The Banker, Cannon Street, EC4

The Banker is a Fullers pub located on the northside of the Thames down an alleyway off Upper Thames Street. There is some seating outside the front door with views across the river and there are steps up to the entrance. The arched high-ceilinged interior houses a main bar area with counter on the back wall that faces some high tables. To the left are a couple of booths and to the right steps lead up to two long and narrow arched vault seating areas with windows that look onto the river under the railway bridge. Above the bar is a second seating area and advertised games room. This area was closed for a private function during my recent Wednesday afternoon visit. The television was switched off and I didn’t see any live sport advertisements. However, there was some background music playing. Available from the polite staff was a range of premium keg products and the bar supports two banks of four hand pumps. These were drawing Knight of the Garter, Pride, Oliver’s Island and Passionaide. Food is available, with rotisserie chicken being the pubs speciality. I’m a big fan of Fullers Pubs, but this wasn’t my favourite because I struggled to get comfortable, even though there were hardly any other customers.

Official site of The Banker - www.banker-london.co.uk

Official site of The Banker - www.banker-london.co.uk

The highlight of this Fuller's house is the outside terraces which give a great view of the tidal Thames as it sweeps under Cannon Street bridge.The interior is quite dark with wood panelling and a modest sized L shaped bar with two banks of handpumps serving a standard range of Fullers ales ,namely London Pride,Discovery,Seafarers and ESB on my trip.Sadly none of the excellent seasonal ales from Fullers were available. This pub is very popular with a younger after work crowd on a Friday evening,the interior was heaving at 9pm and clearly this is also a destination pub on the waterfront.Possibly better visited at a quieter time,although worth a look given the location.