Barlounge: 25 Years of Chester’s Favourite Meeting Place
In the spring of 2000, Chester’s social scene changed forever. Just off Watergate Street, a new bar appeared, offering something the city had never quite seen before – effortlessly stylish yet approachable, subtly sophisticated, yet buzzing with energy. That bar was Barlounge.
Over the past 25 years, Barlounge has become more than just a place to grab a drink. It’s been the backdrop to countless first dates, birthday toasts, business deals, and reunions. For many, it’s an integral part of the city’s identity and a place where they’ve marked milestones, celebrated successes and made lifelong friends.
A Vision That Stood Out
When founder Neil McDonnell opened Barlounge, his ambition was clear: to create a bar Chester hadn’t yet seen. Following a successful trajectory in the hospitality industry, the Kent-born entrepreneur was running a bar training company in Sweden with clients across Europe, when he decided to return to the UK and fulfil his dream of opening his very first bar. Armed with a set of fairly exacting criteria (outside space was a must, along with a strong community feel and ideally a racecourse!) he set off on a nationwide search to find the perfect location for his vision. After a painful year of searching the whole country for the right location, the right city and the right community Neil said that Chester ‘just felt right from the very beginning’.
Its food & drink scene, let alone its alfresco drinking or dining options were limited and when the opportunity on Watergate Street presented itself, he knew he had found the place for his new venture.
“I wanted something that felt different to the pubs and clubs at the time,” Neil reflects. “It had to be somewhere people would feel excited to visit but also comfortable enough to return to again and again. The focus was always on quality, atmosphere, and that feeling of being part of something.”
That formula struck a chord. Within a year of opening, Barlounge had become one of Chester’s busiest and most talked-about bars. With his sights firmly set on the goal and his remarkable ability to nurture and create community, people were drawn to the balance Neil had developed - a place and an ethos that felt special but never exclusive. A place where everyone was welcome.
Growing with the City
When Neil met his future business partner, Ibizan-born Jason Bligh, he was working at the Michelin-starred Arkle restaurant at The Chester Grosvenor. Spotting his obvious experience, passion and undeniable charm, Neil set about persuading him to join the team. These days, it’s hard to imagine a Barlounge without Jason – they go hand in hand, and it’s this enduring passion, combined with Neil’s vision, that has kept Barlounge at the very top of its game for over a quarter of a century.
“The secret has been knowing what to change and what to leave alone,” Jason says. “Cocktails go in and out of fashion, interiors need refreshing, but the heart of Barlounge has always stayed the same. People know what to expect when they walk in - friendly, considered and personal service - and that’s why they keep coming back.”
Over the years the food menus, drinks lists and interiors have evolved to accommodate the guests' needs. A never-ending journey of research, creativity and innovation has meant Barlounge has always been a step ahead of the game and in-hand retained an incredibly passionate and dedicated team.
Food wise, the famous Barlounge ‘Bites & Boards’ (sticky sausages anyone?) to the legendary Sunday Roasts, seasonal mid-week deals and globally inspired favourites, have helped form habits people don’t even realise are intertwined into their weekly routines.
And although the team are constantly experimenting with new dishes and dreaming up new cocktail combinations, you can still find some of the original favourites on the menu. The iconic Sticky Beef Salad has made a comeback and the classic Barlounge Burger, Steak Frites and Beer Battered Haddock & Chips sit proudly alongside an exciting array of decadent sides – the Bloody Mary Fries are to die for!
Neil said it’s this familiarity that has created a lasting connection for guests “Consistency is everything. You have to keep innovating, yes, but you can’t move so fast that people don’t recognise the place they fell in love with. That balance has been at the heart of everything we’ve done.”
A Place for People
What defines Barlounge more than anything is its connection with people. Generations of guests have marked life’s milestones here, from 21st birthdays to wedding anniversaries. Some regulars have been returning for decades, while new ones discover it every week.
Neil often reflects on the joy of seeing familiar faces return year after year. “For me, the biggest achievement isn’t in sales figures or awards,” he says. “It’s in the moments people have chosen to share here. When someone tells you they met their partner here or that they’ve marked every birthday with us for 25 years and in a few cases, even celebrated their wedding day here, that really means something.”
The team have also played a major part in the story. Many young people have had their first step into the industry and cut their teeth in hospitality at Barlounge, with many going on to make their marks across the industry, not only in the UK, but around the world. Jason points out: “We’ve had team members start here as glass collectors and end up running their own bars and restaurants years later. From three superb bar and restaurants here in our home city, to New Zealand’s number one hot-spot and even a global hospitality PR supremo working with some of the most celebrated brands in the world – we’ve helped nurture some real talent over the years and that’s something we’re really proud of. Being part of people’s journeys, not just guests but team too.”
Barlounge and the Races
In Chester, there are few traditions bigger than the races, and over time Barlounge has become woven into that experience. Situated just a short stroll from the Roodee, the bar has become a natural stop for racegoers - so much so that for many, a day at the races isn’t complete without a visit to Barlounge.
Neil explains: “We’ve got our weekly regulars who come in after work, and our weekend regulars, who come for cocktails and a great night out, but we’ve also got what I call our once-a-year regulars – the race goers and gambling crowd, who we only see during the race season, but they’ve been doing it for 25 years, so it’s like seeing old friends. They’re as much a part of the Barlounge family as anyone else.”
Staying Relevant
Surviving and thriving for a quarter of a century in hospitality is no small feat. When they arrived on Watergate Street, 11 antiques shops were running along the cobbles, and now it’s a melé of chic restaurants, forward-thinking cocktail and wine bars, speakeasies and boutiques - reflective of the high standards and personality Barlounge has been instrumental in developing over its tenure. Added to that, their sister restaurant, Upstairs at the Grill, is also a firm favourite with locals and visitors alike, having gained Michelin recognition for countless years.
For Jason, listening to guests as well as colleagues from the local hospitality scene has been just as important. “We never see other businesses as competition - it’s all adding to the healthy mix that a city should have, and we are very proud to have helped to in some way curate that story over the years. We are never going to be the next hip new thing. We don’t want that. But that said, we never want to stand still. Whether it’s new cocktails, tweaks to the menu, or bringing in DJs, we want to give people reasons to come back. But at the same time, there’s comfort in knowing some things never change. That combination of familiarity and freshness is what keeps us relevant.”
Exciting Times Ahead
As Barlounge marks its 25th anniversary, both Neil and Jason are proud to look back at what has been achieved, but their focus remains on the future.
Neil says: “It’s been a privilege to be part of Chester’s social life for this long, but we’re not done yet. The next chapter is about building on everything we’ve achieved and making sure Barlounge continues to feel fresh and exciting. That includes new improvements to the terrace and the flow of the building in the New Year. All will be revealed soon, and we are excited for the next chapter in our story!”
Jason adds: “I don’t want to give too much away, but our teams are working hard behind the scenes already, excited to reveal not just our new look restaurant and terrace but also the next chapter of our food and drink offerings”
An Institution in Chester
For the thousands who have crossed its threshold since 1999, Barlounge is more than bricks and mortar. And as it looks ahead to the next chapter, one thing is certain - the spirit that has defined Barlounge for 25 years will continue to thrive, ensuring its place at the very heart of Chester’s hospitality scene for many years to come.
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