The Punch Bowl

The Punch Bowl nails it—classy Georgian charm meets pub comfort. The chicken pie? A flaky, savory masterpiece that deserves its own fan club. Their Old Fashioned is dangerously good, and the house beer goes down way too easily. Service? Sharp, friendly, and fast. We came on night one, and honestly, every pub since has felt like a rebound.

What a beautiful English Pub- in the heart of Mayfair this Pub is your quintessential English Pub. The atmosphere is where overseas visitors wants a great English experience. The crew in the pub is the friendliest around town. We were there on the 1st May- To a jam packed pub - lovely- We had booked a table for dinner downstairs. Because it was so noisy- young Spencer who noticed our discomfort moved us to the beautiful dining room upstairs. Then we ordered so much beautiful food and Kyra also noted the food will not fit the table so she very nicely moved us to a big table so we could enjoy our meal in good ambiance and space- what great service- attention to detail and putting their clients first . The food as usual was outstanding as per my previous post. Thank you- a great crew at the PunchBowl

Our first time at The Punchbowl & we were not disappointed. Our tasty meal was served in a relaxed atmosphere with friendly staff who were attentive. All our needs were met & we would definitely visit again the next time we visit London.

Absolutely fantastic food: every dish was spot on. The service was impeccable, attentive without being overbearing, and genuinely warm. Add in a few perfectly poured pints and you’ve got a top-tier experience. Highly recommended.

Tucked away down a quiet side street, The Punch Bowl is the kind of pub you stumble upon and immediately want to keep secret. With its warm, crackling fireplace, it strikes the perfect balance between cozy and lively. But the real reason you come here? The burger. Simply put, it’s phenomenal. A perfectly seared, juicy patty (made from locally sourced beef) topped with melty cheese. It’s messy in the best way possible, with every bite packing an explosion of flavor. Pair it with their crispy triple-cooked chips and a classic old-fashioned, and you’re in food heaven. Service is friendly and unpretentious, and despite its tucked-away location, the place fills up quickly—especially on weekends. If you’re lucky enough to grab a spot, settle in for a relaxed evening of great drinks, excellent food, and an atmosphere that makes you feel right at home. An absolute must-visit for any burger lover.

Amazing place for Sunday roast! P.S. I really enjoyed the place, so I booked a table for tonight as well. I am looking forward to try other positions in your weekly menu😏👌🏼 P.S.S. Quick update on the previous review. Sunday lunch was amazing in terms of food and service. However, Monday shift was really disappointing. We had to wait for our drinks for 30 mins, one of the starters - came frozen inside. My partner asked for lamb dish - and we were told that kitchen ran out of it, however the table next to us received 2 portions even though they came an hour later after us. We got overcharged on a drinks, asked for single shot, got charged for doubles and the drinks had a single shot… the waiter did not pay attention plus seemed like constantly forgetting about our table and orders. Not worth £90 for poor service and a portion on pie with frozen starter.

We recently used this venue for hosting our speed networking london @iwant2network session. Brilliant! A great place for both private meetings and larger business groups. Having used the facility for most of the day I would say that they have some cool quirky areas for just sitting and getting on with some work or perching for the day whilst hosting some clients. Over three floors and we were lucky enough to use their private room on the middle floor. I stayed for some lunch and just as delicious. Really central, and yet close to the Green Park station, and a 15 min stroll to Piccadilly Circus.

Great dinner spot in Mayfair! Annabelle and Will looked after us so well. We went for starters, main, side, dessert and drinks - everything was impeccable! Every dish was amazing, cooked beautifully and also presented beautifully too. The decor is also so cute. Kept the old building style of the pub but made so cosy. Ground floor is a pub, middle floor restaurant and top floor an event space. Situated on a quiet street it's definitely a hidden gem. As there are so many options in Mayfair, this is one definitely not to miss. Great value for money for the high quality of food that's for sure! We will be back! :) thank you for having us.

