My Life - Isabel Marston, General Manager at Oddfellows Chester
We chat with Isabel Marston, General Manager/Queen of Hearts at Oddfellows Chester
How would you describe yourself?
Grafter. A little chaotic. A dreamer. Passionate. Slightly irritating. I care deeply about what I do and about creating experiences that people genuinely remember, not just visit.
Where is home? And work?
Home is Chester. Work is Chester. Oddfellows feels like an extension of me - a place where creativity, personality and people collide.
Since returning to Oddfellows Chester you’ve introduced a series of fun, themed events. What future planned events can guests look forward to?
Quirky, eccentric and unusual experiences are absolutely at the heart of what we’re doing moving forwards.
One of my favourite upcoming event series is Cabinet of Curiosities, particularly our Psychic Night with Maria Roma from 7pm on 26th March. Guests are welcomed by cloaked wardens and taken into a candlelit VIP bar, where they’re presented with a cocktail served in a blood bag (of course) and a meet-and-greet with Maria. From there, they’re led into a dark, atmospheric cabaret room and served an Evening Tea - not an Afternoon Tea.
The psychic show begins with messages from the other side and conversations with the Spirits of Oddfellows. The evening finishes back in the VIP bar with further encounters with Maria and a nightcap of Cheshire Whisky, distilled locally by Weetwood in Kelsall.
I’m also incredibly excited for our Wonderland Saturdays, launching on Easter Saturday and then running on the last Saturday of every month. Hosted by the Mad Hatter and Alice themselves, guests can enjoy our Wonderland Afternoon Tea with an optional bottomless drinks upgrade - where Alice and the Hatter serve unlimited cocktails from magic teapots for 90 minutes. DJ John S Locke will be spinning party classics from 4pm, with plenty of fun, frolics and interaction from the Wonderland crew.
Ultimately, we want guests of all ages to experience Oddfellows as an immersive party house - somewhere to escape into and properly let go.
What other changes have you made to Oddfellows Chester since your return?
We’ve completely refocused on the guest experience, making sure it feels fabulous from the moment someone walks through the door. The building has been refreshed and brought back to its former glory, restoring the original spirit: fun, unusual, surprising and pure escapism. One of the biggest changes was removing the old restaurant and replacing it with Alice’s Parlour — a topsy-turvy space filled with upside-down lampshades, floating teapots, too many looking glasses and unexpected details around every corner.
Are there any other exciting developments we should be looking out for?
Very much so. The Secret Garden has had a mischievous little glow-up ready for spring - now more playful, more unexpected and very much in keeping with the rest of the house. It’s becoming a space for late-night plotting, spontaneous parties and moments that probably shouldn’t be shared on social media.
Beyond that, there are plenty of surprises waiting in the wings. Think pop-up performances, secret happenings, playful takeovers and events that don’t always announce themselves loudly. Oddfellows is leaning harder into curiosity, mischief and a little controlled chaos - the kind of place where something interesting is always just about to happen.
For a happy couple looking to host their wedding reception, what experiences do Oddfellows Chester offer?
We offer weddings that are anything but ordinary. From intimate candlelit dinners to full-house celebrations, every wedding here is bespoke, immersive and full of personality. There are no set templates or forced traditions; just beautifully eccentric spaces, tailored experiences and celebrations that truly reflect the couple.
For someone visiting looking to celebrate a milestone birthday with friends, what would you suggest?
Go big or go home. Private spaces, themed cocktails, DJs, immersive entertainment and surprises throughout the night. Whether it’s a decadent dinner that evolves into dancing or a full venue takeover, we love creating birthdays people talk about for years.
What would you suggest for a couple looking to plan a romantic evening to celebrate their anniversary?
Start with cocktails in the Lounge Bar, followed by a candlelit dinner filled with atmosphere and indulgence. Add an overnight stay in one of our character-filled rooms and wake up feeling like you’ve stepped out of a fairytale - slightly dishevelled, but very happy.
Name a few of your favourite places to be…
Anywhere by the sea, city breaks full of culture and energy, long walks to clear my head and places with exceptional food, music and atmosphere.
What or who inspires you and why?
People who are brave enough to be different — those who create experiences rather than follow trends. Alex Proud is a huge inspiration; his fearless approach to immersive entertainment, cabaret, and storytelling shows how powerful atmosphere and escapism can be when done properly. I’m inspired by people who take risks, back their vision and understand that hospitality is about emotion as much as execution.
What was the last gift you gave someone?
An experience — because memories always last longer than things.
Tell us a secret/fun fact about the venue?
Oddfellows is full of hidden stories and unexpected corners. If you think you’ve seen it all on your first visit, you definitely haven’t.
Who or what would you place in room 101?
Boring events, bland décor, and soulless playlists.
What’s your favourite album that sits near the record player in the Lounge Bar?
Harvest by Neil Young, Chicago: The Musical (Original Broadway Cast Recording), Moulin Rouge! The Musical (Original Broadway Cast Recording) and the Hôtel Costes DJ compilations - sublime, very quirky, and incredibly cool. Perfect for late nights, low lighting and cocktails that linger longer than planned.
What podcasts have you been listening to lately?
Physics, gravity, black holes and causal determinism. Deep, theoretical, occasionally mind-bending - usually listened to while planning parties or building immersive events. Completely fascinating. I kid you not.
Your mastermind subject?
Oddfellows. It’s my spiritual home and I understand it from the inside out - its rhythm, its personality and how to bring it to life in a way that feels authentic, playful and unforgettable.
What’s been your biggest life lesson?
Trust your instincts, embrace the chaos and never underestimate the power of atmosphere.
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