Author Topic: Pubs in Norwich (Read 2791 times)

CAMRAMan · « **on:** 22 September, 2009, 02:26:53 pm »

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

Wowbagger · « **Reply #1 on:** 22 September, 2009, 02:29:29 pm »

I seem to remember a pub in Norwich named the Wig & Pistle but I've never been into it.

Jules · « **Reply #2 on:** 22 September, 2009, 02:44:13 pm »

I used to enjoy the Ferryboat inn (about 1980 when I had a bunch of mates at UEA) but Wikipedia says it shut in 1996.

tiermat · « **Reply #3 on:** 22 September, 2009, 02:52:58 pm »

Does this help?

Norwich pub guide - information about pubs and bars in Norwich # beerintheevening.com

Nice to see the Compleat Angler is still there (and no that is not a typo...)

Regulator · « **Reply #4 on:** 22 September, 2009, 03:43:30 pm »

I keep saying I'll take Mr R to The Reindeer...

...I have fond memories of their Christmas Beer!

CAMRAMan · « **Reply #5 on:** 22 September, 2009, 03:52:18 pm »

Quote from: Regulator on 22 September, 2009, 03:43:30 pm

I keep saying I'll take Mr R to The Reindeer...

...I have fond memories of their Christmas Beer!

I used to love the Reindeer too, but the last time I was there it had turned into something of a disco pub, or at least an over-commercialised version of its former self. In the late 80's it was a mecca. Their Red Nose was fantastic, though potent stuff.

Not far from the superb Fat Cat though.

giropaul · « **Reply #6 on:** 22 September, 2009, 03:53:40 pm »

I enjoyed many good evenings in the Belgian Monk (Pottergate) whilsy working for a time in Norwich.

An excellent range of Belgian beers (and the food was good as well).

CAMRAMan · « **Reply #7 on:** 22 September, 2009, 04:28:02 pm »

Quote from: tiermat on 22 September, 2009, 02:52:58 pm

Does this help?

Norwich pub guide - information about pubs and bars in Norwich # beerintheevening.com

Nice to see the Compleat Angler is still there (and no that is not a typo...)

Useful link, thanks. The Kings Arms looks like a winner.

Bledlow · « **Reply #8 on:** 23 September, 2009, 12:02:46 pm »

I remember the Reindeer & Ferryboat from 9 months working in Norwich, 1990-91. Bad news, there.

RichForrest · « **Reply #9 on:** 23 September, 2009, 12:06:29 pm »

PM Bottlemasher he lives there and likes a beer

nicknack · « **Reply #10 on:** 23 September, 2009, 12:21:47 pm »

If you like cider, the latest issue of Beer ( the CAMRA mag) recommends 6 pubs in Norwich that also sell real cider. They are:

The Fat Cat
King's Head
Trafford Arms
Take 5
Cider Shed
King's Arms

CAMRAMan · « **Reply #11 on:** 24 September, 2009, 10:06:32 pm »

Thanks All for the tips.

I'm off to Bruges in December, so Belgian tastes catered for for the foreseeable future

I'm hoping the Kings Arms, being a Bateman's pub, has Salem Porter on draught. Nectar!

Looking forward to renewing beery acquaintanceships.

Marco Stefano · « **Reply #12 on:** 29 September, 2009, 10:12:42 pm »

I went to UEA too and lived in Naarge for some years. Beer festival glasses still in the cupboard. (sigh.) Some colleagues still live there, and the recommendations are:

Fat Cat (obviously)
Reindeer - now an Elgoods pub, not sure how good (used to prop the bar up each weekend in the late 90's)
Stan Drews - giggly young women (not) serving behind the bar, beer now poor
Alexandra Tavern - good local (between Dereham Rd & Earlham Rd)
Cinema City - some good beers and food too (not to mention cinema screens)

I used to like the Ribs of Beef, the Adam & Eve, the Rosary Tavern and the Tap & Spile, but no idea what they are like now.

