The Punch Tavern has a continuous Punch & Judy theme running through it, from the grinning portraits of Mr and Mrs Punch in the lobby, to artefacts including pages and letters from Punch the satirical magazine. The founders of this magazine used to meet in this pub to discuss their latest publication. They also provide a range of entertainment including satellite TV. Guests are advised to phone for details about catering for private parties.
Punch Tavern
Pub in The City
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Opening Times
| Monday |
Open 08:00 - Closes 23:00 |
| Tuesday |
Open 08:00 - Closes 23:00 |
| Wednesday |
Open 08:00 - Closes 23:00 |
| Thursday |
Open 08:00 - Closes 23:00 |
| Friday |
Open 08:00 - Closes 23:00 |
| Saturday |
Open 11:00 - Closes 23:00 |
| Sunday |
Open 11:00 - Closes 23:00 |
All In London Review
Friendly, efficient and attentive staff but in tired surroundings
I was also keen to visit as various people had mentioned that it was a great venue and the web site pictures certainly make it look very attractive – Victorian fittings, stylish bar, classic pub mirrors, traditional fireplace, wooden floors, ceiling sky lights, Punch and Judy decorations etc. But in the cold light of day it all looked rather tired. So I was a bit disappointed.
However, on the plus side – when the staff appeared they were friendly, efficient and attentive. There’s an Antipodean influence there – which is great but kind of jars with the very Englishness of the whole place.
I had a Capricorn goat’s cheese salad with a honey mustard dressing (£6.50). It was a generous portion. The croutons were large, warm and crispy. The goat’s cheese was firm but creamy and supported by French beans, various leaves, broad beans and tomatoes. It was certainly fresh and the dressing was very light. I felt I had eaten very healthily.
Other items on the menu included sandwiches (£5.50), soup, pate, potted prawns and devilled chicken livers (all at £4.50 each) and mains at £8.50 including burgers, beer battered haddock, salmon and crab cakes, oysters, ploughman’s, honey roast ham (they roast their own hams), chicken breast and sausages and mash.
There is a small separate area to the rear with several tables and what looks like a carvery (cost £8.50) – but it wasn’t operational during my visit.
There was lots of space and I got my peace and quiet (even though there was some mellow music playing in the background). There were a few other people in there – mostly informal business people chatting at impromptu meetings (well it certainly beats Starbucks for this purpose) but there was also a canoodling couple (presumably away from prying eyes?) and even a few women with some children in tow. Perhaps they were entertained by the attractive fish tank in the main bar area?
I have heard though that in the evenings it is really busy and fun. And a couple of my corporate clients have considered hosting events there. Tourists would be intrigued by the history and those with a media interest will be excited by its past association with Punch magazine journalists.
Reviewed by KimT
Published on Jun 11, 2009
User Reviews
crawler
May 22, 2011
As we approached the door a gentleman asked if we would be dining or just having a drink, we informed him of the latter and he took us to a table and took our order. Lovely looking pub with an impressive skylight which was nice to look at for a few minutes but didn’t distract me enough to notice that our drinks were not forthcoming, so after waiting a few minutes more we left. Shame really as it seems a nice place but there’s a time for sitting and viewing and a time for sitting and drinking and this was most defiantly not viewing time.
soulfly
Jun 19, 2007
The Punch was pretty cool last Friday Night!
we had a share platter and some beers, it was really packed so we had to munch on bombay mix until the food finally arrived but it was worth the wait. The beers were going down well but I would not go there for a quiet beer. Staff were friendly andf the crowd was good!
we had a share platter and some beers, it was really packed so we had to munch on bombay mix until the food finally arrived but it was worth the wait. The beers were going down well but I would not go there for a quiet beer. Staff were friendly andf the crowd was good!
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