An American themed bar located in the heart of Chesterfield, Derbyshire, the Gasoline has been run by Phil Deacon since 2016. It was rebranded from a rock music venue, named the County Music Bar in 2022, after demand for live music in the on-trade dropped post-Covid.
Noting country music’s rising popularity, the operator saw a gap in the market for a more diverse pub offering in the town. Overseen by Deacon, the venue subsequently underwent a complete transformation as part of a joint investment with Admiral Taverns.
Immersive experience
Judges praised the Gasoline’s innovation, community engagement, and commitment to delivering a memorable and immersive experience for its patrons.
Featuring American memorabilia throughout, the pub still has an established reputation locally for live music but offers a variety of regular entertainment and events, from line dancing to quiz nights plus DJs and live sport.
The venue also has a private karaoke booth, retro arcade games, shuffleboard, pool, a photobooth, a jukebox, a bookable ‘VIP’ area and holds an annual fundraiser for the local cancer hospice.
Boasting 13 lines, there is a good range of beer on offer including Jubel, Boddingtons, Blue Moon, Magners, Orchard Pig, Neck Oil, Cruzcampo, Alpacalypse, and Guinness.
Enduring appeal
While the pub is wet-led, a food menu is also available, including nachos, loaded fries, wings and other small plates, with the kitchen boasting a five-star food hygiene rating.
The Gasoline is also community-focused, sponsoring local sports teams and supporting the local school as well as holding an annual fundraiser for a nearby cancer hospice.
As the hospitality industry continues to evolve, despite the challenges faced by operators across the sector, the Gasoline stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of experiential venues.
