Not already a member?
Join our community and
- Rate & review pubs
- Upload pictures
- Add events
JOIN for free NOW
Chat about:
Random news of the day with Tris39
on the Pub Forum
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 3½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about Punch & Judy
I dropped into this pub on a whim as I was passing, and had a swift half in the balcony bar, from where you can watch the goings on down below, which mainly consist of street artists; some sort of tightrope walking was the highspot during my short visit. There's no real ale in the balcony bar - beer is served in plastic glasses and my half of Neck Oil was £3.60. That's tourist central Covent Garden for you.
There was a surprisingly large number of tourists in Covent Garden, but I suppose not as many as a couple of years ago. Covent Garden has changed over the years; I remember the first CAMRA beer festival here back in 1974. It was definitely less hectic then without all the restaurants and the like that we have now. But it's encouraging to see the hospitality economy here thriving again.
It must be around 20 years or so since I last visited the Punch & Judy and it hasn't improved. But maybe the downstairs bar is better.
On 6th December 2021
- rating: 3
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
custodian 42 left this review about Punch & Judy
Basement bar in Covent Garden. A couple of real ales but nothing of any great strength. Usual other offerings and full of Japanese or Chinese tourists.
On 9th February 2017
- rating: 4
[User has posted 1693 recommendations about 1691 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
E TA left this review about Punch & Judy
I drank in the subterranean bar this time, and it's the first time I've really appreciated the vaulted ceiling down there. There were two ales on. My pint of Thwaites's Wainwright was in extremely good condition, a marked change from previous experiences here. The clientele was better behaved than previously, the amateur acts in the market basement were very good, so all in all it's a pretty good place to hide from the weather. That's the way to do it.
On 19th November 2013
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3285 recommendations about 3250 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about Punch & Judy
The balcony is this pub's only redeeming feature. Devoid of natural light, the cramped, hot and airless bare brick basement features loud music and high stools. Food is in the form of fish and chips and the like, displayed on laminated menus. Service is dire; our barmaid couldn't speak a word of English; I had to explain to her what crisps were! She then poured my round of four Beck's to at least an inch below the pint line; we had to get all of them topped up.
This is the worst pub in Covent Garden and seems only to appeal to naïve tourists and some slightly chavey incomers.
On 5th October 2013
- rating: 1
[User has posted 1985 recommendations about 1951 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about Punch & Judy
This listed building dates from 1787 and is part of one end of the Covent Garden piazza,and its been thoroughly ruined under the stewardship of Taylor Walker.Once past the bouncers you either go up to the Balcony Bar or down to the Cellar.I decided on a nostalgic trip to the Balcony,where there is a fine room with a vaulted ceiling,some original cornicing and french windows opening onto the balcony which gives the best view of the street theatre performers below.That's where the good news ends.
The very loud tastless musak inhibits normal conversation,all drinks are served in plasic containers (including wine),two large flat screens above the bar are tuned to sports coverage and create a laddish atmosphere,and prices are sky high with two small Peroni's and a small Shiraz almost topping £14.The balcony is also about the only place in Covent Garden where you can smoke ,which takes the edge off the views.Although real ale is served in the Cellar,you can't bring a glass of it up to the Balcony and there is an aggressive bottle and plastic mug collection policy so dont leave your drink unattended if venturing to the gents.No real ale served in the Balcony Bar.I couldn't imagine wanting to eat in such a place,although pub grub is on offer.High tables and sticky surfaces abound.
Best left to the tourists in it's present state,it could be an iconic pub in the right hands but fails on virtually every count.
On 8th June 2013
- rating: 2
[User has posted 2727 recommendations about 2727 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
BobOs . left this review about Punch & Judy
Well below average in all areas pretty much sums it up - beers only so-so, food appalling, service cavalier. Will the tourists who pack it out never learn?
On 16th July 2011
- rating: 2
[User has posted 370 recommendations about 355 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about Punch & Judy
Odd place - no pub at ground level, so you either go up to the bar behind the balcony (imaginatively entitled the "Balcony Bar" - no real ale), or down to the bar in the cellar (surprise, surprise, called the "Cellar Bar" - two handpumps offering Youngs London Gold and Bombardier). In the unlikely event that it is not horribly over-crowded, I suggest first heading down to get a pint then back up two flights of stairs to the balcony for the view. Otherwise, a seat at one of the tables in the lower piazza is probably the best bet.
On 29th May 2011
- rating: 5
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve C left this review about Punch & Judy
This is a pub of two halves as the upstairs bar isn’t that bad, but it is mobbed all day with people trying to get seats on the balcony area that overlook the square below. It really isn’t worth the hassle of jostling for position for find a decent spot to have a drink. In contrast the downstairs bar is rarely busy, but it is gloomy and unwelcoming and the outside seating is not the most pleasant yet always packed.
This place wouldn’t last two weeks outside London, but the tourists keep it going and I’m sure that it will be the same for many years to come.
On 24th April 2009
- rating: 3
[User has posted 5251 recommendations about 5219 pubs]