Punch Room

500 Channelside Dr, Tampa
(813) 771-8022

Recent Reviews

larry K

$30 a drink. Slow and inattentive service. Cocktails are mid at best. The jaw is your best bet for high end spots.This place is overpriced simply to be overpriced.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

BethanyL

Such a wonderful evening, and the staff was wonderful! This was truly a unique experience with a wonderful menu and selection of rare drinks at an acceptable price point. The way the staff interacted with us and ensured we not only had a wonderful evening but had options for the entire weekend to enjoy while visiting.

I was really looking forward to visiting this lounge but came away somewhat disappointed. The service and ambiance was outstanding but the Ziggy Punch I ordered was not good and was sent back. The replacement drink I received was ok but definitely not worth the price paid.

Stephanie5

It has a speakeasy feel, with an excellent cocktail selection. The service was good and would go back! Drinks are pricey, but that is the price for going out in the new “trendy” areas.

Alexis Chamberlain

I was really excited to take my husband to Punch Room but left highly disappointed. While the atmosphere is top notch and a place I'd consider a hidden gem off just the decor alone, the service was absolutely horrendous. The hostess was very nice and allowed us to choose our seat since it wasn't crowded (our reservation was at 7pm which is early for them and considered "breakfast" - apparently they start getting busy with lines out the door around 11pm according to a server we overheard telling the table next to us). There were probably about three or four other groups/couples there and after we sat, it took about 20 mins or so to even be acknowledged - to the point that my husband asked me if we had to go up to the bar to order. Our server, whose name we never learned (tall, thin, with dark short hair) asked what type of water we wanted and then brought us two small cups of a welcome drink from a punch bowl (no idea what it was because she gave zero info). We ordered our drinks (the same drink because we assumed it would come together in a bowl because it was from pages I later learned were the "bowl menu"). The bartender brought over our drink in two separate glasses and we were a bit confused since we thought it would come in a bowl to share. When we were finally able to flag down our server, my husband said he thought we would have gotten our punch in a bowl and she apologized and said "do you want me to pour them into a two-person punch bowl so you can have that experience?" (meanwhile, our drinks were like half drank at this point.) It was extremely awkward and then she offered to bring us a bar snack which was a bowl of wasabi cashews. We finished our drinks and nobody came to our table for about 40 mins or so. We heard the server explain to the table next to us that the first few pages of the menu (where we ordered our drinks from) came in punch bowls, and he offered some info on the punch they ordered. We finally flagged down the bartender to get our check and my husband said he hadn't seen our waitress in a while - the bartender replied she was on break (weird since they open at 7 and it was probably 8:15 by that point...). We left disappointed and with a $75 check (two drinks in cocktail glasses, a bottle of sparkling water and tip) before going to Azure which was an exponentially better experience. I would love to go back and bring friends because we seriously loved the atmosphere so much and think it could be such a wonderful experience if they had friendlier and more attentive, and informative staff. But in the meantime, save your money and go to Azure or Lilac. :)

Atmosphere: 5

Service: 1

Alexis

I was really excited to take my husband to Punch Room but left highly disappointed. While the atmosphere is top notch and a place I'd consider a hidden gem off just the decor alone, the service was absolutely horrendous. The hostess was very nice and allowed us to choose our seat since it wasn't crowded (our reservation was at 7pm which is early for them and considered "breakfast" - apparently they start getting busy with lines out the door around 11pm according to a server we overheard telling the table next to us). There were probably about three or four other groups/couples there and after we sat, it took about 20 mins or so to even be acknowledged - to the point that my husband asked me if we had to go up to the bar to order. Our server, whose name we never learned (tall, thin, with dark short hair) asked what type of water we wanted and then brought us two small cups of a welcome drink from a punch bowl (no idea what it was because she gave zero info). We ordered our drinks (the same drink because we assumed it would come together in a bowl because it was from pages I later learned were the "bowl menu"). The bartender brought over our drink in two separate glasses and we were a bit confused since we thought it would come in a bowl to share. When we were finally able to flag down our server, my husband said he thought we would have gotten our punch in a bowl and she apologized and said "do you want me to pour them into a two-person punch bowl so you can have that experience?" (meanwhile, our drinks were like half drank at this point.) It was extremely awkward and then she offered to bring us a bar snack which was a bowl of wasabi cashews. We finished our drinks and nobody came to our table for about 40 mins or so. We heard the server explain to the table next to us that the first few pages of the menu (where we ordered our drinks from) came in punch bowls, and offered some info on the punch they ordered. Spent $75 on two drinks in cocktail glasses and water.

CandiF

I came here with my husband for my birthday and it was such a nice experience. If you're looking for an upscale establishment with a speakeasy vibe, this is your spot. The mixologist was on point so the drinks did not disappoint. I will definitely be back soon.

