Hi everyone! Sorry for the short break in posts – I’ve been in Norwich celebrating the graduation of one of my close friends! Last night, to mark the occasion, we went for drinks at Mr Postles' Apothecary. I’d always been rather intrigued by this place – on previous trips to the city, I’d noticed the dusty glass bottles lined up behind its windows – but this was the first time I’d actually been in. I was very pleasantly surprised, and know that I'll be back there again soon.
About Mr Postles' Apothecary
Just a short walk from Norwich's railway station, Mr Postles' Apothecary is a buzzing bar (and dining spot, although we didn’t try any of their food), offering a wide selection of quirky cocktails. Complete with themed seating rooms and a smoking area, it’s a place that’s suitable for any occasion: a classy post-dinner treat with relatives, or equally a wild pre-drinking session with friends.
Our experience
The drinks
My friends and I spent a good few hours at this bar, enjoying beverages in its dimly-lit Lab Room. We were a pretty large group, all with fairly different tastes, so, between us, we ticked quite a number of items off the menu. Our favourites were:
- Cherry Bakewell: cherry brandy, Disaronno, and cranberry juice, topped with whipped cream (tasted just like the classic dessert!).
- Candy Cane: vodka, peach liqueur, and various fruit juices, topped with Skittles!
- Passion Fruit Cooler: vodka and Cointreau, mixed with passion fruit juice, and poured over dry ice!
- Chocolate and Vanilla Russian: a creamy liqueur flavoured with chocolate and topped with Oreos (essentially an alcoholic milkshake).
- Elderflower Kir: elderflower liqueur with prosecco (a nice trip down memory lane, as this was my go-to order when I lived in France).
We had a great time watching our drinks being prepared behind the bar: some looked more like potions, with the evaporating dry ice erupting from them!
The music
Fortunately for us, our trip to this bar coincided with their weekly music night (it's on every Tuesday, in case you’re wondering). Various local artists performed for us, all of them belting out feel-good songs with great gusto! One of the bartenders explained to us that these people weren’t being paid for their gigs. As a result, we really got the sense that they were passionate about what they were doing, and genuinely wanted to be there.
The staff
Everyone working at Mr Postles' Apothecary that evening was terrifically jolly, partly, I imagine, thanks to the not so sneaky shots they took during their shifts... They gave great drinks recommendations, and one or two impressed me with their glass-juggling skills!
The interior decoration
I love drinking spots with character, and this one certainly had its idiosyncrasies. There were empty potion bottles displayed in all the windows, showers of fairy lights hung from the ceiling and across various walls, and leafy plants standing proud in the corners of some of the rooms. Each drinks booth had a very cosy feel to it – no doubt helped by the candles placed on each table – and little extra touches, like the full-length mirror in the ladies' bathroom, showed how much care had been taken to ensure the wellbeing of customers.
Why you should try this place out
If you’re ever in Norwich, I’d highly recommend spending an evening at Mr Postles' Apothecary! The drinks are delicious (and almost all under £10 (€12)), the interior design is zany, and the atmosphere is wonderfully lively. You’ll have an unforgettable evening and, if you get there for happy hour (every night between 3pm and 7pm), you’ll be able to enjoy two-for-one cocktails. Cheers to that!
