‘Down to Earth’ pub which was a ‘throwback to the dark ages’

A lost Liverpool pub remembered for being “down to earth” was a “throwback to the dark ages”.

Located on Bolton Street, behind Lime Street, The Punch and Judy pub has welcomed generations from the city and beyond. Many will remember the Tudor-style exterior and unusual appearance with no less than three front doors.

A familiar sight in the town for years, a pub is believed to have occupied the same site since 1726. The pub is thought to have taken its name from the regular Punch and Judy shows that were staged by Lime Street Station from May many generations of the Codman Family until the late 1950s, the ECHO previously reported.

READ MORE:

READ MORE: ‘One of the most picturesque cities in Europe’ you can fly to from Liverpool for £62

Nearby, a Punch and Judy cafe also resided outside Lime Street Station. But over a decade ago, in 2012, life at the historic pub changed forever.

On June 28 that year, an explosion rocked the pub in the early hours, causing the roof to collapse and fire to spread through the building. People were evacuated from nearby buildings as a precaution and Bolton Street was cordoned off as a crime scene.

Following the fire, several people were arrested, but there are no reports of prosecution. The building was so badly damaged that it was later demolished.

In an earlier ECHO story about Liverpool’s lost pubs, Heisspartacus said in the comments: “I miss Punch and Judy, (a) great pre-match hangout, cheap as chips but had the worst toilets I have ever seen. ”

What are your memories of the pub over the years? Let us know in the comments section below.

There seems to have been a consensus that the toilets are not the pub’s best feature. On review site Yelp, reviewer Hex P said: “The toilets are very small and dark, you have to keep the door closed and there was no swamp rolling and they smelled a bit,” but added: “The bar staff are friendly and they serve you quickly The drink is cheap and the bar is well stocked.”

Liam M’s review wasn’t exactly glowing. He commented, “Inside the place is dark and feels like a throwback to the dark ages, and the main problem is that if you’re a foreigner, you’re made to feel that way.”

Dave L recommended giving Punch and Judy a wide range. He said: “Like most of the drinking holes that dot this seedy part of town, Punch and Judy is a seedy affair with customers you wouldn’t want to get on the wrong side of. If you like a drink in a place. this is nothing like Moe’s Tavern, try Crown next.”

However, the pub’s lack of pretense to be anything other than what it was, as well as its cheap prices, was a redeeming feature for some. A reviewer from 2008 said: “This is a pub that seems to stretch the length of the street and has three front doors in a row! For you historians there has been a pub on this site since 1726 and I think they forgot to adjust. prices – a pint for £1.20!”

Adding: “Many people call at the start of an outing for a few cheap ones and why not. You’ll also see a host of characters so give it a visit as the beer is good and the staff are friendly.

“This pub is unpretentious, down to earth boozer and even has its own cafe and chippy. The 4 stars is because this pub does what it says on the tin – cheap beer and a good atmosphere.”

While another reviewer commented: “’Punch’, as it is known locally, does not pretend to be anything other than a drink. Not a place for snobs or real ale lovers. I always get a decent pint of Guinness there for a much lower price. that of more sophisticated pubs”.

Whatever one thinks of Punch and Judy, there is no doubt that its loss has changed the face and culture of this part of the city center as Lime Street continues to see considerable regeneration. The site the pub occupied is now part of a mixed-use scheme consisting of student accommodation, hotels and retail and leisure units.

Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here