Bruges; now there's a beer place to savour. Several nice weekends there, we used to go on the overnight ferry from Felixstowe and then local train. We even had instructions from N&N CAMRA... Hope you find some good places & beer.

CAMRAMan · « **Reply #13 on:** 03 October, 2009, 08:10:36 am »

Quote from: Marco Stefano on 29 September, 2009, 10:12:42 pm

I went to UEA too and lived in Naarge for some years. Beer festival glasses still in the cupboard. (sigh.) Some colleagues still live there, and the recommendations are:

Fat Cat (obviously)
Reindeer - now an Elgoods pub, not sure how good (used to prop the bar up each weekend in the late 90's)
Stan Drews - giggly young women (not) serving behind the bar, beer now poor
Alexandra Tavern - good local (between Dereham Rd & Earlham Rd)
Cinema City - some good beers and food too (not to mention cinema screens)

I used to like the Ribs of Beef, the Adam & Eve, the Rosary Tavern and the Tap & Spile, but no idea what they are like now.

Bruges; now there's a beer place to savour. Several nice weekends there, we used to go on the overnight ferry from Felixstowe and then local train. We even had instructions from N&N CAMRA... Hope you find some good places & beer.

I spent a year in Mary Chapman Court, so the St Andrews Tavern was a regular haunt, as were the £1.10 matinee films at Cinema City (Saw AI no Corrida - In the Realm of the Senses there

). You've mentioned a few names I recognise and some I didn't visit. Next year, we'll coincide our visit with the beer festival in late October.

The Kings Arms sounds great, though it's off the beaten track. Any pub that lets you bring in take aways and provides the plates and cutlery AND serves Batemans has to be good.

Next weekend here we come!

Regulator · « **Reply #14 on:** 03 October, 2009, 10:59:35 am »

Perhaps we should organise an YACF UEA Grads reunion...

Marco Stefano · « **Reply #15 on:** 03 October, 2009, 03:10:15 pm »

That sounds like another excuse for a ride and beer.

microphonie · « **Reply #16 on:** 03 October, 2009, 04:15:11 pm »

Quote from: A Warwickshire Lad on 22 September, 2009, 02:26:53 pm

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 [

]
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.

CAMRAMan · « **Reply #17 on:** 05 October, 2009, 04:57:50 pm »

Quote from: microphonie on 03 October, 2009, 04:15:11 pm

Don't forget there'll be the Beer festival at St Andrew's Hall 26-31 Oct if you're around then!

Yep, I realise we're timing it badly, and the Naaaarch festival is one of the better ones, but that's a half term and I'll be forced to ride on a broken bottle as a saddle if I were to go away then.

Thanks everyone for the tips.

What happened to the tiny Vine near Tesco? It was a great place 20 years ago, but had been yuppified a decade ago. I remember a night imbibing some Russian Imperial stout there and a humungous hangover the day after.

Seeing the Proclaimers at UEA on the 12th. Anyone know if the Grads' Bar is still going strong?

I'm always up for a Norwich/UEA reunion.

CAMRAMan · « **Reply #18 on:** 14 October, 2009, 10:06:37 pm »

The Proclaimers gig was excellent. The Joyful Kilmarnock Blues sent shivers down my spine. I'd give most of the audience 30 years, but I was dancing (in my own inimitable style) with the best of them. The Grads bar after was more or less intact from my memories.

The Fat Cat was good, though Monday was not the best night to sample its atmosphere. The Kings Arms was EXCELLENT and 5 mins from the Travelodge. Superb Batemans XXXB in pitchers and very helpful & friendly staff who recommended a takeaway, gave us a menu and sorted us out with plates and cutlery once it turned up. Best Indian I've had in a long time.

The Rowntrees factory is now a shopping arcade, but Norwich seemed more or less intact. All in all an excellent couple of days...

PeteB99 · « **Reply #19 on:** 14 October, 2009, 10:35:23 pm »

Quote from: Regulator on 03 October, 2009, 10:59:35 am

Perhaps we should organise an YACF UEA Grads reunion...

Went to UEA and lived in Norwich for 20 years so I'd be up for that