We ordered the Vegetarian Shepherds Pie and it was VERY spicy! If you like spicy you will enjoy it, but we were a party of four, and we all ordered it. 1 person enjoyed it, but the other 3 of us couldn't eat it because it was just too hot! When the servers came to the table we asked why it didn't say it was spicy on the menu, and they both said "oh yes, it's very spicy, I forgot to mention that to you!" Both servers were very friendly and attentive, but the food was way too spicy to enjoy, so we left without finishing it. I mean I've eaten shepherds pie my whole life and never once have I had to ask "is it spicy?" because it never is usually! Too bad, as it's a nice pub, in a lovely location. If you read your reviews PLEASE add spicy to the details in the dish!

What a disappointment. I was there five years ago and it was amazing. Went there yesterday and it was horrible we got up and left. The pub was recently sold to new management and it is ruined. They had run out of food the old world charm is gone. After being around for over a 100 years I don't think they are going to make it another six months. Looking for a pub experience go elsewhere.

The restaurant will not allow children under 18 after 5 pm and despite multiple correspondence they did not inform me. I even had expressed it was for a birthday dinner with family but not told of policy. They were rude when we showed up and no accommodations were made

Probably the best Scottish egg I've ever had but I'm American so can't say I have had a wide selection. Fish and chips were excellent as well. Service was solid and ambiance was traditional British pub. I would definitely visit again when in Mayfair and try some of their other non-classic pub options.

The atmosphere on the inside is the highlight of the pub. Very classic almost like a countryside pub. Mostly traditional beer options - nothing all that standout in my opinion but admittedly didn't have a ton of beer. Unforutnately, the food and service didn't match the interior. Our waitress was pretty quick at the beginning but then forgot about us toward the end and getting our bill was nigh imossible. The upscale food options also left something to be desired. I went for the thai noodle salad with crispy duck. The duck was tough and far too crispy. The noodles were very oily and would've been better with more seasoning or some peanut sauce. Better for a beer than the food.

Very limited menu and, if you are not dining, there are less than 20 seats for the bar. Did not stay for a pint because it was too crowded at 4pm on a Friday.

Just a great pub, Pandy, The two Ollies run it the way a pub should be run. Total fun! The food is also very good. We had the meat pie special and hamhocks! Perfect. The passion is so clear from the minute you walk in that it sweeps you along and you realize you've been there for much longer that expected. That's when you know you'll come back and back. Thanks fellas for a very good time. Oh, and the history lesson you get from Pandy is worth the whole bill!

This gastropub in Mayfair is often crowded with locals. There is also a restaurant at the back. We went there as a group for drinks. We have to wait to be seated. It's best to get there early.

Another great experience. A year later and second visit to London continued to be wonderful. Sunday roast, beer, wine and service were all wonderful. This pub is very relaxed and friendly environment but is also in a way elegant. This place is not only a romantic outing but where my friends and I could drink beer and talk about how we can "solve all the problems of the world."

I don't think I would have found this pub without looking up pubs in the area as it's on a back street that I had never been to before. Luckily I believe that is true for many other people who seemed to overcrowd the other pubs on the main roads of the area, leaving this little gem with lots of space for me and my boyfriend to find a table. The interior is quite dark, with wooden decor and enough light to create a nice atmosphere but not light up the room. There was a good selection of beers and the staff were very polite. The treatment from them was more like something you'd expect at a restaurant (someone to greet you and find you a seat) and they even brought the drinks to our table because they had to change the barrel and they didn't want to us to stand waiting at the bar. They also asked us if everything was all right and said good night at the end. I must say, after all the pubs and bars I've been to where you wait ages to get served and the staff are too busy to notice anyone this was a welcome change. I think it's a great place for a group or a couple of people to go have some quiet drinks and catch up when they don't want a big night out but still want to be somewhere central. Definitely a good find and I'd be happy to go back.

Upstairs room - delightful spot for a lunch. Good atmosphere, great service. Easy going place too. Decent sandwiches.

