Going Out

Norwich: White Lion

WHERE IS IT?

Once there were 40 pubs scattered along Oak Street - you could barely stagger a 20-yards without coming across another - plus Bullards brewery at the road's city end. The Old White Lion, close to the junction with St Crispin's Road, which stood boarded up and looking sorry for itself for years, has revived the tradition.



WHAT'S IT LIKE?

The pub, which had been in a sorry state attracting both squatters and vandals, was bought and restored by Cambridge-based Milton Brewery and is now being run by Ralph Holland and his Polish wife Anna-Maria Draganek-Holland. Split into three rooms, the main bar, a side room and a surprisingly large back room, it has been given a red and dark wood décor with a slightly ramshackle selection of tables and chairs, sofas and wood pews. It's a bit rough and ready around the edges, it certainly not for those looking for a modern bar, but it has a lived-in feel already.



THE DRINKS

Where do you start? It's a real ale lover's paradise. A mindboggling selection on tap. Inevitably the selection is dominated by Milton beers, including Dionysus, Minotaur, Pegasus, Sparta, but also an ever-changing selection of guest ales from local, regional and farther afield brewers including Humpty Dumpty, Blackfriars, Wakefield-based Clarks and Nottinghamshire brewers Milestone. There is also a very tempting choice of bottled beers and continental ales, including Barbar Blonde, Chimay Blue, Hoegaarden Forbidden Fruit, Kwak Kwak, St Bernardus Prior 8 and Westmalle Tripel. Even the choice of lager is a bit different: a quality British lager from Taddington Brewery in the Peak District, which real ale lovers have been raving about.



THE FOOD

This is no gastro-pub. Crisps to wash down that pint.



THE ENTERTAINMENT

Traditional pub games including bar billiards and darts. No TV or live sports. It's the sort of place where conversation is the main source of entertainment. No background music either.



THE REGULARS

Though this part of the city has been a surge of new houses in recent years, the main customers base is real ale lovers and those who like their pubs the more traditional the better.

The White Lion, 73 Oak Street, Norwich, 01603 632333, www.individualpubs.co.uk/whitelion/