A great way to spend an evening with your friends or other half is to sample some weird and wonderful drink mixes in one of Norwich’s many cocktail bars.
Trouble is, there’s so many to choose from and if you’re only here for a few days well, it can be difficult to narrow down the choice. So, we’ve done it for you. Well, someone has to…
Here are 7 Impressive Cocktail Bars in Norwich, in no particular order:
Gonzo’s Tea Room
Yes, it’s possible to get a cup of earl grey here as the name suggests but really, this London Street establishment wows with its cocktails. To the extent the Times newspaper has voted it one of the best cocktail bars in the UK. Now there’s an accolade!
Mr Postles’ Apothecary
Gonzo’s Tea Room in their ground floor bar and restaurant area
This Victorian Upper King Street bar specialises in what it terms ‘theatrical’ cocktails. Yes, that means lots of smoke coming from your drink Heston Blumenthal-style, and bizarre colours, not to mention mixes. One of our favourites is the before bedtime Chocolate & Vanilla Russian – a mix of vodka and chocolate with marshmallows on top.
Hawthorn
Sitting at the start of St Benedicts Street, this smart cocktail bar evokes the past with its crystal chandelier, discreetly coloured walls and general air of elegance and sophistication. Here you’ll find
drinks such as: ‘You’re not in Kansai any more’, made with gin, Japanese plum wine, violette, lemon and tonic.
Frank’s Bar
With a laid back, rather Bohemian vibe, Frank’s Bar in Bedford Street is lovely, relaxed spot in which to sample an Elderflower Collins made with gin, lemon juice, elderflower liqueur and sugar syrup. Another favourite is the Apple Crumble & Custard – Zubrowka vodka mixed with Galliano and apple juice.
Aroma Cocktail Bar
Another Upper King Street venue, Aroma transforms from a cosy café during the day to an even cosier cocktail bar during the evening. Favourite here is the espresso martini but many a night has also been spent sampling specials, such as the cherry and thyme gin sour – gin, maraschino liqueur, cherry jam, lemon juice, simple syrup and a little thyme.
Revolucion de Cuba
If you can’t get to Havana, then let the Revolucion de Cuba in Norwich’s Queen Street bring a little (or a lot of) Latino to you. The Tombland bar specialises in rum-based cocktails, such as the Daiquiri, Mojito and Cuba Libre. Shut your eyes and sip your drink slowly to the sound of the Cuban beat. You could almost hear Havana calling…
Arboretum
Don’t know about you, but we haven’t found many cocktail bars in an antique shop. Arboretum in St Benedicts Street is one though. And as if that isn’t weird enough, it styles itself as a Victorian doctor’s surgery. Yes, the Arboretum Pharmaceutical Cocktail Services will have you feeling better in no time, especially with a couple of whisky sour down your throat.
Of course, the best way to find out about all of the cocktail bars is to visit them for yourself – although not all at once!
Need a place to stay whilst you’re in the area? Why not stay with us here in the centre of Norwich! You can book your room here: https://www.number82theunthank.co.uk/book-now/
Fancy finding out some interesting and surprising facts about Norwich? Read about them here.