A good pub. We stopped by when the Footman down the street had their kitchen closed. Positives are the experience. Its a very well presented, maintained, lovely old pub, right in Mayfair just steps from Berkeley Square. The food is good. My wife thoroughly enjoyed her bangers and mash. It was one of the best sausages I've ever tasted. Except my fish and chips. The fish has skin on it. Now I dont know if that is just a 'style' or tradition in these parts, but I generally do not like to see or eat a silvery fish skin or pick my fish apart to avoid it as I cut into the batter, so my fish was left mostly uneaten as a result. That being said, the chips and mushy peas were made from scratch and delicious.

Punchbowl was a 5-7 minute walk from our hotel, it is situated on a residential street, and upon entering, it was buzzing with the happy hour investment banker/lawyers/suits crowd. It's definitely more upscale than your regular neighbourhood pub. We went upstairs for dinner - dining room was nicely decorated in cream and gold with interesting art. We ordered: 1. Avocado, chilli & lime on sourdough: I was craving avocado on bread and this definitely hit the spot for me. It also came with radish slices and was a good starter. 2. The Punchbowl pie of the day & seasonal vegetables: The pie was similar to Shepherd's Pie with mash topping with hadodck and cod and a side of peas. Pie was delicious and rich and definitely comfort food. 3. Market fish and chips, crushed peas & tartare sauce: the size of the cod was so large it hung off the plate! I could tell that they used fresh oil and it was battered perfectly. Chips were crispy on the outside, slightly soft on the inside. Service was friendly without being too intruding. BTW, be careful when going upstairs to the loo - the stairs are creaky and very steep, a deadly combination when you've had a pint (or 5) too many.

This very British classic pub , with a friendly and cozy vibe was what we were looking for after a few hours of sightseeing and walking in the cold. Lots of locals and business types frequent it. The food was traditional pub fare with generous portions.

We received a recommendation for The Punchbowl from our hotel's concierge. Given that we were staying right off of Oxford The Punchbowl was the perfect reprieve from the tourist trap restaurants in the immediate vicinity of our hotel. The restaurant itself was an easy 5-10 minute walk from our Grosvenor Square hotel. Comfortable and non-pretentious ambiance. We were promptly greeted at the door and seated towards the back of the dining area. Even as the bar area grew busy throughout our meal it was easy to hear our own conversation. On to the food. We started with the mini mezze. It was a bountiful amount for a starter shared between two. Very delicious. We shared a bottle of Finca Lorosco merlot. My husband is far from a wine connoisseur and said that he enjoyed it very much. I agreed. For our main course we both decided on the aged ribeye and chips. Both of our steaks were cooked to a perfect medium rare, as ordered. The chips were light and crunchy. Perfectly seasoned. We also ate at Maze Grill by Gordon Ramsay during our visit and The Punchbowl wins for the better steak between the two restaurants. For dessert my husband ordered the apple crumble with ice cream. The crumble came out very warm and the ice cream was melting slowly over the top. He said that it was very delicious. As I was very full from my meal I opted for an espresso martini. Very delicious. It seems like most gastro pub options in the area are simply tourist traps with slightly better than fast food quality. I'm happy to report that The Punchbowl doesn't fall in that category. It is a wonderful place to eat REAL food prepared by people that know exactly what they're doing in the kitchen. Take the time to walk a few blocks away from the tourist traps and give this place a try. You'll be glad that you.

