Popular Pubs In Chester – The Golden Eagle

As already mentioned on our Chester Memories page, the Golden Eagle has always been one of the most popular pubs in Chester. However, back in the late 70’s and early to mid 80’s, it was arguably the most popular pub in Chester. If you are not familiar with the Golden Eagle, you will find it in Castle Street. It is probably only a few hundred yards from the Crown Court. Furthermore, it is also only about 100 yards or so from Bridge Street.

Popular Pubs In Chester – Golden Eagle

Golden Eagle In The 70’s – One Of The Most Popular Pubs In Chester

Back in the late 1970’s when men wore “Lionel Blairs” and most of the young ladies sported perms (so did a lot of the lads as well come to that!!). The pub was a thriving meeting place under the stewardship of Mike and Anne Sims. As far as pub landlords and landladies go, they were up there with the best.

Many pub locals will confirm that one of the reasons that they find a pub so popular is because of who runs it. This was very much the case when Mike and Anne ran the Golden Eagle. Mike was a very affable, approachable man who had a very, very dry sense of humour. Anne, his wife, always seemed to be effervescent and bubbly. The two together were a great team.

As well as attracting predominantly young customers, the bar staff also seemed to be young. For many regulars the Eagle was a starting point before heading off into town. Invariably the evening would end up in one of the local nightclubs (more on these elsewhere).

If anyone has any particular memories of the Golden Eagle during the late 1970’s and early 1980’s to share, then get in touch. We would love to hear from you.

Golden Eagle – In The 80’s – Best Pub In Chester?

As already mentioned Mike and Anne Sims were a popular couple and were a very hard act to follow. But followed they were in no small measure. Step forward John and Mary Morgan. John and Mary, who hailed from Liverpool, had already managed pubs in the Chester area before arriving at the Eagle. Namely, they were in charge of the Raven in Farndon and the Woodlands in Ellesmere Port.

Upon arriving in the Golden Eagle, John endeared himself to the locals in the “Boys Pen” on his very first Saturday in charge when he offered to buy them a drink. What a start!! In them days and in the same way as the “Mike and Anne Sims” days, the Eagle was mainly very popular with younger clientele.

A typical Friday and Saturday night would entail meeting up in the Eagle and eventually moving on to some of the other popular pubs in Chester.

Another key feature of those days in the Golden Eagle was the number of local football teams that frequented the pub. Many a Sunday post match pint was quaffed debating the earlier proceedings.

Here’s a real blast from the past…..the Golden Eagle picking up their awards for a successful 1987/88 season. Note the high ratio of moustaches in the squad.

Golden Eagle football team – 1987/88

The Golden Eagle weren’t the only successful team that frequently drank in the pub. The very successful Lache team also drank there on a regular basis. As did Chester Gas, Brew XI and Transport. A few words on the local Sunday League football scene is another topic well worth looking at in this Chester Memories section.

There was such a close knit camaraderie between the regulars in those days. Immediately to the right when you walked in was the aforementioned “Boys Pen”. Over by the payphone (no mobiles in those days!!) was The Office, while the slightly older generation drank in “The Cage”.

Many a raucous night was had by all.

Billy May

Finally, a mention of the Golden Eagle in the 80’s wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Billy May. The legendary singer/songwriter Billy used to play his incredibly popular brand of music in many pubs. Not only in Chester but also Liverpool, The Wirral and North Wales. Anyone lucky enough to see him play will remember his particularly brilliant rendition of the Jimi Hendrix classic “Purple Haze”. Not only sang superbly (or as Billy would say….”Superrrrrreb!!), but the playing the guitar around the back routine was…well, Superrrrreb!!!.

Nowadays the Golden Eagle is probably just as well known for it’s food as it is for anything else. It still remains however one of the most popular pubs in Chester.

In 2014 there was a Golden Eagle reunion where the classes of the 70’s and 80’s descended on Castle Street. It is envisaged that more reunions will follow – so, keep an eye out HERE if it may be of interest.

See what others think of the modern day Golden Eagle – Click HERE

Things To Do In Chester

Yes indeed there are many cracking pubs in Chester. The Golden Eagle being one of them.  However there are plenty of other things to do in Chester. For some ideas, have a look HERE.

Chester Lifestyle

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