A UNIQUE CHESTER VENUE
FOR WEDDINGS
OUR VENUE
Our venue space for hire consists of three areas. Our ground floor, first floor and our lower ground floor Makers Space, also known as the Crypt.
Our 13th century Crypt is one of only a few remaining of its age and condition and is thought to have been constructed around 1230. Originally used for storage of merchant goods as an undercroft to a property, today it houses our creative Makers Space where we run art and craft workshops.
Having lots of area to utilise we work with our couples to agree which spaces are required and how they wish to utilise them, for example we could use the first floor for after drinks or pre-drinks or for dining and use the crypt space as a dance floor or for a ceremony.
During events we can make the venue feel special with dimmed lights, fairy lights and candles.
The venue includes old printing equipment and furniture across the ground and crypt which adds to the unique charm of the venue.
Our First Floor area features artwork, tables, soft seating, the toilets and our coffee and cocktail bar.
Our Alfresco area on the ground floor is available until 8pm.
Our city centre location is convenient for guests needing a hotel, makes it easy to get a taxi ride home and for those guests wanting to party till they drop, it provides opportunity for them to continue partying in other venues after the reception or evening party is over.
CHANGE OVERS
Ceremonies to Dinner Receptions
We can accommodate 60 people plus the wedding couple and celebrant in our Crypt.
When the ceremony is for 34 people or less we can do a changeover of the crypt preparing it for dining while guests move up to the first floor for drinks (and canapés), if you would like seated dining after the ceremony.
Dinner Receptions to Evening Parties
We can move guests up to the first floor for drinks whilst we do a changeover of the crypt, turning it in to a dance floor. Further evening guests can arrive during or after the changeover if you would like to increase the size of the party.
During evening parties all three areas are used and food if you opt for a buffet is served on the first floor.
Late Ceremonies & Evening Parties
If you are opting or a late ceremony going into an evening party we can do a changeover of the Crypt. To do a changeover we will need to move furniture from the Crypt to our second floor so all guests need to move to the first floor during the changeover. We can accommodate 60 guests on the first floor and open the door to the row level to provide more space for guests to gather but it will feel crowded for the time we are moving between floors, once all furniture is moved guests can spill out on to the ground floor whilst we clean the crypt.
WEDDING CEREMONIES
We are currently only able to accommodate unofficial ceremonies as we are not yet licensed. If our application is successful we expect to have our license in place by the end of March 2024
We can accommodate up to 60 guests in the crypt for a ceremony.
As well as the seating for the ceremony there is space for a keyboard, violin or cello player etc. at the front.
Our ceremonies are really intimate and are made special by the beauty of the crypt, antique furniture and low candle lighting.
WEDDING RECEPTIONS
We love hosting wedding receptions at The Arthouse.
Within the crypt we can host 34 people on a long trestle table, when this option is taken guests can gather on the first floor for welcome drinks and across the crypt, ground and first floor for after dinner drinks.
If you have more than 34 guests attending a reception we cater with a buffet using the ground and first floor for drinks and food; and the crypt can be used as a dance floor.
We have a low venue hire cost for receptions compared to other venues offering food and drink of the quality we provide.
Whether it’s a three course set menu you want us to design with you, a buffet or canapes, we have the experience, patience, enthusiasm and know how to work with you to make your day special.
We can offer fizz or cocktail pre-drinks receptions with or without canapes.
As well as food and drink we are also able to provide and organise:
Entertainment / Live Music
Photographers / Videographers
Bespoke Printed Menus, Digital or Letterpress
Full Styling using our Stylist Partners
Table and Venue Flowers
Table Place Setting Cards, Digital or Letterpress
Letterpress Wedding Posters
Photograph © Sarah Brookes Photography
Gourmet food that achieves the highest standards expected for the special occasion
DINING OPTIONS
Unlike venues that sorely focus on weddings we are more flexible and can offer a variety of options including:
Set Menus
For bookings of 12 to 16 two options for starters and mains may be selected and shared with guests. For bookings over 16 three options for starters and mains may be selected and shared with guests.
