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The Punch Bowl (JD Wetherspoon), York
York
YO24 1AU
Pub Type
J D WetherspoonReviews (Current Rating Average: 6½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The Punch Bowl (JD Wetherspoon)
Managed three visits here during my stay over as it was so close to the Blossom St Premier Inn and the train station - though traversing the junction outside can be a life or death experience. Little change to the description below, a more pubby atmosphere than many of Tims other offerings. Generally the ale was of a decent standard though I had one that was rancid (I'd be more inclined to blame the beer rather than the pub). Like Maldenman, I also found the place was often understaffed. Useful for fuel and the two meals I had were decent.
Feb 2009
In terms of Wetherspoons interiors, this isn't a bad one and quite unlike most of the others in its comparatively small size - the YO1 building straitjacket. The interior is fairly dark away from the curved front windows but if you head to the rear there’s a very nice little conservatory area with glass ceiling. The beer range was decent and my couple of halves were most acceptable. However, one area in which this place is also unlike Wetherspoons are the toilets - they were a rather rancid and an old-time affair. All in all, not bad...but in York, that's being damned with faint praise. In another town, this Spoons would merit more serious attention. Rated 7
On 5th April 2015
- rating: 6
[User has posted 5391 recommendations about 5374 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Blackthorn _ left this review about The Punchbowl (JD Wetherspoon)
A Wetherspoon’s pub located on a street corner at the end of the Micklegate strip and not far from the station, it is not your usual JDW offering, being somewhat smaller and having a little moiré traditional pub character than many of the company’s outlets.
It a U-shape pub with a wood strip floor, and dark wood panelling covered much of the walls with maroon and cream paintwork elsewhere. Curved windows at the front gave good views of the road outside and there were a number of exposed brick pillars as well as a brick fire-place and wood-burning stove, although this was not in use on our visit. A few TV’s were dotted around showing the sport, but the volume was off so this was not too intrusive. A further room to the left had a small sloping section of glass roof giving a light and airy feel and this had views out on to the courtyard at the side.
The menu offered the usual extensive selection, and the food appeared remarkably quickly once we had ordered. My Pulled Pork Burger with a Barbeque sauce was part of some meal deal with a drink which got rather complicated as had already ordered something else, and the helpful barmaid promised onion rings as an alternative but unfortunately these did not materialise. The burger itself was ok, but rather bereft of any texture and not really much in the way of taste either, other than the barbeque sauce.
There was a good choice of beers on tap with Vale SPS, Ruddles Best, Moorhouse Old Boss, Wadworth’s Ye Olde Admiral, Banks & Taylor’s Bedfordshire Clanger, Lancaster Brewery Albion Connection and Barley Brown’s ESA whilst the Doom Bar appeared to have run out. Ciders were Strongbow and Gwynt Y Ddraig Black Dragon. Overall, one of the companies better outlets, but then there are some very good pubs in York so it needs to be.
On 2nd April 2015
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2021 recommendations about 1928 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Malden man left this review about The Punchbowl (JD Wetherspoon)
A corner site JDW which looks like it has always been a pub however according to Whatpub it is a former pharmacy and butcher's shop. Regardless it does have proper pub character unlike many of the brand's other shop conversions. The bar area is boarded, carpeted elsewhere, there is a bit of a conservatory type area at the far end which prevents that dark and gloomy look you get in some 'spoons. I reckoned on eight festival/guest beers, a good effort, not so the service on Friday morning when one poor young girl was doing her level best on her own while plenty of punters were waiting to order breakfast. in fairness though I visited a few times during my stay in York and at other times everything was fine so probably just a blip.
On 30th March 2015
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1708 recommendations about 1681 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Moby Duck left this review about The Punchbowl (JD Wetherspoon)
As Spoons go this one isn't to bad at all,being one of their smaller outlets works greatly in its favour in my book, it actually looks and feels like a real pub,far better than many of their soulless drinking barns. 10 handpumps and most were active with only a couple labelled coming soon,I plumped for B&T's Bedfordshire Clanger which I found to be well kept and a decent first of many beers tasted in York that day.One of a very select band of JDW's I would be happy to return to.
On 28th March 2015
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2051 recommendations about 2021 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
john mcgraw left this review about The Punchbowl (JD Wetherspoon)
A fairly small Wetherspoon's with a fair selection of real ales but nothing to get excited about.
On 11th April 2014
- rating: 5
[User has posted 2044 recommendations about 2025 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about The Punchbowl (JD Wetherspoon)
Eight ales and two ciders on handpump on our visit. I went for Acorn Madness, which was fine. I noticed the regulars take over the front corner bay seated area, so you would be very lucky to get in there, as it is the best spot. Staff were friendly and pleasant.
On 8th August 2013
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3511 recommendations about 3511 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
hondo . left this review about The Punchbowl (JD Wetherspoon)
Not the biggest of pubs by spoons standards & very busy when the racing is on. Up to 8 real ales.
On 13th May 2013
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 2905 recommendations about 2842 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Gill Smith left this review about The Punchbowl (JD Wetherspoon)
I reckon this is the best Wetherspoon outlet in York for prompt service, clean and tidy bar area and tables, and beer quality. Enjoyed Daleside Square Rigger IPA this visit.
On 5th March 2013
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1339 recommendations about 1222 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
ROB Camra left this review about The Punchbowl (JD Wetherspoon)
All the things I said previously still stand. We called in for breakfast last Thursday and were served very promptly. We called back later that evening and I had a well kept pint of Moorhouses Cold Spell. Good job guys, keep it up.
15/09/2010
This is our regular stop at the beginning and end of the day in York. We often call in for breakfast when staying at the Holiday Inn on Tadcaster Road.
They want £15.95 for breakfast, a large one here cost < £5.
It's also a decent place to call in for a last one before catching the bus back. It's a relatively small L shaped room, with no really outstanding features. There is always a decent range of guest beers on the bar and they've always been well kept in my experience. The service is pretty good for a Spoons as well, especially at breakfast when they've always been excellent. One of the better pubs in the chain.
On 6th January 2013
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3258 recommendations about 3168 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Alan Winfield left this review about The Punchbowl (JD Wetherspoon)
This pub was originaly a John Smiths tied house and Wetherspoons have done it up in their style but it is not as large as most spoons are.
There are several different drinking areas and it was packed on a Sunday morning with the usuall spoons crowd i had a drink of York Guzzler and this was a decent drink.
This pub is handy when all others around hav'nt opened.
On 10th April 2011
- rating: 6
[User has posted 6113 recommendations about 6113 pubs]