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The Murderers, Norwich
Norwich
NR1 3LB
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 8 of 10) see review guidelines
Old Boots left this review about The Murderers
Probably the most famous pub in Norwich, no need for me to expand much on the descriptions in previous reviews, however it’s two buildings almost knocked into one via a connecting door. The lower building is a maze of small spaces with divisions of rescued medieval timbers. The counter is roughly U shaped with 3 pulls for cider then 8 for cask ales, apart from Adnams Ghost Ship all the casks were from small breweries mostly unknown to me. Some of the decor is medieval items but mainly photos of famous murderers. An interesting pub all round.
On 21st April 2024
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3269 recommendations about 2978 pubs]
Steve C left this review about The Murderers
The Murderers has a central L-shaped bar counter with snugs and split level seating either side, although the right-hand side was roped off during a recent Thursday evening visit. Eleven of the twelve hand pumps were in operation drawing Adnams Ghost Ship, Wolf Brewery’s Edith Cavell, Silver Fox and Murderer’s Ale (probably rebadged Wolf Ale), Lister’s Brewery’s Springtime, Parkway Brewing’s Pirate’s Pet, Grain Brewery’s Chevallier 47, Beccles Brewing’s Sky Pale Ale and Mr Winters Vanilla Latte Stout. There were also two cask ciders alongside premium keg. In the left rear are multiple televisions for airing live football. The pub was comfortably busy, the staff were polite and there was a good atmosphere, so I’d gladly return for a second visit.
On 23rd April 2023
- rating: 8
[User has posted 5239 recommendations about 5207 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about The Murderers
Universally known as The Murderers ,it's actually the Gardeners Arms but no one gets confused.Nothing really needs to be added to Steve's excellent review,I really enjoyed my trip and would say this is the pub you must visit when in the City Centre,it's got lots of features ,a great vibe and a long list of well kept ale.I went in two days after Steve with much the same ale list although Moon Gazer White Face,Adnams Ghost Ship and Milestone New World Pale had also rotated on.My Wolf Edith Cavell was very good (NBSS 4).It's a family owned pub and we also spoke to the guv'nor ,an engaging fellow who organises the Norwich Ale Trail in late May through June to encourage supping Norfolk ale in the fine pubs in the city,where over 50 have signed up and you get a lapel badge for each of the 7 trails you complete.Shame I dont live in Norwich.
A must visit ,IMHO the best in the immediate City Centre area.
On 16th April 2023
- rating: 9
[User has posted 2727 recommendations about 2727 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve of N21 left this review about The Murderers
This used to be my favourite pub in Norwich back in the early 80’s when I used to visit a friend who was at UEA at the time. Not only because it was a forerunner for real ale back then, but also because visits were with a level of jeopardy as the landlord and his cronies didn’t like students.
Well, first time back in the best part of 40 years and I thought it was still a thoroughly good pub, with a friendly vibe. It even looked like there were students working the jump, just to prove how much more inclusive it now is compared to my 80’s experience s. The front section houses the main bar that accommodates vertical drinking and then off this to the left is a collection of seating areas separated by exposed beams of some age with a fair few nooks and crannies to hide yourself away in. And it’s not until you get to the larger room at the back that it opens out into one large space. This section is dominated by large flat screens and surround sound for the sport and is where most people interested in the football position themselves. I think they also have live bands in this section.
Back in the 80’s, as well as being dual named (as it still is today) it was also famous for having a double sided pub sign with an innocent looking gardener chap on the side as you walk up the hill, and then a sinister dark figure on the other side depicting the name the pub takes from the incident that took place in the pub in 1895. Sadly that seems to have disappeared and the pub is currently sign less from what I could see.
One thing that is unchanged from my remembrances, and is probably enhanced is the collection of famous murderers that adorn all the wall surfaces and those mentioned by John B below are still in situ including many others such as a photo of Reg and Ronnie Cray, which is apt as they owned a house in nearby Attleborough during their reign of terror and Ronnie actually passed away in a hotel in Norwich, nor far from this pub.
Another thing that seems unchanged is a focus on real ale and the bar supports 12 handpumps and 11 were on the go for my visit with nine ales and two ciders available.
On the ale front seven were from East Anglia in the form of three from the nearby Wolf Brewery ( Murderers Ale, Silver Fox and Edith Cavell ), Grain Brewery Chevallier 47 , Beccles Brewery Sky PA , Mr Winters Vanilla Latte Stout, and Adnams Ghost Ship. Then from further afield there was Parkway Brewing Co. Pirates Pet and Listers Springtime. I went for the Mr Winters Vanilla Latte Stout and very good it was too.
