The Counting House, Bank, EC3

This is a magnificent old bank building, now operated by Fuller's, with their ales on of course, and of course they do food. I had a swift half of their seasonal Jack Frost, at £2.90. This pub is reminiscent of the Old Bank of England, with similar grandeur and with period features surviving. It's well described before, and of course the photographs tell the story. Furnishings downstairs are mainly of the standard variety surrounding an island servery, and with a mezzanine floor which they seem to regard as their main dining area. Others have commented on how busy it can get, but I have to say that it was pretty quiet at around 10.45 on Saturday morning. This one is definitely worth a punt (or a pint even) for the superb ornate decoration - but it's not cheap.

As stated, this was built as a bank in 1893 and converted into this Fuller's Ale & Pie House in 1997. The description is well covered below, suffice to say that on a Thursday night, this place was rammed with boisterous bankers. I don't know if perhaps there was some special event on - there were at least two separate groups of people huddled beneath an A4 sheet of paper with their organisations' names printed on them - but it was packed in here and getting to the bar let alone getting served was a challenge. Typical Fuller's range of ales, predictable but safe. A fascinating interior indeed, but I wouldn't want to spend any time here if it's always this full. This is really one for sticking your head around the door for a peak before moving on. Closed at weekends.