The bottom line: Upmarket pub grub in a cosy, welcoming setting. As my parents were due a visit, I thought it'd be nice for me to treat *them* for a change (as usually, it's definitely the other way round. The student in me lives on). Although the dining area wasn't open, it being a quiet Sunday night meant that our dining experience was pretty chilled out rather than a noisy pub atmosphere. The whole decor is lovely - with a bit of a nautical theme including pictures of ships and porthole windows in the bathrooms. The staff were very warm and attentive, and brought over a complimentary bottle of Pinot Grigio. Which, uh, I think I drank most of. Whoops... Although The Punchbowl is a pub, their food is certainly a tad fancier than the usual pub grub fayre . A few of the menu options were unfortunately out of stock after a busy Sunday but we all managed to pick a starter option that tickled our fancy - and I chose the Cider Braised Linconlshire Rabbit, Baby Leek and Hock Terrine. And it was brilliant. I've never had rabbit before, and if it's anything this good, I'll definitely be choosing it again. With a light but still plenty meaty taste, it was complemented perfectly by the Celeriac and Apple Slaw. This, pubs of London, is how you do a starter. For my main, I went classic and had a juicy slab o' steak with triple cooked chips and a bearnaise sauce. I loved the steak and it was cooked brilliantly - but the chips just outshone EVERYTHING, for reals. So crispy on the outside and soft, fluffy and wonderful on the inside. And absolutely perfect for dipping in the bearnaise sauce. Yuuum. My parents both had some roast lamb, which looked lovely - and I'm pleased to report that they definitely very much enjoyed their Punchbowl Sunday roasts. For dessert, I chose the Baileys Cheesecake and Raspberry Sorbet - and got a bit of a surprise when it arrived at my table. Rather than having cheese atop a biscuit base, it was actually a 'deconstructed' cheesecake with the biscuit to one side with the raspberry sorbet. Although it was an enjoyable taste, I felt like the consistency was quite thick and heavy and would have worked better with an actual biscuit base. The biscuit itself tasted fantastic, and I felt like there could have been a bit more on the plate to go with the cheesecake topping. I did REALLY enjoy the raspberry sorbet though - perfectly tangy and fruity. The Punchbowl is probably a little bit out of my usual price range - but for a special treat on a busy weekend, it offers the perfect mix of cosy pub atmosphere and fantastic food. If you want to be served great dishes but don't fancy dressing up and heading to a posh city restaurant, this tucked-away gem is the perfect place to relax after a busy day exploring London.

Nice establishment! I was told Guy Ritchie was a previous owner of this bar. It was a cozy escape from the chilly temperatures the rain brought upon us. We ordered cider beers & I'm really surprised I gravitated to the orange cider. I initially assumed the beer would be foul tasting but I was wrong! Later we had a laugh with the manager & other bar patrons by comparing notes with the manager on British sarcasm vs. American sarcasm. When it was time to close up shop, we hadn't finished our beers & the bar manager let us take the bottle home.

Love this Pub, really good food & atmosphere! The Shepherds Pie and Fish & Chips were wonderful!! LONDON!

We love this place so much. The staff was super friendly and very helpful. We were there on our first day of our trip to London and loved it so much we had to go back on our last day for one more round of drinks and some amazing food. Everything we tried there on both occasions exceeded our expectations and the price was very reasonable. If you are visiting London or live in the city, make sure you stop by!!

We visited The Punch Bowl for an after-dinner drink on the recommendation of the cabbie who drove us to the area. It was built in the 1750s and was exactly what I thought a British pub would look like, dark with lots of wood and a fireplace, but it turns out it's even more famous for being "Guy Ritchie's pub." The bartender was really friendly and they had a great selection of beers and ciders. I had a delicious pale ale and my husband said it was the best pour of Guiness he's ever had. We visited several pubs in London, but this one was more memorable than most.

If it weren't chilly inside the restaurant, this would have gotten 5 stars!!! We had the butternut squash chestnut soup to start which was served with two delicious pieces of bread and came served steaming hot! Then the fish and chips which was served with a big portion of fries - seasoned perfectly (hardly any salt)! The fish was fresh and cooked just right. We also had the special chicken and mushroom pie served in a crock topped with a philo dough wafer - it was such an amazing dish for a cold rainy wet London day!

We loved this place! The food was really good (try the burger), and the people were super friendly. Our waiter/manager took a walk down the street with us after dinner to tell us about the history of the area! Definitely check it out!!

Have been to The punchbowl twice now and each time have enjoyed a relaxing afternoon pint or three. The location(in the middle of Mayfair) means that you really have to search it out.This keeps the crowds down and the drunken Wetherspoons types away. The pub interior is nothing special,you could really be in a rustic country pub anywhere in england.The only thing that makes you realise you're in Mayfair are the prices. Well worth a visit if you're in the area.

