Inside Chester Races' most exclusive club - which costs £599 to get in

The horse racing season comes to an end at Chester Races this weekend, with its Oktoberfest celebration seeing out the summer for one last social occasion. The world's oldest racecourse is famous for its hospitality, with a range of options for those heading along for a day of betting and banter.

While many may think of private boxes as the most expensive way to enjoy the races, there's now one hospitality space at Chester that trumps even them for exclusivity - and price.

Sitting at the heart of the course, right next to the finishing post, is PARADE, which is now the most exclusive way to spend a day out at the races.

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It boasts two outdoor terraces - one on the ground floor and one on the rooftop - both offering unrivalled views up close to the action as the racehorses thunder past. Inside PARADE is a luxurious restaurant space where guests take their seats for a feast before the racing gets underway.

It's the newest events space at the historic Cheshire racecourse, and has already been proving popular, particularly with smaller groups or couples - as you can book from tables of two upwards in here. But you'll need to have a big budget for your day out here - as prices for entry in the club are from £599 plus VAT per person.

What do you get for that sort of money? Well, from the moment you arrive you are treated like a VIP.

You have the option of a parking space right next to the entrance to the ground, and then the races' concierge team walk you across to the PARADE entrance. Door staff invite you in, where you can enjoy your own private bar space for a champagne reception.

Then you're guided to your table with your guests, where you're invited to dine a four course menu as leisurely as you like in the light and airy restaurant space complete with plush peppermint seating. It's a full fine dining menu, with a range of locally-sourced dishes created by the in-house chef team.

A 'menu of amenities' is available for customer enjoyment which may change depending on the fixture and date you choose to attend. You could be treated to a hair and make-up professional available to help top up your style on the day, while the racecourse tipster could also visit while you're having your lunch to give their advice on the horses' form.

There's no queuing at the bar, as it's all table service, and staff here will bring your drinks out to you if you're enjoying the sunshine on the roof terrace. But you'll also need to budget for your drinks on top - as the £599 entry only includes the champagne reception on arrival and then a cocktail at the end of your meal.

For the serious punters though, there's also the benefit of your own personal table betting service provided. This means you're not having to constantly worry about finding the nearest bookie on the site to place your bets between races.

Once the last race is over, you're able to continue the party inside the venue, and at this point you get your evening cocktail which is served with a further selection of food.

There is a strict dress code to get inside - for ladies that's a dress, skirt or smart trouser suit, for gentlemen it's a well-tailored suit or blazer, a collared shirt, smart trousers and tie. You are warned to avoid revealing clothing, jeans, trainers, shorts, fancy dress, or sportswear - all of these are not permitted in the club.

It has space for up to 70 guests, and can also be booked out privately for events outside of the racing calendar.

PARADE has been in action across all 15 fixtures this year at Chester Races, and will be open again for the 2025 season. That will kick off with the biggest event of the year at the course, the Boodles May Festival.

There are also Friday Socials in the summer, Midsummer meetings in July, family fun days in August and the Powells Ladies Day event, while in September there's the Autumn Racing Food and Drink Festival and the Oktoberfest finale.

How does PARADE compare to the other hospitality areas at Chester?

PARADE is the most premium package you can get at Chester, costing from £599 plus VAT. The cheapest hospitality package is for access to the Edinburgh Gin Garden from £140 per person.

Access to the Final Furlong restaurant for hospitality is from £300 per person, while private boxes (which seat 26-30 guests) are from £550 per person.

However, if you just want to watch the racing, tickets to just head in and watch start at £17 for access to the Roodee, where there's no formal dress code. The price then increases if you want to head to Tattersalls for trackside viewing from £43, up to £120 per person to be in the Winning Post Enclosure.

What do you get for your £599 at PARADE?

Here's the full list of what you get for the price paid at PARADE.

• Admission Badge
• Concierge service
• Complimentary parking
• Personal Racecourse meet & greet hostess
• Laurent-Perrier Rosé Champagne reception
• PARADE signature canapés on arrival
• Personalised race cards
• 4 course fine dining menu- celebrating local suppliers, and changes each race day.
• Cash bar – extensive wine and cocktail menu, charged on consumption
• Table betting service throughout the afternoon
• PARADE’s signature cocktail, served with a selection of artisanal British cheese & charcuterie, traditional fruit chutneys and jellies
• Menu of available amenities & services will also be offered, designed for guest comfort & enjoyment may include services such as: a make-up artist, sommelier, DJ, tipster