'Down to Earth' pub that 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 at the back of Lime Street, The Punch and Judy pub welcomed generations from the city and beyond. Many will remember its mock-Tudor style exterior and unusual layout with no less than three front doors.

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

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Nearby, a Punch and Judy café also used to reside outside Lime Street 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, a number of people were arrested but there are no reports of any criminal charges being pursued. The building was so badly damaged that it was later demolished.

In a previous ECHO story on lost Liverpool pubs, Heisspartacus said in the comments: "I miss the Punch and Judy, [a] great place to meet up before the match, cheap as chips but had the worst toilets I’ve ever seen."

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

It seems there was consensus on the toilets not being the pub's best feature. On review site Yelp, commenter Hex P said: "The toilets are very small and dark, You have to hold the door shut, and there was no bog roll and they smelt 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 bit of a throwback to the dark ages and the main problem is that if you're an outsider you are made to feel exactly this way."

Dave L recommended giving the Punch and Judy a wide berth. He said: "Just like most of the drinking holes standing in this grim area of town, the Punch and Judy is a shabby affair with customers you wouldn't want to get on the wrong side of. If you fancy a drink in a place that doesn't resemble Moe's Tavern, try the Crown down the road."

However, the pub's lack of pretence to be anything other than it was, as well as cheap prices, was a redeeming feature for some. One reviewer in 2008 said: "This is a pub that seemingly runs 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 that they have forgotten to adjust the prices - a pint for £1.20!"

Adding: "Lots of people call at the start of a night out for a few cheap ones and why not. You'll also see an array of characters so do give it a visit as the beer is good and the staff are friendly.

"This pub has no pretentions, it's a down to earth boozer and it even has a its own café and its own chippy. The 4 stars are because this pub does what it says on the tin - cheap beer and a good atmosphere."

While another reviewer commented: "The "punch" as its locally known, does not purport to be anything but a boozer. Not a place for snobs, or real ale junkies. I always get a decent pint of Guinness there at a price well below that of the more sophisticated pubs."

Whatever opinions there are about the Punch and Judy, there's no doubt its loss changed the face and culture of this part of the city centre while Lime Street continues to see considerable regeneration. The site the pub occupied now forms part of a mixed-use scheme consisting of student accommodation, hotel and retail and leisure units.

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