You’ll never be short of something to do in Chester, but we will always welcome something new.

Chester has seen some wonderful additions over the last 12 months, from bars to trampoline parks to steakhouses. We thought we’d take a look at some of our favourite new spots.

Storyhouse

In May 2017, Chester saw the opening of the brand new, multi purpose Storyhouse theatre.

Storyhouse serves as a theatre, library, cinema and arts centre and is located in place of the Odeon cinema, which had closed in June 2007. The building has an 800-seat auditorium, a 200-seat studio theatre, two bars, a restaurant and a 100-seat boutique cinema. The building of the cultural centre cost £37m and is apparently the biggest of it’s kind outside of London.

There was a turnout of 10,000 people over the opening weekend, giving Chester a new breath of life. The theatre has seen performances over the summer such as Alice In Wonderland and A Midsummer Night’s Dream and will play host to comedians such as Jon Richardson, Stewart Lee and Sarah Millican over the next few months.

For information on ticket prices and what’s on, click here.

The Alchemist

The Alchemist has finally landed and brought their luxury cocktail bar to the streets of Chester.

Located on St John Street, the bar/restaurant brings some intrigue and class to the Chester nightlife scene. Taking the place of Gin Rickey’s and Luke’s Eating House, this marks the 10th location for the popular brand.

The opening of The Alchemist has given Chester’s late night outings a well-needed shot in the arm and has received glowing reviews so far. Prized on their fantastic cocktails, they also offer a variety of food from different parts of the world, rather than your average pub menu.

With a great choice of drinks and food to choose from and well-praised customer service, this place is a must if visiting the Chester area.

You can find more information on the menu and reservations here.

All Bar One

All Bar One is a stylish new bar/restaurant located on Newgate Street, not far from the Roman Amphitheatre.

Opening in March 2017, the menu features something for everyone and they have a very good range of cocktails and wines available. Don’t worry, there’s plenty of beer as well.

They have received very positive reviews so far, with people appreciating the redesign and praising the atmosphere and service provided. All Bar One can be a fantastic place for breakfast meetings or a night out with friends; they really have something for everybody. If you’re more into the latter, they have a resident DJ on Fridays and Saturdays to get the party started.

If you’re after more information, click here to go to their website.

Flip Out Chester

Now let’s look at something fun for the whole family.

Flip Out Chester is a brand new trampoline park on Chester Gates Business Park. The park includes a total wipeout area, ninja warrior, adult & kids stunt box zones, dodgeball, soft play and a under 7’s area for the little ones. If that wasn’t enough, there’s also a great American Diner and a Café if you don’t fancy a bounce yourself.

For more information on each activity, check their website. In order to save time when you arrive, it is advised that fill out and sign your liability waiver online in advance.

Opera Grill

Launching in August of last year, the Opera Grill is a must for fans of steak.

The 400-seater restaurant offers a wide variety of dishes, including vegetarian and gluten free options. It has a very Greek façade and is a fantastic place to eat, whether it is for work or just dinner with a friend.

If you’re a fan of music, they have a Music Lounge that features live sets every Friday night, and even a gospel choir on Sundays. The bar also offers a range of different spirits, cocktails and beers from around the globe.

Opera Grill is a great addition to the Chester restaurant scene, and perfect if you’re looking for a high quality, delicious meal.

Chester Bus Exchange

So technically this isn’t a place you HAVE to go to, but it’s still a great new addition to Chester.

The brand new £13m bus exchange opened this summer after being in development for a while and has 13 stands in total. The buses run from 6am until 11:30pm and there are friendly members staff available to help at all times. It also has a customer services office if you need any help and there are screens next to each stand with updating timetables and due times for buses.

If you’re staying in Chester, this is the best way to get to places like Chester Zoo and Greyhound Park and you can transfer here for the likes of Crewe, Holywell, Warrington, Connah’s Quay and Mold.

Summary

These are just a few of the many great new additions that we’ve seen recently in Chester. Let us know your new favourite places and maybe try out one or two of these spots if you haven’t already.

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The Chester Races 2017 are almost upon us; therefore dress code preparations ought to be done. Dress code is a building block in confidence levels and consequently, self-esteem.

However, all this greatly depends on the enclosures you are looking to participate in. This guide will cover the dress code all the way from Dee Stand and Open Course to Tattersalls then finally, County Concourse.

Let's start with the Dee Stand and Open Course dress code...

There is no strict dress code in this area, though it is preferred to dress in line with the elements. There are only a few rules to note when it comes to the Dee Stand and Open Course; no promotional or branded outfit will be permitted on the course.

If you had been planning on such clothing, it’s bad news I’m afraid. You will be denied entry to the course if you do not follow this dress code, so plan ahead to avoid disappointment.

For ladies, nice/pretty dresses are preferable. Maybe a floral print dress with a chain clutch and nude pumps for example. It’s your opportunity to dress up and look good so make the most of it. For men, a good example would be coloured chino bottoms with a patterned shirt and nice boots. Making yourself look nice without having to be suit and tie is the look you’re going for.

When it comes to the Tattersalls Enclosure, the dress code is slightly tighter than the Dee and Open course so take that into account. These are some of the dos and don'ts.

The male dress code is described as smart casual clothing. For example, you could go with a pair of smart, slim fitting dark jeans with a buttoned up shirt and a nice pair of shoes, maybe even a blazer. Sportswear and shorts are definitely not acceptable; especially not trainers so please leave them at home. Try to look smart but comfortable and dress for the elements, there is nothing wrong with bringing a coat.

For ladies, again use this as an excuse to break out some of your nicer summer dresses or even a jeans and blazer combination. When it comes to your shoes, plan ahead for a long day and make sure you will be comfortable and able to still walk by the end of the day. For the smart casual look, boots, loafers and oxfords are your best bet. Also, make sure you consider the colour of your footwear. To be on the safe side, go for neutral colours such as brown, black or cream as they will go with most outfits.

You can’t forget about accessories either. A pair of sunglasses on a sunny day is essential and a handbag can really help you complete an outfit. It’s also advised to consider the practicality and length of your dress. The elements might get the best of you so you don’t want a dress that is too short. The Race Course also has the right to deny access to anyone who is showing too much or not dressed appropriately, so take that into consideration.

Dress wise, good options include teal and sequin dresses, texture and linen dresses or a shirt with smart jeans. Figure hugging dresses of a good length with a lovely pair of heels never goes amiss.

Now the County Concourse is the strictest of all the enclosures when it comes to dress code.

Gentlemen are required to wear a suit with a collar and tie, and smart shoes to match. This is non-negotiable and you won’t be allowed in unless you meet these requirements, so pre plan your outfit and make sure you look as smart as you can. Use this as an opportunity to look your best and potentially impress others.

A medium tie of a good length is your best option; a tiepin is also something to consider. Play around with the colours, for example a black jacket with a white shirt would go well with a red tie, or a black tie will complement a maroon suit jacket with a white shirt nicely. It should also be noted that denim is not permitted. Footwear wise, a pair of smart black or brown shoes will go nicely, depending on the colour of shirt/jacket. Make sure you look sharp, bring out the inner James Bond.

For ladies, fancy dresses are preferable. The dress code is similar to the Tattersalls Enclosure, although make sure your dress is an appropriate length and you should accompanied it with some beautiful earrings or a hat depending on the weather.

So there you have it, a guide to how to dress correctly for the Chester Races 2017. Make sure you are dressed accordingly to the enclosure you are attending and feel confident about how you look.

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Latest Additions To Chester That You Have To Visit