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A well-known institution in lower Fleet Street which could easily be missed were it not for Mr Punch outside. Grade II listed.
Historic Interest
Grade II lisiting Public House, with offices over. Rebuilt in two phases by Saville and Martin, first the main part of the pub and the Fleet Street frontage in 1894-5 and then the Bride Lane frontage with a Luncheon Bar behind in 1896- 7. These works carried out for W. R. Baker. Red brick in mixed bonds with stone dressings; polished granite and glazed terracotta to the ground floor. Hipped roof of slate. Four storeys and dormers over basement. Four-window range; angled corner window range and one-window range to Bride Lane. Included behind is the three storey-plus-attics, four-window range to rear in a similar style. All openings flat arched. Jacobean revival style. Entrance flanked by faience pilasters topped by lintels bearing the name in original script on a. ~ banner; lamp bracket and sign. Entrance with overlights to upper floors to the right of the corner range. Dentil cornice to ground floor. Window ranges one to three on upper floors treated as symmetrical elevation with the centre windows projecting slightly and given strapwork embellishments, which are repeated to the sides in much simpler forms; embellished range topped by Dutch-gable dormer. Recessed join between third and fourth window ranges, the latter embellished with aedicule. Corner range identical to simpler ranges in the main elevation. Upper floor windows lighting stairs above second entrance arranged in two tiers and each with two lights, stone mullions, and characteristic Jacobean ornaments. Ground floor of three-storey extension to rear is taken up by polished granite and wood front of public house. Entrance vestibule: bright tile work with etched mirrors, doors of original design. Interior features of note: just inside entrance a barrel vaulted skylight; skylight over bar; wall panelling and much of bar of original design; acanthus frieze and dentil cornice to walls and floor beams; ceiling divided into panels by acanthus scrolls and garlands. The previous building on the site was known as the "Crown and Sugar Loaf' but was renamed the "Punch Tavern" in the late 1840s because of its association with Punch Magazine which had its offices at that end of Fleet Street. Saville and Martin designed the better-known "Tottenham" in Oxford Street.
Two star - A pub interior of very special national historic interest
Listed status: II
This pub has the most stunning entranceway with canvass paintings and delightful tiling and mirrors.
A well-known institution in lower Fleet Street. It could easily be missed were it not for Mr Punch outside and lavish tiling to the entrance as it lies up a corridor behind a couple of shop fronts. The pub is part of a block built in 1894-7 by architects Saville & Martin and at one time also incorporated the pub round the corner in Bride Lane, the Crown & Sugar Loaf. The entrance corridor is unlike anything else in a London pub and has extensive tiling, a mosaic floor, mirrors and, either side of the inner doors, large canvas paintings of a very sinister looking Mr and Mrs Punch (signed by W B Simpson’s who were no doubt responsible for the whole decorative scheme).
Inside there has been a good deal of rearrangement and refitting and it is now impossible to work out exactly how things might have been. The fixed seating on the left-hand side seems original and the lovely etched main panels in the bar-back also no doubt date from 1894. But the collection of glass in the lower part of the bar-back looks more modern, and in 2004 Samuel Smith's added both the mirrors on the left hand wall and the marble counter top. The two skylights in this room add much to its character.
The rear room was a bookshop until the 1990s and was brought into use after the Punch Tavern separated from what is now the Crown & Sugar Loaf. Here the Yorkshire brewer, Samuel Smith has recreated a fabulous Victorian-style interior in modern times.
A well-known institution in lower Fleet Street (but avoid frenetic weekday lunchtimes when you are more or less expected to buy food). It could easily be missed were it not for Mr Punch outside and lavish tiling to the entrance as it lies up a corridor behind a couple of shop fronts. The pub is part of a block built in 1894-7 by architects Saville & Martin and at one time also incorporated the pub round the corner in Bride Lane, the Crown & Sugar Loaf. The entrance corridor is unlike anything else in a London pub and has extensive tiling, a mosaic floor, mirrors and, either side of the inner doors, large canvas paintings of a very sinister looking Mr and Mrs Punch (signed by W B Simpson’s who were no doubt responsible for the whole decorative scheme).
Inside there has been a good deal of rearrangement and refitting and it is now impossible to work out exactly how things might have been. The fixed seating on the left-hand side seems original and the lovely etched main panels in the bar-back also no doubt date from 1894. But the collection of glass in the lower part of the bar-back has clearly been shuffled. The two skylights in this room add much to its character.
The rear room was a bookshop until the 1990s and was brought into use after the Punch separated from what is now the Crown & Sugar Loaf. Here the Yorkshire brewer, Samuel Smith has recreated a fabulous Victorian-style interior in modern times. They brought the pub back to life in June 2004 with a stunning display of etched and cut mirrors, carved woodwork, a marble counter and lovely mosaic floor. The decorated ceiling is the only original Victorian feature but no matter – the whole thing is done with such fantastic panache.
This Pub serves 3 changing beers and 0 regular beers.
Punch Tavern, London
Changing beers typically include: Dark Star - Hophead , Sambrook's - Junction , Sambrook's - Wandle
Lunchtime Meals
Evening Meals
Function Room
Restaurant
Real Ale
Real Heritage Pub
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