The Punch House, Ware

Looking at the front of the building shows that the current pub is infact the amalgamation of two former pubs.To the left is a fine Georgian building which was the original Punch House while to the right is a much smaller and older cottage style building with a pubsign bracket from which these days hangs the Punch House pubsign.You enter up some steps into the Georgian building but once inside to your right down some steps is the low ceiling and inglenook fire (not working)of the old pub.This area is a cosy spot to drink in with many original timbers and it feels removed from the large open plan interior of the larger building. There has been a gastro makeover here and long gone are the days when a cantankerous landlord would chose the customers to whom he would serve his beer,suggesting to those not favoured that they should go forth and multiply. The bar is at the rear of the building along a side wall,infront of which are several high tables,liberal use of ceiling spotlights and a large leather banquette in one corner by an entrance to a sizeable patio. Although tied to Greene King only their IPA was occupying one of the three handpumps so there is a guest ale policy with the choice on my visit of TT Landlord or Brain's Merlin's Oak (£3.20),in OK condition but just not a great beer.Most customers early doors were drinking but looking at the food menu GK are trying to project the pub as upmarket with mains £6-£12,fish dishes £7-£11,and hand pressed burgers (what a laughable description)£8-£10. The overall feel is still very corporate but it may be worth popping in to see what guest beers are on if you are on a crawl.The exterior has more merit than the interior.

Modernised Gastro pub on the High Street. Yes there are two GK pumps on the bar, but this is the type of place that focuses on food and sells more Pinot Grigio than beer. Probably OK if you want to eat , but not the type of place just to stop and catch a beer, which is why I didn’t and therefore wont rate it.

Official page of the Punch House, including menu, at a Greene King site - www.gkpubs.co.uk

Refurbished Greene King pub which is rather larger inside than it looks from the street. Fairly anonymous modern furniture, but traces of the old layout mean that there are several different seating areas (with one at a lower level) which provides a modicum of character. There is also a reasonably-sized patio beer garden out back. Two handpumps and one of those fancy IPA new dispensers (and for the first time I actually asked whether I wanted my beer served in the 'South' or 'North' style) which produced a decent pint at £2.50 (served 'South' of course).

Official page of the Punch House, including menu, at a Greene King site - www.gkpubs.co.uk