Kings Head Free House - Norwich

The Kings Head was the local Norwich CAMRA branch Pub of the Year for 2022, which is some achievement when you consider the competition it is up against in this fine Ale city. A nice two room city centre pub which has very much the feeling of a traditional ale house, especially in that it does not offer many, if any keg products. The available real ales are spread across the pumps in both the front and back bars but fortunately there is a chalk board in the plainer front bar as you enter that details all that are on in both bars. For my inaugural visit as part of our Norwich crawl Green Jack Brewery’s Golden Best and Trawlerboys, Hop Monster’s Banshee Porter, Newby Wyke Brewery’s Benvoilio, Humpty Dumpty’s Swallowtail and Brewer’s Reserve and Derby Brewing’s Quintessential were the available ales alongside two real ciders. There’s also a decent list of Belgian beers and some craft products avialable in bottles. I went for the Humpty Dumpty Swallow tail in my continuing quest to drink local on this crawl and it was a very pleasant drop. I found this a very friendly pub with a friendly set of regulars and it’s very easy to strike up conversations with like minded souls and fellow drinkers in this pub. Young drinkers were also in evidence on this early evening so cannot really understand the negative review below. Although I could imagine that like any pub or club, the regulars probably do not take kindly to shouty mobile phone using plonkers, which could explain it.

We just love this Norwich local, great selection of local brews, plus many Belgian and other foreign bottled beers. Knowledgeable staff of what is served. Best of all was the friendliness of everyone. The little front bar especially, where everybody got involved in conversations. Visited it several times during our week in Norwich

Don't attend unless you are a frequent attender. No phones allowed, although not said anywhere. You'll be stared at unless you are known. Very hostile to younger drinkers. Avoid

This is a small pub which has eschewed food, comfortable seating, ales with a head, music and all other similar fripperies . What it does have is a range of well kept local beers and a bagatelle table which you are not invited to use despite the bar staff occasionally using it themselves. Go for a quiet pint as your grandfather would have done.

Love this pub. Large selection of fine ales, bar billiards- one of only 5 tables in Norwich, great service from friendly staff and a fantastic atmosphere. Highly recommend the place for a great night out.