The Garnet, Norwich

The Garnet is a bar and bottle shop in an interesting building on the edge of Norwich market. Located on a corner, the tarmac slope around the exterior is lined with picnic tables that were full during a recent Thursday evening visit. Inside, there are shelves full of bottles and cans up the windowed left-hand wall faced by the bar counter up the right. Two of the three hand pumps were in operation drawing Mr Winter’s Vanilla Latte Stout and Barsham’s B.O.B. The craft keg seemed to be more popular with the crowd who wouldn’t have looked our of place in Hoxton. I went for the stout which was spot on. The only seating in the bar area were a couple of stools under a wide beer shelf in one of the windows, the rest of the seating is up a flight of stairs to the right of the bar. Up here is some split-level seating with views out over the market. I’d pop back in here again, but only for one.

Facebook page of The Garnet - www.facebook.com

Facebook page of The Garnet - www.facebook.com

Over 7 years since my last visit, I returned to the renamed Garnet, located in a prominent position on the southern side of Norwich's Market Place. We arrived shortly after midday opening and there was already a steady flow of customers. Built on a bit of a hill, the split-level interior has its bar on the lower level, with no seating that I noticed. Upper levels have a cosy feel with an array of different seating options. We sat on the first level, where a wood burner was kicking out some heat. There are also some benches outside overlooking the market. 3 real ales were on - Panther Red Panther, Shortt's Skiffle & Mr Winter's Vanilla Latte. A decent stop if in this part of Norwich.

I had always assumed that this was going to be a rough market pub, and it is the last one left around the busy Market Place, but that certainly isn't the case now. It features a fine old split-level pub with a restrained refurbishment featuring mostly dark-wood furniture and white-painted walls. Also has a few tables out on the terrace. Four real ales on offer: Adnam's Broadside, Lacon's Four Kisses and Boudicca Spiral Stout (£3.60) on handpump plus a beer from the local Wolf Brewery on gravity.