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Detail Pages
Artichoke, Norwich
Norwich
NR3 4LW
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7 of 10) see review guidelines
Old Boots left this review about Artichoke
An interesting flint building with semi turrets at the entrances only one of which is used, the windows reveal it to be a former Crawshay’s pub. Internally a mix of retained old bits and ruthless modernising. Honey coloured panelling to the dado level with William Morris style wallpaper above. The counter, floorboards and chunky furniture reflect this being in lighter wood. Eight hand pumps on the counter plus two T-bars of craft kegs and a Paulaner ceramic jobby. All are displayed on a laser display screen above the counter courtesy of Untapped. Limited decor with some artwork for sale and plants and an old radio on the window ledges. Mix of tall and standard height tables and chairs/stools. Split into three distinct areas, tall seating in an alcove opposite the counter, a small seating area with leather sofas and to the left lower tables and chairs set out restaurant style, all the tables have an empty wine or beer bottle with a numbered wooden spoon in it. There’s a definite hint of yoghurt knitters about the place. There appears to be an attached bottle shop in a separate building next door.
On 21st April 2024
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3276 recommendations about 2982 pubs]
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about Artichoke
Very distinctive building with two flint-clad rounded wings. Modernised inside, but the atmosphere wasn't helped on my quick mid-afternoon visit by it being rather quiet in the bar and empty in the dining area. On the positive side, there were an interesting selection of five real ales - including Hoptronic from the owning Golden Triangle Brewery and Hapi from Mr Winters (£2.30, half) - and a pair of ciders from a row of eight handpumps.
On 13th May 2023
- rating: 7
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve of N21 left this review about Artichoke
My feelings on this one are much the same as the other PuG members on this crawl.
Firstly a wonderful looking flint clad exterior and secondly a very good range of ales, both cask and keg on offer internally.
However the stripped out modern interior is a bit too bland for my liking and I too do not appreciate being confronted by a board of dictatorial rules on entering any establishment, as all it does is makes me wonder if the management is pandering to a woke bandwagon or has had a problem previously with racism, sexism, homophobia and ableism, neither of which is going to induce me to return.
Which is a shame really because with the pubs focus on delivering a range of good ales, as those detailed below, this should be a pub you would want to return to.
On 29th April 2023
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2127 recommendations about 2002 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve C left this review about Artichoke
The Artichoke has parquet flooring throughout and the ten or so tables in the left-hand side of were all reserved for dining, even though the pub was completely empty and lunch had passed. The bar counter on the rear wall to the right of the entrance faces some high tables that run to the front windows. To the right of this bar area is a thin strip of seating where some couches can be found. No televisions in here, but there was some background music playing. To be honest most of our attention was taken up by discussing the very patronising ‘This is a Safe Space’ board that was sat on the end of the bar counter. Obviously the conversation ended up on Robinson’s Jam, much to the horror of the barmaid. The bar supports premium and craft keg and the seven hand pumps were drawing Golden Triangle Brewery’s Hoptronic, Nene Valley’s Release the Chimps, Mr Winter’s Hapi, North Riding Brewery’s Irish Cream Stout and Mill Hill Brew Co’s That’s Out Pal alongside two ciders. I went for the stout, which was excellent. I’d pop back in here for one if passing, but I wouldn’t stay for two.
On 29th April 2023
- rating: 7
[User has posted 5268 recommendations about 5236 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about Artichoke
As described, this flint clad building looks like staff should be wearing lederhosen, with live music coming from an oompah band.
A plain and bland pale interior with tables to the left-hand side either dedicated to dining or just plain reserved.
Confronted on entering by Woke instructions on a board, a bit like the rules of Fight Club was a bit sanctimonious.
Golden Triangle Hoptriptic served by a friendly barman was a decent droop.
Not bad, but the dedicated dining element and Woke instructions were a bit dictatorial, but the Hansel and Gretel architecture is of interest.
On 16th April 2023
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1995 recommendations about 1961 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about Artichoke
This was my second visit to this pub on our Friday Pubs Galore crawl. The so called warning sigh wasn't present on our Wednesday night visit, where that appeared from I don't know, maybe the PC police must have been around in our absence. The manager was very welcoming and is involved in brewing one of the local cask beers on handpump. This was the Golden Triangle Hoptriptic 4.2% which I thought was excellent and a good session ale. I also liked the North Riding Cream Stout 5.5% which was very smooth and easy drinking. Five cask ales on handpump, plus two ciders and 14 craft beers.
On 16th April 2023
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3382 recommendations about 3381 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about Artichoke
Very impressive exterior,the two curved flint covered wings are a local landmark.Inside its more open plan With two sections either side of the central bar.On entering there is a sign warning customers not to engage in Sexism,Homophobia,Raceism and Abelism,so naturally the crawlers conversation turned to the pub in Grays which CAMRA have banned from the GBG because of a display of "dolls".Sadly the marmalade brand badges we all used to collect as children were refered to by their traditional name ,and one of the barmaids gave out the death stare on hearing this innocent mistake.We were leaving shortly but drank up and moved on.
Ale choice on the visit were North Brewing Irish Cream Stout (NBSS 4),Hoptronic Golden Triange,Nene Valley Release the Chimps,That's Out Pal New England Pale,Mr Winters Hapi,two real ciders and six craft kegs.
The interior was sparse but some parquet flooring was a feature ,the pine furniture less so.A decent ale line up so this 2023 GBG entry is worth a visit but watch your P&Q's .
On 16th April 2023
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2737 recommendations about 2737 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Graham Coombs left this review about Artichoke
An interesting old flint-faced building on the outside, but the interior seems to have been attacked by someone with a yellow wood fetish - floor, furniture, wall panels and bar. Then add some dark green beams for contrast. Despite all that, it was not unpleasant and seemed friendly enough. A good range of 7 cask ales, both local and from further afield, plus a couple of ciders were on offer. They appear to run an off-licence in an outbuilding also.
On 15th April 2023
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3352 recommendations about 3289 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
paulof horsham left this review about Artichoke
It's Friday night and ultra loud at the bar, which hosts 6 cask and numerous keg options. Fortunately, a little sanity and plentiful seats are the rule once you move away. The cask is well-chosen, including a fairly rare Brew By Numbers Session IPA. Attracting a good crowd already and it's not yet 6:30.
I'd say it's worth a look-in, though I'd be inclined to find a quieter time for a return visit if I were just in for a pint.
On 14th March 2023
- rating: 7
[User has posted 453 recommendations about 425 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about Artichoke
A wonderfully eye-catching building with its flint walls and rounded turrets with little hats, very Mittel Europa I though. Couldn’t last though, the inside is a bit knocked-through and blandised in a draining light brown shade throughout but some Art Deco style bits are still visible, from the parquet floor to the funny little hatched windows. Eight pumps at the bar with five ales on; my Nene Valley Manhattan Project was a good drop (NBSS 3.5) alongside various crafty items and some ciders. The staff, whilst somewhat caricature craft beer/woke students in look, were extremely friendly and welcoming. Exceeded expectations, this one.
Visited early August.
On 12th September 2021
- rating: 8
[User has posted 5108 recommendations about 5091 pubs]