The Banker, Cannon Street, EC4

Location and interior as described below. Usual Fuller's beer and food served. The pub has a pool table.

Randomness Guide to London - Banker entry

Randomness Guide to London - Banker entry

This was my first visit to The Banker and I found it a much better alternative to the Anchor on the south bank and now that I know there is a much better boozer opposite I will be taking the short detour across Southwark Bridge in future. It is a bit difficult to find but well worth searching out for its design (the way they've made full use of the Railway station brick arches) and for the riverside location. The outside terrace is an excellent place to enjoy a beer and even though they had a BBQ in full swing in the corner, it is still large enough to accommodate several groups. The Fullers ales were decent quality and nice to see them served in the correct glasses with The ESB coming in the large goblet style glass. So in conclusion , a very decent example of a large Fullers pub in the City, and I will be back.

The Banker isn’t a place you would comeacross by accident being tucked away down a side street alongside Cannon Street Railway Station. The cavernous but spacious interior consists 2 massive Victorian brick arches that prop up the station above and running perpendicular, 2 smaller tongue and groove lined arches with a more intimate loungey feel. At the end is a narrow enclosed terrace that commands a panoramic river view beneath the railway bridge passing overhead. The vast expanses of brickwork have some unusual arty style modern black and white photos of the local architecture and some of the river traffic whilst the smaller arches contain some portraits of the classic river views. There is also an upstairs balcony which is occasionally sealed off for private functions and an open riverside terrace. Even during the busiest periods I have always managed to get a seat and a table. A well positioned plasma screen covers the usual sporting occasions and the music is unobtrusive albeit fairly safe and mainstream. On the beer front, a good selection of well kept Fullers beers available (Chiswick, ESB, HSB, Discovery & Pride) but a bit on the pricey side (London prices blah blah blah). The other downside from my most recent visit was the woefully short measure, especially given the Cask Marque accreditation and a top up wasn’t exactly delivered with a beaming smile. As a non-regular I wouldn’t let it affect my rating but it is something I would keep an eye on in future visits. In general, it is a pub that is well worth seeking out but needs to pay a bit of attention to the service side of things.