Punchbowl, Bristol

The Punchbowl has an attractive exterior with some well preserved tiling and the pub name boldly presented high on the front wall. Inside it is all a bit more basic, a long and narrow bare boarded room with the bar along one side towards the front. A bit of effort has been made to brighten the pub up and add some interest as there are a series of French advertisment posters in frames all around. Seating is of the regular chair and table standard with tables rather crammed together at the rear Wetherspoons style. A big screen at the rear was showing the Italian version of Sky Sports with a live Premier League game on on Saturday afternoon. The clientele were rather lively and blokey but certainly not unfriendly towards the stranger in their midst even if everyone seemed to be acquainted. Three handpumps offered a mainstream choice of Doom Bar, Bombardier and Young's London Gold, the latter good value at £2.50. The food is cheap too although not having sampled I can't really vouch for it, ham, egg and chips £4.50, chilli and chips £4.50, curry of the day £5. A ska/reggae/northern soul night was advertised with some DJ or other. A basic down to earth boozer offering food and drink at attractive prices, worth popping in for a pint or two.

Been through several sets of tenants/pubco victims in recent months. Only sells Courage Best (yawn) on the ale front and it was off on my most recent resultant non visit. Staff sit at the bar at midnight after shutting letting all passing through Old Market see them cashing up their till. Hmmm.