The Alexandra Tavern, Norwich

An excellent corner pub hidden away in the residential backstreets of Norwich and makes for a great double header with The Fat Cat 5 minutes walk away. It consists of two traditionally furnished rooms, wooden floored and walls half clad with wood panelling, an old traditional stand up jukebox nestles in a far corner. There were four beers on from the five handpumps, Robinsons Dizzy Blonde , Adnams Ghost Ship , Mr Winters Ale X and Oakham Citra, The Citra went down very well with a cheese and pickle Roll. A cracking pub.

Hidden away in a residential area to the West of Norwich city centre, the Alexandra Tavern is a charming two bar traditional pub and the unofficial tap for the local Chalk Hill Brewery. The main bar is on the right hand side of the building and has a servery split in two parts by a partitioning wall and wide doorway which divides the room into two notional sections. A good amount of bench seating is supplied, supplemented by low stools and standard chairs, one of which had been claimed by the pub cat who looked like it was settling down for the rest of the day. The room has been decorated by various photos, newspaper clippings and breweriana as well as various maritime related items, whilst a pool table resides at the far end of the room. Doors at either end of the bar lead you through to the lounge - a cosy, carpeted space with a long fixed bench opposite the bar which displayed a collection of old Good Beer Guides on the ledge along its back, as well as a wireless set, barometer and old barrel among other nick-nacks. Next to this is a small stove in a pleasant fireplace and further into the room is another fixed bench with framed pump clips and beer adverts above. A stained glass pane set into a short screen in front of the toilet doors had the words 'Bullard's Ales' on it, hinting at one of the pub's previous owners. A dartboard can be found tucked in one corner of the room and there is also a display relating to the landlord's charity rowing challenge which saw him row across the Atlantic Ocean in 2005. Flowers had been placed into old beer bottles on each table which brightened the room up nicely and a quiet soundtrack played through my stay. The pub has a number of sports teams and even a philosophy club led by a former UEA lecturer. Three Chalk Hill beers were on at the bar - Tap, CHB and Gold - so I decided to give one a try, opting for the Tap (£2.60) which turned out to be a very nice session bitter in reasonably good condition. Other options were Hyde's Request and a Pale Ale whose brewer I failed to note. I really enjoyed visiting this interesting pub and left feeling that there was probably lots that I missed during my stay. This is the kind of place that will reward repeat visits and I would say this is one of the better pubs in a city full of excellent boozers.