I wanted to like this pub again, and I did, in spades…
On 16th April 2023
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2110 recommendations about 1992 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Aqualung . left this review about Gardeners Arms & Murderers Cafe Bar
I went in the Cafe Bar part of this establishment as the main part was rammed with people watching football. This had five beers and two ciders. The beers were Lacon Falcon, Shortts Farm The Cure, Cottage Over The Bar, Winter's Golden Boot and Panther Ginger Wheat. I went for the Golden Boot (£3.90) only realising after that it was a football themed beer. It was in good nick and wasn't a disaster like most of them are. This part of the pub was full of young trendy types braying at each other so that with the football next door and the sky high prices meant I wasn't impressed.
On 29th June 2016
- rating: 5
[User has posted 2143 recommendations about 2143 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
John Bonser left this review about Gardeners Arms & Murderers Cafe Bar
Date of visit April 2013
At the foot of historic Timberhill in the heart of Norwich is The Gardeners Arms and Murderers Café Bar, to give it its official full trading title, but, apparently better known to all and sundry as simply The Murderers. The pub dates back to 1696. It proudly proclaims itself as being family owned.
Inside is a rather quirky interior on different levels with various nooks and crannies, exposed brickwork, pots and pans hanging down from the ceiling and some unusual wood carvings.
Perhaps not surprisingly, a murderous theme dominates, with the pub walls and pillars covered in frame newspaper cuttings and prints telling us all we would wish to know about the murderer in question - one Frank Miles, who, in June 1895, murdered a former landlady’s daughter, Milly, from whom he had separated. He later escaped a death sentence following a public petition demanding clemency on the grounds of provocation. There’s also cuttings and prints about other famous murderers – eg Ruth Ellis, Burke & Hare, Al Capone, Dr Crippen etc although notably, I didn’t see anything about the notorious Kray killing in The Blind Beggar, Whitechapel.
There’s a slightly weird macabre feel with all this memorabilia round every corner. I half expected to see a hangman’s noose suspended from one of the fake wooden beams – perhaps it’s there and I missed it. Rather incongruously, there’s several large electronic games machines looking somewhat out of place and Sky Sports are prominently advertised. There’s a few seats outside at the front where you can watch the comings and goings.
Up a few steps on the right hand side of the pub is The Murderers Café Bar, housed in what is an extension to the original pub and which was added in 1991. Good honest pub grub is the order of the day here.
The pub advertises that nine real ales are always on. On my visit, these included beers from Wolf Brewery, Star Brewery plus Winters Cloudburst, Woodforde Wherry and Sharps Doom Bar. The house beer – Murderers Ale – is brewed by Coors.
The pub is a CAMRA Good Beer Guide regular and holds regular beer festivals.
I’m naturally sceptical about a pub which promotes, as its USP, that it was the location of a murder well over a century ago, but the beer was in good nick and it’s relatively central location makes this one to look out, particularly if time is limited
On 22nd October 2013
- rating: 8
[User has posted 560 recommendations about 560 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about Gardeners Arms & Murderers Cafe Bar
Nice old pub, with a little seating out front but thankfully larger than it first looks inside (with a jumbled layout disguising various seating areas). Sports bar with a large screen to one side, full of Canaries fans when I last visited. Good value menu. Excellent range from nine handpumps, e.g. a fine pint of Golden Triangle Red Square at £3.55, supplemented by many more on gravity during beer festivals. Worthwhile stop on any Norwich visit.
On 23rd June 2013
- rating: 8
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about Gardeners Arms & Murderers Cafe Bar
A comfortable and friendly pub serving a good range of ales from microbreweries. This traditional pub also serves food and will hold a pub fest a few times a year. I went for the Bowman Brewery Eldorado and Tripple fff Brewery Pressed Rat and Worthog. This multi-roomed and multi-level pub dates from 1696. Great ales here, but awful prices £3.60 a pint for a 3.8 ABV.
On 2nd November 2012
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3382 recommendations about 3381 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Gill Smith left this review about Gardeners Arms & Murderers Cafe Bar
Friendly multiroomed pub in the city centre with a variety of real ales on offer. We chose 2 Nethergate beers,Golden Gate and Azzaparrot, plus Nobbys Biggus Dickus. Beers fine.
On 14th September 2012
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1339 recommendations about 1222 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
p cutter left this review about Gardeners Arms & Murders Cafe Bar
Traditional English Freehouse,in the 21st Century. One of the last remaining 'proper'boozers in the city centre.Food served at lunchtimes,with all the very best of live sports action from SKY SPORTS.
7 quality local real ales, always on sale, in tip top condition.7 draught lagers
The only pub in the country which is known by 2 different names!Why is it called the Murderers?Pop in and ask the Manager, he's always prepared to tell you the story of how the pub got it's gruesome name.
Greatt staff and atmosphere for a city pub.A must on any Norwich pub crawl,shopping lunch visit of maybe a quick one after work.
see you there!
Mines a large one...and I'm not boasting!!
On 19th November 2006
- rating: 10
[User has posted 1 recommendations about 1 pubs]