The Old Bank, Liverpool

Pub SignMan left this review about The Old Bank

This is a large, open-plan pub on the main drag from the station to the beach, occupying what I assume, based on its name, is a former bank. Such bank conversions often tend to yield pretty spectacular, ornate interiors, but this place felt pretty modest and I’m not sure I would’ve recognised it as a former bank had it been given a different name. The interior comprises a large rectangular room, carpeted for the most part, but sporting a nice mosaic tile band around the bar area. Low button backed banquettes fill the front window bay with small stools in support, whilst similar banquettes run down the left-hand wall, accompanied by plush looking chairs. The bar is also to the left and has an attractive counter front with nice, detailed woodworked features, whilst the bar back is a very tall, dark wood affair with mirrors, smart capitals, an integral clock and a bunch of daft beer-themed puns written across the top. Further into the room, a slightly partitioned seating area appears, which offers a degree of privacy from the rest of the room and has access out to the rear patio garden. Some gold trim around the ceiling and a few fancy light fixtures were perhaps the most extravagant features that might just about have hinted at the pub’s former use. A few modern panes throughout the room bear the pub’s name and a couple of TV screens were showing muted At The Races with pop music playing over the top.
There are four handpulls on the bar but three of these were unclipped, leaving a sole cask ale option – Wily Fox Ikarus. I opted for a pint of this, which was served to me by a fairly indifferent barman, and thought it was in decent enough shape. There were only a few other customers in on a Sunday afternoon, making for a quiet, relaxed feel in contrast to the much busier Wetherspoons a few doors down.
This was a nice enough pub, with some comfy seating and an interesting beer in decent condition. The place does feel a little too big and impersonal to be a cosy spot where you might settle down for a session, but as a stop-off when passing through, I thought it did a reasonable job without challenging the area’s top pubs.

Date of visit – 16th July 2023

On 27^th December 2023 - rating: 6
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