I went to UEA, so I had a very good knowledge of the town's pubs up to 1993. However, my last visit 10 years ago had seen a few of the old standards disappear or become former shadows of themselves; e.g. The Vine. I'm visiting the place next month and I'd like to sink a few Adnams and other East Anglian brews.
I know of the Fat Cat and am looking forward to trying it without smoke, and The St. Andrew's Tavern, but are there any other decent real ale pubs worth visiting?
FWIW, I looked at the Norwich & Norfolk CAMRA site, and their list of pubs is just that - a list of all the pubs in Norwich with no qualitative info, as far as I could see...
TIA
Don't forget there'll be the Beer festival at St Andrew's Hall 26-31 Oct if you're around then!
Fat Cat -
King's Head (on Magdalen St) -
used to be a real dive but it's improved massively. Also has bar billiards (I somehow managed to reign supreme with a score of 2000+ last time I went there)
Trafford Arms - ok for real ale , but personally never got on with the atmosphere there
Cider Shed - run by the Fat Cat lot but a bit out of the way & you may have to listen to live jazz [
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King's Arms (city end of Hall Rd)
you can order a takeaway to eat-in too! The Freemasons opposite is supposed to be ok too.
Take 5 -
St Andrews Tavern is now the Rumsey Wells -
for the beers (also has a large range of spirits) & food but they lose points bacause they insist on having a big PA system, often making it too noisy if you're near the speakers. Celebrating a year under the new landlords this month so there'll be special events on. Also host acoustic nights.
Wig & Pistle is now the Mustard Lounge & is aimed more at a yoof audience
The Reindeer - haven't been for years
As someone who isn't a real ale drinker I don't tend to enthuse so much about the first 5 in the list as others might. Out of the above I prefer Take 5 (formerly The Louis Marchesi) & the King's Head.
My fave places at the moment probably have a bit of a wine bar/trendy/art school image but I like them because they all have a laidback, nonthreatening feel (i.e. they don't attract the lager lout pissheads)
The Playhouse bar - very laid back but not very big if you don't want to sit outside. Almost impossible to get served during the interval when a show is on.
Frank's Bar - more like a wine bar/continental bar, maybe a bit 'scenester', but also serves great food.
Bedfords - next door to Frank's Bar (on Bedford St) & with a similar feel. The Crypt bar is great when it's open & not hosting a salsa night!
The Workshop - (Earlham Rd) - used to be Trad's Pizza. Quite small upstairs but there's a cellar too. Decent pizza too.
I haven't been to the Golden Triangle pubs for a while eg The Alexandra, Belle Vue, Garden House so can't really comment.
Just avoid Prince of Wales Road & Riverside & you can't go too wrong.