Artichoke, Norwich

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 .