A nice quaint old fashioned type style pub. I liked the atmosphere in the pub and the quick bite food that we had which was goats cheese balls and monkfish was quite nice. I highly recommend if you want a pint in a relaxed environment and a bite to eat.

Posh posh posh poshy posh posh. But, none the less, pretty good. Decent Deuchars on tap, and a menu that, while pricey, was fairly impressive. Their copy is hilarious, but I couldn't argue with the bangers and mash. Brighters' crab dish, was very very crabby, and the fish and chips (coley) was huge. The Essex girls trying it on with the local billionaires added to the ambiance. Class.

Great pub situated in the heart of Mayfair if your in the mood for a pint it a bite to eat, staff very welcoming and had a friendly atmosphere, would go back again if in the area

HANDS DOWN MY FAVORITE PUB IN LONDON IN MY FAVORITE NEIGHBORHOOD! Love the food, the service and the ambiance. I got sausages here that were to die for. I am definitely coming back for one of their Sunday roasts!

Irish pub- typical Irish cuisine lots of fun... Great service and thanks for the reservation suggestion as it fills up quickly. I liked that the crowd was a little older..music Fri, Sat and Sun.

Frankly the dining options outside of a hotel (very nice ones I might add) in Mayfair are "ok" but not plentiful. Well...be sure to add Punchbowl to your list. Want a pub...check. Want something nicer...just go upstairs and, check. Upstairs, A menu just enough to cover a few moods, and deliver on those items perfectly. Very friendly service...throughout. Really love this place...

Punchbowl is a mid-neighborhood pub, tucked back into a fairly high end residential area. Only one in the immediate area, which makes it kind of cool. Definitely packed when we showed up, and didn't really die down at all during the evening. Clearly a very popular place to grab a pint. In part the place was crowded because of the setup and the fact that many tables had reservation signs on them - many of them stayed empty the 3 hours we hung out. We did end up with a little bit of food as well - some of our group thought it was excellent, others average. It sounded like the fish (don't remember which one), was a good choice. I'd say - good spot, but be prepared for lots of people, and slightly upscale food for a pub. Not great value, but an off-the-beaten path place to get a good pint!

Really delicious dinner and loved the pub atmosphere. The wines are great as well as the beers. Fish pie is like a curry fish stew, in a good way. Fish cakes are a bit salty but generally good.

This place is a cute little pub but is pretty much the same as any other pub in london. Its quaint, its little and cramped, has beer. Enough said. I think people only make the trek here because Guy Ritchie owns it and is rumored to occasionally have a drink there. Bottomline: I wasn't that impressed. If i lived in the area I might frequent it for an after work drink, but its not worth my travels.

Knowing that this was Madonna and Guy's place, when I first visited the Punchbowl I was surprised to find such a cosy, twee and average English pub. Maybe I'd expected Madonna to have hung up a few of those Jean Paul Gaultier bra's behind the bar or to see a spinning disco ball here or there. Worse still what if there was a jukebox with Madonna playing on loop and a ballet pole across the back wall with the lady herself doing stretches across it. Eeeeeeewwwww! None of this here though, instead a very nice, warm pub with a great selection of ales and wines. I'm told it's a great place to visit at night when bands play live music here but I'm yet to witness this myself. What I have witnessed though are the staggering prices. £6.50 is fairly average for a glass of wine and you'll easily spend just shy of a fiver on a pint. For a pub that initially seems so welcoming and warm this can take you by surprise but remember we're in Mayfair here. It's not royal blue on the Monopoly board for nothing! Personally though this spoilt the 'local' and cosy feel to the place and what had at first seemed like a great pub was ruined by its overpriced drinks...

