Rent your own private 1890s pub  — Chester, West Virginia

No overnight stay needed. Hot meal · Charcuterie board · Craft ale and proper tea included · BYOB completely optional · 4-hour private evening rental · From $100 · 1 hour from Pittsburgh

 What Is Included In Your Rental

The historic pub room — entirely yours The genuine 1890s carved mahogany bar fully set up with glassware, ice bucket, bottle opener, cocktail napkins, and all the bar tools you need. The cast iron pot belly stove ready to light — kindling and matches on the hearth. The brick fireplace if the evening calls for it. Flameless candles flickering from every surface. Exposed timber ceiling beams overhead. The real 1890s atmosphere that no modern venue can replicate.

The screened porch bar — your outdoor room Step outside from the pub onto the screened porch bar — a full outdoor bar setup with bar stools and string lights overlooking the West Virginia hills. Open air drinking under the stars. The screened porch means no bugs and no weather — just the sounds of the forest and the feeling of the hills around you.

The complete drinks bar — included for everyone Hot drip coffee with cream and sugar. Selection of teas — black, green, herbal — with proper tea cups and a kettle. Bottled still water. Standard soft drinks — cola, lemon-lime, ginger ale, root beer. All set up at the bar for self-serve throughout your evening.

This is critical — every guest in your group has something they actually want to drink. The designated driver. The pregnant guest. The friend in recovery. The kid along for the celebration. The guest who simply prefers tea. Everyone is genuinely included.

Your hearty hot meal in the chafing dish A complete dinner waiting in a proper chafing dish on the bar — kept at perfect temperature for self-serve dining at your own pace. Choose your meal when you book from our rotating menu — lasagna, chicken parmesan, pot roast, roasted chicken with vegetables, baked ziti, stuffed shells, or shepherd's pie. Sourced from our trusted local providers and beautifully arranged for the pub setting.

Side dishes accompany every meal — fresh baked bread or rolls, a salad or pasta salad, and roasted vegetables.

The cheese and charcuterie welcome board A locally sourced cheese and charcuterie plate professionally arranged on a wooden serving board waiting at the carved bar when you arrive. Fresh bread and crackers alongside.

Your private pub sound system and big screen TV A large flat screen TV and a full stereo sound system are set up and ready for your evening. Four speakers fill the indoor pub with sound — two more carry it out to the screened porch bar so the music follows you inside and out.

Cast straight from your phone via Chromecast — open your app, tap the cast icon, and select Hillcrest Pub TV. Works with Netflix, ESPN, Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and most major apps. You are in full control of the screen for the entire rental.

Watch your team on a big screen in your own private pub. Stream your playlist through six speakers indoors and out. Put a film on by the fireplace. The setup is there and ready the moment you walk in.

Brian's homemade pub snacks under WV cottage food law On the bar — a board of Brian's homemade pretzels, spiced nuts, or seasonal baked goods. Made fresh in the Hillcrest kitchen using WV cottage food law. The personal touch that turns this from a venue rental into a genuine hosting experience.

Dessert A selection of cookies, brownies, or seasonal pastries to finish the meal properly.

BYOB welcome — completely optional Want to bring beer, wine, or spirits? Welcome. The bar is fully equipped with glassware and ice. We recommend stopping at Squids Brewery in Weirton for local craft beer on your way — just minutes from Hillcrest. Tell them you are heading to Hillcrest, they know us.

Don't want to bring alcohol? Equally welcome. The complete drinks bar plus the hot meal plus the cheese board plus the snacks plus dessert is a genuinely complete evening without alcohol of any kind.

A welcome card from Brian and Charlene Everything you need to know about the space — how to light the stove, how to use the bar, how to cast from your phone to the TV, what is in the chafing dish — all in a handwritten welcome card waiting on the bar when you arrive.

Brian available by text Brian and Charlene are not on site during your rental. The pub is completely private and entirely yours. Brian is always reachable by text if you have any questions.

 Two Spaces — One Extraordinary Evening

Inside — The 1890s Historic Pub The original manor pub room. Carved mahogany bar. Cast iron pot belly stove. Brick fireplace. Timber beams. Candles. Pint glasses and tea cups. 130 years of West Virginia history in one room.

A large flat screen TV ready for your evening — cast straight from your phone via Chromecast and you are in full control of the screen. Your game. Your film. Your playlist through the speakers. Four indoor speakers deliver sound that fills the pub properly — full enough to feel it, balanced enough to still hold a conversation across the bar. Stream ESPN for the big match, put a film on by the fireplace, or let your Spotify playlist run all evening while the pot belly stove does its thing.

Outside — The Screened Porch Bar Full outdoor bar on the screened porch. Bar stools. String lights. Open air. The West Virginia forest all around you. Stars overhead.

Two outdoor speakers are wired into the same system — so whatever is playing inside follows you out to the porch without any fiddling. Step outside mid-game and you won't miss a moment. Move the whole evening outside as the night deepens and the sound comes with you. The screened porch means no bugs and no weather — just the forest, the hills, and the music.

Perfect For

Couples looking for an extraordinary evening within an hour of Pittsburgh — no overnight stay required. Groups of friends wanting a completely unique private evening where drinkers and non-drinkers are equally welcome. Birthday celebrations that deserve a better backdrop than a crowded restaurant or bar.

Sports fans who want to watch the big game in their own private pub — large screen TV, four indoor speakers, two outdoor speakers on the screened porch bar, and nobody else in the room. No sports bar noise. No strangers. No waiting. Just your group, your game, and a proper chafing dish of hot food waiting on the bar. Cast straight from your phone via Chromecast so you are in control of the screen all evening.

Music lovers who want genuine sound indoors and out — cast your Spotify, Apple Music, or any playlist from your phone directly to the TV and out through all six speakers. The music follows you from the carved mahogany bar to the screened porch overlooking the West Virginia hills.

Bachelor and bachelorette pre-parties with mixed drinking preferences. Family celebrations including children, elderly relatives, and guests in recovery — everyone included, no compromise. Corporate team evenings where inclusivity actually matters. Church group dinners and gatherings. Anyone who has ever wanted their own private pub for a night.

Movie nights by firelight — cast from your phone, pick your film, and watch it in a room that has been gathering people for over 130 years.

Hillcrest Retreat · Chester, West Virginia · HillcrestRetreat.com Hosted by Brian and Charlene Mahaffey 1 hour from Pittsburgh · 30 minutes from Pittsburgh Airport · 15 minutes from Mountaineer Casino

Let us know if you see any ghosts - They are friendly we promise!