Guest selections are required ahead of the reception or alternatively, hosts can select a set menu with a vegan alternative and confirm numbers for both menus.
Evening Buffets
Our evening buffet menu provides an excellent alternative for larger weddings and later weddings when the focus is more on the partying and less on the food.
Canapes
If you are wanting a ceremony at The Arthouse we can offer welcome canapes with the welcome drinks or serve canapes after the ceremony.
Small Plates
For less than 28 guests we can offer a wide culinary range of small plates that come down progressively over a couple of hours.
A copy of our Canapes & Evening Buffet Menus can be provided upon request and bespoke menus can be developed with our couples.
SET MENU EXAMPLES
Bespoke menus can be developed with our couples.
TWO COURSES £28.00 // THREE COURSES £33.00
ALCOHOL PACKAGES
Alcohol packages are optional and your attendees will be able to order and pay, or order to a tab throughout the event if you want this facility.
Our packages offer at least a 10% discount on our prices when ordered at the time of booking.
We have a trained sommeliers in our organisation so we can offer a wine flight with your selected menu.
FIZZ
Prosecco on arrival £5.60 per person
Bucks Fizz on arrival £5.60 per person
Fizz with Food
4 Bottles of Moet & Chandon N.V. Imperial Brut, £150.00
4 Bottles of our House Prosecco, £90.00
WINES
4 Bottles for £82 or 8 for £155
Mix and match from:
Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, White Rioja, Pinot Noir, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Rioja, White Zinfandel Rose.
Our sommelier will pick the wine according to your choice of grape and food.
LAGER & CIDER
Buckets of 8 x Birra Moretti Lager Bottles, 330ml, £34.00
Buckets of 8 x Madri Lager Bottles, 330ml, £34.00
Buckets of 8 x Henry Westons Vintage Reserve Cider Bottles, 500ml, £35.00
“I would just like to shout from the Chester roof tops in my loudest bellowing voice “Arthouse is AMAZING!!”
Very recently we were incredibly lucky that the Arthouse Cafe allowed us to have our Wedding reception in their wonderful, historic and creative establishment. After 16 years together it was a long awaited celebration and with the Arthouse and their wonderful staff, dedication and talents, they completely surpassed all expectations. It was absolutely perfect!!
Amazing staff, amazing food, amazing vibe, amazing drinks, amazing service, amazing location, amazing beautiful, atmospheric historic building oozing character… ahhh amazing EVERYTHING!
The team were an absolute dream to work with and they made ordinarily stressful wedding decisions feel soo easy and a delight to meet up and sort through. They bent over backwards to make sure our day was special and they did not disappoint. Dining in the gorgeous candle lit 13 century crypt ensured it was an evening we and our guests will never forget. All our guest gushed over the experience and delicious food and described it as a magical night in a mini Hogwarts dining room.
Ahhh I could Go on all day! But if you ever fancy a delicious, coffee, lunch, meal,
Cocktails out or a private place for a cosy party or like us... a WEDDING!! Then look no further. Arthouse is perfect! If only we could do it all over again!
Thank you Arthouse and all the amazing peeps behind the scenes!! Xxx”
HOW TO BOOK
STEP 1
LETS TALK
The information we provide on this page is hopefully a helpful guide. We recommend prior to booking that we meet at the venue for a consultation, however we recognise that this isn’t always practicable if the event is for people visiting Chester, so we are also able to hold telephone or virtual consultations over Teams or Zoom.
You can book a consultation using the form below.
STEP 2
AGREE YOUR BOOKING
After we have understood your requirements we will provide you with an initial quotation.
We will update the quote to reflect any last changes or decisions you make and provide you with a final quote requesting your agreement.
STEP 3
MAKE A DEPOSIT
The structure of deposit needed is dependent on how advance the booking is.
No booking is complete until a deposit has been made.
Any quotation we provide will include the deposit amounts and once we have agreed the booking with you invoices for deposits will be provided.
ORGANISE A CONSULTATION
Please complete this form with your details and will we be in touch to finalise our consultation appointment.