The Racecourse Prices Index: how much for a burger and a pint at Chester?

In The Racecourse Prices Index (RPI) we report from Britain and Ireland's racetracks on the cost of going racing.

Racecourse report: entry, food and pint prices from Chester

Chester

Date visited: Saturday, May 28, 2022

Was it a big day?

Not particularly on the track, with ITV covering just one of the seven races, a class 2 handicap over seven and a half furlongs. However, it was 'Roman Day' on the Roodee with a stack of activities going on and the track described it as "one of the most popular fixtures for families." The meeting was abandoned after four races.

How much was entry on the gate?

Four choices available: County £60, Tattersalls £50, Dee £20 and Open £15. Concessions were available for early bookers.

Other than restaurants/hospitality, what were the food and beverage options?

A wide selection, especially over in the centre of the course. The track's own food kiosks offered up gourmet burgers, pies with homemade mushy peas or Korean sticky rice bowls. All three options looked good.

There were plenty more options too, with the traditional fish and chip stand, burger and hot dog van and even a stall offering a plant-based burrito.

As with the variety of food on offer in the centre of the track, anyone wishing for more than just a pint of lager was in luck, with a 'Beer Box' serving up craft ales, a cocktail hut and a Pimm's van. All these stalls set the perimeter to a lawn seating area in the infield, where a DJ set the ambiance between races.

What's the damage?

Bottle of water: £3
Cheapest pint: £6, Becks
Guinness: £6.50
Champagne: Laurent-Perrier Brut NV £90, Laurent-Perrier Cuvee Rose £110
Burger: Two options: the gourmet version offered by the course at £9.50 or your bog-standard version from the burger van at £6.50.

All drink prices taken from the main racecourse bar, or where there are multiple bars, one chosen at random.

What was the burger like?

Pretending to be posh for the day I went for the gourmet brisket cheese burger at £9.50. It was pricey but a similar price to the pie and peas at £9 and fish and chips at £11. Anyway, credit where credit is due, it was a good burger with Monterey Jack cheese, onions, beef tomato and lettuce on a beer sourdough bun.

And the queues?

Not the busiest fixture the course has ever hosted and before the first it appeared to be plain sailing getting food and drink, with the bars around the course seemingly well stocked with staff.

What did the punters say?

"This seating area ['The Lawn' in the centre of the track] is a great addition. You can see the horses in the paddock and you don't have to go across to the main stand when you need a drink. There's a good selection of food and drink and it's a nice place to spend the afternoon, as long as it stays dry!"
Graham Hayden, Warrington

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