The Punch and Judy is slap bang in the middle of the Covent Garden Piazza, spread over two floors it's a pretty standard bar that's lent charm by its location.

The Venue
Spread over two floors, Punch and Judy offers views of both the inside of the marketplace (on the lower floor) and the outside of the square (from the balcony). The lower level (actually in the marketplace itself) with an outside seating area (or rather an indoor beer garden) was originally an old wine cellar. The low ceilings and dramatic arches are enhanced by flickering candles and framed black and white pictures of late nineteenth century London.

Upstairs, the balcony offers a great view over Covent Garden Piazza. With its appropriately nostalgic name, the Punch and Judy sits perfectly inside the dolls' house-like features of the quadrangle of Covent Garden Market offering a sanctuary from the hoards of shoppers and strollers outside.

The Atmosphere
The only disadvantages are that even though the bar at the cellar level is an unexpectedly good size with plenty of bar staff ready to attend, at lunchtime the bar is always packed. Stuffed full of shoppers, tourists and local office workers, in summer you'll need to sharpen your elbows if you want to sit at an outside table. However, the staff are quick to clear up after previous customers and turnover of tables is quick. In fact, staff are so keen to please that they'll even talk to tourists in their first language if they can.

The Food
Offering attentive service and a vast selection of traditional pub grub, dishes range from ham, egg and chips to salmon pie. There are also daily specials and salads, starters and sandwiches which are popular with the lunchtime crowd. The food is solidly consistent, it's not cordon bleu but then neither are the prices.

The Drink
The wine list is just as extensive as the food offering a choice of whites, reds, roses and sparkling wines. This is no swanky cocktail bar, in fact there aren't any, but it does have a good range of beer on tap.

The Last Word
Although this pub could be all too easily missed it really is a find for those who happen to stumble across it. Punch and Judy is a traditional olde worlde pub more than able to stand its ground against the continual onslaught of the surrounding Continental style cafe bars.

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