Great place. Great vibe. Low level music allows for easy conversations. Great drinks. Be prepared to drop a dime though. Having said that, you have to do the punch bowl experience. Why bother going otherwise. Waitstaff was fantastic!

Manny

cool spot. chill vibes.

JuliaR

I absolutely love the punch room. The drinks are so unique but it is also the atmosphere. The blue chairs and drapes really pop against the warm wood. It is a great place to have a conversation and just enjoy the atmosphere.

Ambience and the experience of “Punch Room” is great, especially as this is the first in North America and the concept is unique. Nevertheless , I did not feel it was appropriate to charge $25 for a mocktail, the same as what I feel is the price of an over-priced cocktail. I suppose you're paying for the ambience, service, and the experience in addition to the drinks for that price, but there are other lounges that offer the same without excessive overpricing.

Phil Ottinger

Upon entry into the Edition the vibe felt unwelcoming and cold, this started with being uncomfortably stared down by the gentlemen (3 of them) working the front door who wouldn’t acknowledge my “hello how are you doing” and no assistance at all opening the door for my wife, they just stood there making it very difficult to get around them to open the door to get in.This should have been my warning sign to just turn around, kiss my deposit good bye and go back the JW.Once in we eventually made our way through the lobby and up to the 2nd floor, there’s nothing in the lobby area telling you where the Punch Room is located and had to hunt down someone to ask.On the 2nd floor where the Punch Room is located at, is a very brightly lit sterile area with a hostess stand in between the entrances of 2 different lounges. On the right is the Punch Room and the left is the Art Club.Another unwelcoming vibe while checking in with the hostess and staff surrounding the stand (5 various staff members just standing around and chitchatting) Yes, we were assisted but just a strange interaction with the staff and not what I was expecting for a 5 star rated establishment. We were directed to the Art Club lounge to get a drink while our table in the Punch Room was being setup, no problem at all with this and we were immediately greeted and acknowledged by the bartender who made our drinks.We should have just stayed there!About 15-20 minutes later one of the hostesses came in and took us over to the Punch Room. Going from the Art Club entrance to the Punch Room entrance is about 30 feet max, during that journey I had to pour my drink into a plastic cup at the hostess stand. I could understand doing this if I were to leave the area and go downstairs or to a room but from one lounge to the next that’s literally 30 feet away is ridiculous and I feel I was singled out since I noticed a couple in front of us not getting harassed and a couple behind us not having to transfer there drink to plastic cup.We get seated in the Punch Room with my plastic sticky cup in hand and after a few minutes the bartender came by and dropped off the drink menu and provided a little history of the Punch Room and then left to give us time to pick some drinks. While we waited for his return, random groups of people were coming in and out going up to the bar and taking pictures. This was really distracting and annoying, totally lost the exclusive and private vibe.As time went on, about 20 minutes, our bartender was no where to be scene and we had to wave down the girl for assistance. She came by and got my wife’s order and then just left quickly without getting mine or even check if I wanted anything. Really rude and strange behavior but follows the pattern of other past reviews.Another 20 minutes roll by and we finally see our waiter and we wave him down and asked for the check and he chuckles. What the heck is so funny about wanting a check and leaving?He disappears and is MIA again, we just decide to put cash on the table and leave. When we get out of the Punch Room we see our waiter on his cell phone at the hostess stand. No acknowledgment at all from him and just focused on his cell phone and talking to the hostess.Should have just stayed at the JW that night, excellent service at Driftlight Steakhouse and drinks at the Beacon.

Atmosphere: 2

Service: 1

Ruby Mahal

So cool! The Saloir’s Cup is a signature, will blow your socks

Atmosphere: 5

Service: 5

Dillon E.

I had an excellent experience at this venue. It was pleasantly small and quiet, offering a refreshing change of pace from busier places. Both the drinks and the service were outstanding.

Martin Estrada

One star for the great cocktail and the other star is for the great atmosphere. The sailor’s cup was an interesting cocktail featuring maubyBark and condensed milk it was an interesting cocktail unlike any I’ve had before. The atmosphere and vibe was very unique and almost gave a vintage feeling. Unfortunately, those are the only stars this place is getting. It’s a shame to put such a nice space together only to have the entire aesthetic ruined by the service. I wasn’t even able to get the waitress’ name, she was tall and thin with short black hair. She took an eternity to bring any of the menus, just as long to bring water and then forgot to take the order of someone in our party. Despite the locale being empty and having finished our drinks, it seemed impossible to get her attention. I said excuse me, waved my hand and another person in my party tried, but she was completely unresponsive until they cleared their throat and raised their voice. This whole process took about 45 minutes and at this point there was only one other table with two people at it. Once my water was empty it remained that way the rest of the night. Needless to say, I would not return unless I have no other plans for the night and I’m planning on spending the entire night here.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 1

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