Norwich hides some of its best bars up side doors and down medieval lanes. This guide covers 20 of the city's cocktail bars, from an 1820s apothecary to a rooftop with views of the cathedral, with our top ten, a map and routes you can walk tonight.
20bars
4areas
3walking trails
7themed guides
Last checked 11 November 2026. No bar paid to be included.
The maze of independent streets west of the market: Pottergate, Bedford Street, Charing Cross and St Benedicts Street, with speakeasies and a tiny gin bar.
Swipe to see all 7 bars โ
Photo: Cameron McKnespiey on Google Maps1 ยท Norwich Lanes and St Benedicts Street
Bar Hawthorn
Speakeasy cocktail bar
A relaxed upstairs cocktail bar above Makers House on St Benedicts Street, reached by a side door, serving unusual and bespoke cocktails. Open on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Photo: Katarzyna Zakrzewska on Google Maps18 ยท Norwich Lanes and St Benedicts Street
The Ten Bells
Bar
A relaxed bar on St Benedicts Street at the bottom of Ten Bells Lane, with bespoke cocktails, craft beer, wings and a daily cocktail club from 4pm to 8pm.
Photo: Tony Parkins on Google Maps4 ยท Tombland and Upper King Street
Chambers Cocktail Company
Cocktail bar
A cocktail bar on Wensum Street specialising in original cocktails made with homemade ingredients, plus classics, bespoke drinks and a big spirits range.
๐๏ธ Book at the weekendThe smaller bars fill up on Friday and Saturday. Book where you can, or go early.
๐ถ It's compactTombland, the Lanes and London Street are all within ten minutes' walk of each other.
๐ธ Check the daysSome of the best bars open only a few nights a week, so check before you go.
๐ Bring IDYou must be 18 to drink and many bars ask for ID if you look under 25.
โYour questions
What is the best cocktail bar in Norwich?
Start with Bar Hawthorn on St Benedicts Street, 11th & Social on Upper King Street and J. Doe & Co. on Charing Cross. Chambers Cocktail Company is the pick for original drinks made with homemade ingredients.
Where are the best areas for cocktails in Norwich?
Tombland and Upper King Street have several of the best bars a few doors apart. The Norwich Lanes are best for speakeasies and independents and London Street and Bank Plain are busiest late.
Are there hidden bars in Norwich?
Yes. Bar Hawthorn is upstairs through a side door on St Benedicts Street, J. Doe & Co. is a speakeasy-style bar on Charing Cross and Tipsy Anchor is tucked away on Bedford Street.
Is there a rooftop bar in Norwich?
Yes. Rooftop Gardens on Rose Lane has views of the cathedral and the castle and Gonzo's Tea Room on London Street has a rooftop space.
Which Norwich bars are open late?
Gonzo's Tea Room runs events until 4am, J. Doe & Co. is open until 1am on Friday and Saturday and The Rumsey Wells is open until 1am. Hours change, so check before you go.
๐Who wrote this guide
This guide is written by the team at M.AD Agency. We run cocktail festivals in more than 20 towns and cities across the UK and Ireland and have worked with hundreds of bars since 2022. We love Norwich's bars, so we put this guide together from our own research and trusted local guides.
No bar paid to be included and nobody can buy a place. We check the guide regularly as bars open, change and close.