It's recently emerged that Guy will get to keep the pub (hurray) - so even more reason to patronise it. Not that I don't like Madonna... but I'd say GR has had a tough 7 years. Despite rumours of a biased pricing system (ie non-regulars having to pay more), The Punchbowl is a pretty laid-back establishment and an atmospheric spot to have a drink (with well-dressed types) if you happen to be near this quiet Mayfair street. Also, with no further prospects of a Madge sighting, perhaps the tourist element will dwindle a bit...

Dining room was excellent! Great fish and chips, and the ambiance was incredible, both upstairs and down!

Tucked away in the back streets of Mayfair, this charming pub feels more like the English countryside than central London. The building is apparently from the 1750s; and although it's owned by Guy Ritchie, it's barely updated. The wooden floors upstairs have holes, where light from below shines through. Charming. They have live music, and the crowd is full of spirit. I can't speak for the food, but it's worth a trip for a drink.

Love the bar area. Feels like a true local spot. Great part of town. Food was 3 stars but atmosphere made up for it. Would definitely come back here for happy hour or after work drinks rather than dinner.

It was ok, just ok. Cute view of it from the outside as I had been taking pictures of pubs we had been to for a large picture for our wall, but nothing special inside. The service was just ok. But it's traditional in London that you walk into a pub, place your order at the bar, pay, take your drinks to your table, and someone will bring you your food. I honestly wish they would tip the waitstaff in these pubs because there's no incentive to do a good job, clean the table,or even ask if you need anything. They ask you when they plop the good in front of you and then--whoosh! They're gone forever. It's an "eh!". Don't go out of your way for it.

I have to say, I like this place. I was skeptical since it's Guy Ritchie's place and in uber expensive Mayfair but yup it's a cute pub (maybe a bit too small) that although a bit more expensive than your average english pub is not that bad. There's a dining room upstairs and in the back downstairs, haven't tried it yet but at some point I will. I kind of liked that it was packed and there were lots of people there trying to see if anyone around them was a celebrity, give it an interesting buzz. I don't normally seek out celeb hangout spots (oh lord Bijou no) but this is one where I could easily see myself hanging out, kicking back a few pints and if I so happen to be chatting it up with who knows who from what's that show, well good for us!

This was a good way to start my evening. However, is everyone in London an investment banker? Seriously I think I met about 20 of them here last night! The punchbowl was a great English pub, small and traditional. It's also a great location, tucked into the back streets of Mayfair, which meant we were about the only tourists there. To be honest, the only reason I went is because Guy Ritchie owns it, but I was really pleasantly surprised by what I found. Oh, and apparently one of the bar tenders is Piers Morgan's brother. Crazy?!?! The next time I'm in London I will certainly be back here.

Some friends recommended us to here and we were not disappointed! Classic pub feel with great food!

I was traveling with my family in London and on our last day in the city we really wanted to try a proper English pub. Punchbowl fit the bill! The restaurant was crowded and did not have a table for my family of five so we sat at the bar. This provided us with the opportunity to chat with the amazing bartender, Richard the majority of the meal. He was so friendly and a truly wonderful bartender. The food was delicious and it was one of our most memorable experiences of the trip! This is a do not miss!

Staff very friendly,drinks good,food awful-may be ok for lunch if you like a huge plate of overdone lamb,Yorkshire pudding a potatoes!definitely not for dinner

I walked in and found there's no host so I asked the bartender for a table and just when I thought I was sensing pretentious snottiness, he seated us promptly and professionally. In fact the entire staff was lovely and I LOVED that I didn't need to search for my server all night- any staff at any level was happy to handle our any/every request. I can't say enough how much I love that. It's a lesson for EVERY other restaurant on the planet. My girl's bangers and mash was excellent. The meat was so flavorful I could have come back the next day for it. Unfortunately the gravy was too salty. My lamb dish looked gorgeous but was so fatty and endlessly chewy- stay away from it! My house beer was devoid of flavor but was a safe choice none the less. Her merlot was fine. Our sticky toffee dessert (something like that) was smashing. The pub's oh so english, the staff's wonderful, and the food is good (but not superb). I would return and recommend the place. It was a very enjoyable meal, even if my girl had to sit there all night listening to me trying to figure out who was famous.

