'A chance meeting led to me buying a bar in Chester - 10 years on we're still here'

Josh was working at The Chester Grosvenor, where a chance conversation with the leaseholder of a building on Watergate Street led to his acquisition of the premises

A popular Chester cocktail bar inspired by the speakeasy bars of 1920s America is preparing to celebrate its 10th birthday.

Prohibition will mark a decade in business by bringing back its ‘greatest hits’ from over the years, including the classic Milk and Honey, Rum and Raisin Old Fashioned and Rose Drop. The Watergate Street watering hole is owned by Josh Parmar, who started his career in hospitality at Liverpool’s Panoramic 34 restaurant.

He said: “I’d always been interested in cocktail-making, but my apprenticeship at the Panoramic is where my passion was ignited, you could say.

"They challenged me to come up with something new, so I created the L’Orange Bakewell, which was a blend of orange-flavoured Grey Goose vodka, Disaronno, lime juice and cranberry. When I looked around and saw people enjoying and talking about something I’d created, it felt like my calling.”

But it was a visit to a secret bar in London that gave Josh the inspiration to open his own.

The 32-year-old said: “I’d been asking around for cocktail bar recommendations, and someone told me about a bar in Chinatown called the Experimental Cocktail Club. I couldn’t for the life of me find it, then I spotted this blink and you’ll miss it doorway between two Chinese restaurants.

“Shabby though the entrance was, upstairs was this absolutely stunning Parisian-style bar, where a barman was serving up these incredible cocktails and people were having great conversations. I knew at that moment that I wanted a space like that to call my own.”

By now, Josh was working at The Chester Grosvenor, where a chance conversation with the leaseholder of a building on Watergate Street led to his acquisition of the premises.

“It was a listed building with all of its original features that I fell completely in love with,” said Liverpool-born Josh, who grew up in Childwall and who now lives in Chester. “The stars had aligned, and it was an opportunity I couldn’t refuse.”

After three months of renovations and a speakeasy-inspired makeover overseen by the award-winning Brereton Pinnington Design, Prohibition opened its doors in November 2014.

“Whether you’re 20 or 70, Prohibition has got that timeless appeal that speaks to everyone,” said Josh.“It’s a great mix of locals and tourists, people coming in for pre-dinner drinks, people bringing business clients, groups of friends, as well as people on their own.

“There are myths about Prohibition that have given us a good giggle over the years, like you must knock twice and have a secret password to get in. None of that is true – just bring yourself, be yourself and be ready to enjoy some good old-fashioned cocktails. If you come on the right night, you could even be treated to a live rag-time pianist.”

A six-strong team of staff led by general manager Mark Smith and assistant general manager Oliver Berry has meant the bar has gone from strength to strength, surviving the Covid-19 pandemic thanks to its bottled cocktail creations for people to enjoy at home. With Prohibition firmly established, Josh has now turned his attention to a new venture.

Parmar, a plush wine bar immediately next door to Prohibition, was named after his paternal grandmother and muse Lily Parmar, who moved to the UK from India in the 1960s and set up a successful catering business.

“After cocktails, wine is my next love,” said Josh. "Whether you’re spending £5.50 on a glass of white or £350 on a vintage bottle of champagne, we’ve curated a menu that everyone can enjoy.

“Our most popular wine at the moment is actually an orange wine, which became a best-seller purely through people’s intrigue, I think. “We also do a Wine Wednesday where you can have unlimited top-ups for an hour of premium red, white or orange wine, as well as a meat and cheese board for £20.”

Not one to rest on his laurels, Josh is already planning his next project; a five-bedroom boutique hotel directly above his bars, renovation of which will begin in 2025.

He said: “For me, Chester is the perfect place to grow a business. It’s steeped in history, with the oldest racecourse in the world, a gorgeous river, good transport links and most importantly, the people here are friendly.

“We’re truly grateful for the way they’ve welcomed us with open arms, and I’m excited to see what the future holds.”

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