Secret Drinker reviews The Punchbowl in Spalding
“I’ll be wi’ya in a minute, duck,” came the shout from the lady coaxing the regulars to stick some change into her pint glass.
As the punters jovially parted with their shrapnel she ticked their names off on a clipboard.
I instantly knew I was going to like The Punchbow in Spalding, as I tend to any boozer that organises these little fundraisers or meat raffles or jolly boys’ outings.
You can’t organise these little community things without an established sense of community.
And it’s the places with this sense of community that always welcome a stranger into their circle without hesitation.
“Don’t worry about her, mate. She’s not always this slow,” said a bloke with a laugh as he joined the queue behind me, teasing the barmaid - now back with a glass full of coins - as my Guinness wouldn’t settle.
“You know what they say about Guinness…?” he added with a dramatic pause.
‘The best things come to those who wait’, my inner monologue reeled off.
“Patience!” continued my new pal, with the kid of comic timing that made me expect he was about to say ‘Gandhi, he only made one good movie’.
“Hurry up then,” came another voice, joining the queue, empty glass in hand.
The black stuff was being difficult so the guy behind me was now being served, two Carlsbergs poured into two Carlsberg glasses.
That was until it was pointed out who the second pint was for and it was instantly tipped into a Stella glass as was his preference.
I love these little dramatic quirks you get from regulars. I knew a man who insisted on always having three ice cubes in his Guinness, much to the annoyance of the now dearly departed landlord who had to serve him every night.
Thankfully, I wasn’t as picky and - with a soundtrack of Onyx’s Throw Ya Gunz (thanks Shazam) playing from the speakers - I collected my drink to explore… making sure I dodged the cobwebs.
Before you get the wrong impression, it’s October and the Halloween decorations were up. I promise you, The Punchbowl was nice and clean.
I opted for Guinness because, although there was plenty of choice at the bar, the choice was a little samey, if you catch my drift.
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As the A-board outside proudly showed - advertising Carlsberg £2.95, Foster’s £3.25, Stella £4.10, Moretti £4.80 and Strongbow £2.55 - this was a drinker’s pub for people who enjoy certain types of drink.
But there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. The two tables of regulars by the bar - turning the air blue with the kind of delightfully honest ribbing that would make a navvy blush - didn’t look bothered about what CAMRA would think of them.
They were too busy having the time of their lives. And it was only lunch.
The Punchbowl, tucked away behind the stream of parked cars on Spalding’s New Road, in a town where far too many pubs stand empty these days, is deceptively large, as is the beer garden to the rear.
With its patterned carpet, dart boards dotted about, big screens showing the sports and pool table gave the place a real estate pub feel, while a bit of banter around the place always makes a pub feel alive.
The skeletons were hanging from the wall, but the Punch Bowl was anything but dead.
THE PUNCHBOWL, NEW ROAD, SPALDING, PE11 1DN
DECOR: It’s got a real estate pub feel. It’s a nice, well-lit place with plenty of comfy seats, big screens and the rest to keep you occupied. 3/5
DRINK: A pint of Guinness (ABV 4.2%). Nothing new to write home about. 3/5
PRICE: At £3.95 I was pleasantly surprised. And with lager starting at £2.95 and cider at £2.55 you can get a competitively-priced pint here. 4/5
ATMOSPHERE: A cracking, lively, banter-filled room made me feel welcome instantly. Plenty of laughs at the place. 4/5
STAFF: The barmaid actually came over to me to apologise for the time it took my drink to settle. Totally unnecessary but a nice touch from someone who clearly had a way with the punters. 4/5
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Do you agree with the secret drinker or have any suggestions where he should go next? Where is your favourite beer garden? Email secretdrinker@lincsonline.co.uk or comment below.