The Fat Cat

49 West End Street, Norwich

01603 624364

Described by one of our voters as a 'fantastic back-street boozer that is a must to track down, this freehouse has a friendly, relaxed atmosphere, which aims to provide something for everyone. It also won this year's Campaign for Real Ale National Pub of the Year award.

As manager Chris Riches says: 'You can't tie the pub down to any sort of customer or any particular age group. We have lawyers, doctors, teachers, students you name them, we have them.

And the same seems to go for the pub's selection of real ales, which amounts to more than 25 on any day of the week. Supporting local brewers is also a prime concern for the Fat Cat, where brewers are given the chance to show new beers, to see how they fare. Riches is quick to add that the pub also caters for non ale drinkers, with its wide range of Belgian beers and imported lagers, three fruit beers and 10 fruit wines, as well as a more mainstream lager and wine offering.

'It might not sound it, but we like to keep it simple, Riches says. The pub doesn't serve food, and as he explains: 'You come here to drink and talk to your friends.

'Since we don't have music, you never have to shout to someone across the table. This, Riches says, is what the pub has aimed to do for the past 14 years, since Colin and Marjie Keatley have owned the pub.

By selling beer at a reasonable price, but with no deals, Riches also says he doesn't have any problem with anti-social drinkers.