We ended up at this pub at the end of a tour. It is tucked away in Mayfair. I don't think you would just stumble on this. This pub is your classic English pub. Wooden interior with a really rustic feel. The pub is split into two sections one for food one for the bar. We had dinner here and were kindly taken to a booth table with could easily fit 6 adults. It was nice as it was intimate and quiet. We all ordered burgers which came with French fries. The hamburger was yummy as were the fries. Not the best meal I have had but good. The service was friendly.. Prices were not bad.

There are a lot of high ratings but I feel this place is coasting on it's history as having been founded in the 1750s and once owned by Maddona & Ritchie. It is now owned by a "boutique" chain and the food, drinks and service reflect that. Other than the decor it might as well be a cafeteria.

I've been to the Punch Bowl twice now, once just for drinks and the other for dinner. Overall, I'd say this place is highly forgettable and not worth your money. Drinks are standard and fine, but overpriced. You can find the exact same brews down the road without the arbitrary premium upcharge. The food was mediocre at best. They had a small but good selection on the menu. The items were pricier than a regular pub but seemed a bit more upmarket so it was fine. I opted for a trout starter and a side of broccoli while my friends got the steak tartare and the fish and chips. Everything was pretty bland and I could have made a more inventive meal myself. Given the price tag, I highly regret eating there. The service was fine, but nothing to write home about. Overall, the pub is cozy and homey with a post-work banking clientele (as one person put it "hedge fund central"). If that's not your scene, I wouldn't bother with this place. There are too many pubs in London with better food at cheaper prices to trek all the way to this place.

There is no doubt that the Punchbowl was probably more loved by Mr Madonna rather than herself as it comes across as very British and quite twee. Attracting a somewhat more mature crowd with bad suits and paunches, this is not going to appeal to Madonna's more outrageous fans so they should steer clear. As a pub it is fairly decent. It does nothing wrong, the staff and service are good and the range of ales etc should appeal to most. Saying that it's hardly a riot so will only really appeal to those working nearby rather than those looking for a good place to start a night out.

Great food (would recommend the chicken pie), expensive wine, pissed toffs in suits. Great place to settle down for a slow and steady evening, although anticipate lots of rubbernecking en route to the loos looking for an uber-celeb hiding in one of the numerous nooks. Clientele appears to be entirely comprised of increasingly (as the night wears on) lecherous blokes in suits. Staff very friendly and helpful; last nights elderly male/young female tag-team behind the bar were faultlessly lovely. Been there before, would definitely go there again even though it is rather out of the way and you have to walk past numerous similar-looking pubs to get there.

I'm giving The PunchBowl 2 stars for the decent food they serve. I've been to the PunchBowl twice. First time I thought it was alright with decent food. Then I went back this past Friday with my newly wed friends for a lil rendez-vous celebratory drinks. We were sitting by the bar, having a good time, the couple started doing matching zombie faces so I took a picture of them with my phone and said that should be their new "wedding photo" on facebook. So we were all laughing out loud when suddenly I felt a hand on my back and a piece of paper shoved in my face. At the corner of my eye I saw a short old man emerged from my peripheral vision. He pointed at the bottom of the piece of paper that was still in my face. I couldn't read what that font size 8 sentence was saying as it was 2 inches away from my nose, and he said, "you can't take pictures in here." He really could've just approached me from the front and informed me straight in my face that "sorry lady, you can't take pictures in here." And I would've apologized because I was unaware of the rule (there was no no-photo sign in the pub anywhere). Instead he took the rude way out and decided to shove a menu (or whatever that piece of paper was) in my face?! His explanation was even more arrogant, "we have very high profile people here and sometimes they may be with people whom they don't want to be seen with." my respond was, "um... I'm not from here and I probably wouldn't recognize any of the high profile people from your little island." Anyway, I have no idea what that little man's problem was. But I think if they really want to enforce whatever pub rule they have they need more conspicuous signage around. And stop asking that little old man to shove pieces of paper into people's face.