holds the distinction of being one of the finest and last remaining timber-framed townhouses in England, celebrated for its exceptional craftsmanship and historical significance. Constructed in 1664, the building originally served as the town residence for the Earls of Shrewsbury, who oversaw the nearby Bridgegate.
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First opened in 1664, this legendary stop not only has “an exquisite range” of real ale and assorted food offerings but there is no charge to interact with the pub’s ghosts if you run into a few of them while you imbibe. The building may look innocuous given an austere Tudor façade, but you are guaranteed a rousing good time once you step over the threshold. Location: 94 Lower Bridge Street, Chester, CH1 1RU
All The Best Dog Friendly Pubs & Bars in Chester
Spread out over three floors, The Bear and Billet offers plenty of warm welcoming space for you and your four-legged friend to relax and enjoy the fine choice of ales and traditional pub food. Located just inside the historical Chester Walls, the building itself is also an emblem of history, dating back to 1664. It’s the perfect distance from both the meadows and the racecourse; two prime dog walking spots.
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Nestled within the city walls in a charming 17th-century building, Bear & Billet is a well-loved pub renowned for its welcoming atmosphere and hearty food. With a generous 20% student discount on food and drinks, it’s a fantastic spot for a casual meal or a pint with friends. The menu features a mix of traditional British dishes and modern pub favourites.📍 94 Lower Bridge St, Chester, CH1 1RU
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If you are on Lower Bridge Street, then the Bear & Billet will stand out from a mile off due to the fact that its inside a traditional Tudor style building. This pub building dates back to 1664 and now serves delicious food and an exquisite range of alcohol for you to try out. It’s rumoured that there are still ghosts linked to the buildings past so keep an eye out during your visit!
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They say: "When booking just let us know you have a dog with you and we will reserve you a table in the best place. We have fresh water bowls available behind the bar that are offered to all tables with dogs and treats behind the bar too."Shell and Jess (our GM’s wife & daughter) also sometimes get baking and making homemade dog treats to raise money for local charities.
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My second visit yesterday took me across the road to Bear and Billet, an impressive Grade I listed timber-framed structure from the 17th century, established in 1664. This was originally the home of the Earls of Shrewsbury. The interior exudes a cosy atmosphere, featuring exposed wooden beams, wooden flooring, and tables.
Dog Friendly Pubs in Chester
Spread over three floors, The Bear and Billet at 94 Lower Bridge St, Chester, CH1 1RU offers a warm space for you and your pooch to relax. The pub is well-known for its selection of ales and traditional pub food. Plus, the building itself is an emblem of Chester's history, dating back to 1664.
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Bear & Billet, Lower Bridge Street - https://www.markettowntaverns.co.uk/ This is a great old-fashioned pub right on the banks of the River Dee. It’s a little way out from the city centre but is totally worth it if you fancy a great selection of real ales in an authentic atmosphere.
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Of what use your visit will be when you have not planned a trip to its historical spots?. The city has at your disposal the finest and most well-preserved historical architecture. The history of this place survived natural calamities and man-made destruction impressively.
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The Bear & Billet is the perfect spot to enjoy a traditional English pub experience with your dog. This dog-friendly pub offers an extensive drinks menu and a cosy atmosphere. Your furry friend is welcome to join you both inside and out in their delightful courtyard.
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A magnificent timber-framed building which was originally the townhouse of the Earls of Shrewsbury, the Bear & Billet was built in 1664, probably replacing a building destroyed in the Civil War. It became an inn in the 18th century.
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A beautiful Tudor building located at 94 Lower Bridge Street. Built in 1661 it is now used as a public house. John Lennon's grandmother was born in the Bear & Billet in 1873.
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A classic half-timbered red brick building not far from Grosvenor Park, The Bear and Billet is one of the oldest pubs in the city. They offer real ale and home-cooked food.
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Bear & Billet – Take Duke Street down to Lower bridge street and turn left. Here is the Bear and Billet. If your interested they usually have Sky Sports.
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