The Punch Bowl, Slough

A mid-90s timewarp pub inside. Semi hexagonal bar (again), brown varnished floor boards, magnolia walls, bar gantry with leaded windows and sodium-style lighting. Football on the TV, competing with a decent mix of soul/funk/disco. Decked terrace to left a bit more 2001. Thai food available. Two pumps - just Pride on but in surprisingly decent nick. Nicely busy, in contrast with much of the local competition. Not exactly worth a detour for but if you’re staying over at a T5 hotel, it’s worth looking-in.

This is a fine looking old pub from both an exterior and interior perspective. It does however highlight what happens to pubs when restauranteurs take over, in this case Thais. Maybe I went in at the wrong time, there was a wedding or christening party going on, but the Thai buffet in the corner meant that there were half eaten paper plates of food everywhere. London Pride was on drafts but I decided not to risk it. My pint of Guinness was pulled up with some amusement, and no little time, by the three Thai women behind the bar. That tick follows tock advert clearly hasn't reached Thailand yet.