A PUB in Chester city centre is celebrating after reaching the final of the Great British Pub Awards for the second year in a row.

The Saddle Inn on Grosvenor Street has successfully traversed both the first and second stages of the Best Pub for Entertainment Award and have now been named as a finalist for the award, which it managed to win in 2022. The team are now hoping to repeat the feat at the awards ceremony in Manchester on September 19.

The Saddle was recognised for its unique rock and roll aesthetics, which feature guitar-neck beer pumps, band posters and nine rock-themed rooms over its two floors. The pub hosts a wide range of live music, not limited to rock, with jazz, acoustic sessions and open mic nights regularly taking place.

Joining The Saddle in the final are five other top pubs from around the country, including: Chaplin's & The Cellar Bar in Bournemouth, The Phoenix Arts Club in Soho, London, The Kings Arms in Bexleyheath, London, The Anchor Inn in Wingham, Kent and The Hightown Pub & Kitchen in Liverpool.

The Saddle Inn said via Facebook: "Last year we won the UK’s Best Pub for Entertainment Award in the Great British Pub Awards (which are like the Oscars for British Pubs) We were blown away, totally floored, it was something we never expected, unforgettable, an achievement we can’t even describe just how much it meant to us. The competition was outstanding, literally the best of the best. It was a dream come true for us.

"This year we entered it again and not only did we get through the first stage of the process but we also got through the second stage and are utterly lost for words as we’ve made it through to the FINAL along with 5 other exceptionally tough competitors.

"To have gotten this far and to be in the Top 6 of UK Pubs for Entertainment is mind blowing and regardless of winning last year we never expected to get where we are again. We have everything crossed for the Award ceremony on the 19th September, the nerves have already set in but will do our upmost to bring it back to Chester once more. For now though we’ll keep doing what we do best whilst hoping for the best."