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Detail Pages
The Old Bank of England, EC4
EC4
EC4A 2LT
Pub Type
Fuller'sReviews (Current Rating Average: 7 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The Old Bank Of England
Fullers pub which, as the name suggests, has been converted from an old bank and the conversion has retained a large amount of the original opulence. I won’t attempt to describe it in-depth here as I have uploaded some photos which explain it better than I can – basically think high-celinged room, elaborate cornices, gigantic windows, wall paintings, huge (mahogany?) rectangular island bar with chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. I noted 'club' and 'dining' rooms behind closed doors - presumably these can be hired out for a small fortune. Gents toilets upstairs overlook Fleet Street, which makes for an unusual 60 seconds at the porcelain.
There’s a large number of handpumps on the go but they basically only serve the core Fullers range plus a seasonal – five in total. My Pride was in decent nick though came in at a hefty £1.85 for a half. Incongruous piped music in the form of Take That’s Greatest Hits and a number of annoying punters with their heads lodged firmly up their rear ends (sample overheard conversation “oh yah, I have so got a Twitter strategy since Piersy – that’s PIERS MORGAN – pulled me up on my spelling”). Seating is fairly minimal and I settled on a rather uncomfortable high stool next to the wall shelving before discovering a small upstairs area with thankfully comfier chairs, encountering someone was being interviewed and fawned over by a journalist but I had no idea who he was – so if you like celeb-spotting maybe this is the place to be.
Overall, this is an impressive place to sink a pint and it’s definitely worth a look. I wouldn’t fancy setting in for a session but I somehow doubt they’d miss me.
On 9th June 2011
- rating: 7
[User has posted 5099 recommendations about 5082 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Malden man left this review about The Old Bank Of England
This is another Fuller's bank conversion which follows the usual formula of a central island bar, gallery over at one end and seperate rooms in the former staff offices. The site is the former Law Courts branch of The Bank of England and the lease was obtained by Fuller's in 1994. Take a look at the fantastic elaborate ceiling with the three large chandeliers suspended beneath. Fullers have succeeded here in preserving and enhancing the building, there are decorative marble clad columns, cornices and arches, painted murals, one having an inset clock. The bar has a dark wood canopy over with a raised (although stopped) clock on top. The double storey height windows facing Fleet St have large elegant drapes. A flaming torch advertises the pub's presence outside.
The walls have a library of framed pictures, photographs, drawings, maps and so on.
In my opinion this is one of the better conversions of the type and certainly up there with the non too distant Counting House.
The full range of the general Fuller's range was on (no Porter sadly), I opted for the ESB which was properly served in its branded stemmed glass but at a rather sobering £3.75.
The pub menus have a write up which informs that the building sits between what was Sweeney Todd's barbers shop (the demon barber of Fleet St) and the shop of Mrs Lovett the pie maker who disposed of the bodies of his victims by serving them in her pies. Allegedly the tunnels and vaults beneath the pub were used to butcher and transport the unfortunate souls. The fact that this is now a Fuller's Ale and Pie house is not without an amusing modern irony then!
Certainly recommended if only for the architecture rather than the price of the beer. One minor moan, I suppose it may be a listed building but they really could do with an obscure glass window in the gents' which directly overlooks busy Fleet St.
On 19th January 2011
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1708 recommendations about 1681 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve of N21 left this review about The Old Bank Of England
The Old Bank of England is another of Fuller's fine conversions of a former banking premises into a pub. Despite the name this is not the original Bank of England but a sub branch built in 1888 to serve the nearby Law Courts. When Fullers took it over in the early 1990’s they spent a large amount of money converting it but managed to keep nearly all of the original Victorian opulence and spender.
The main serving area is a huge island bar in the middle of the ground floor on top of which is a clock tower. But what you mainly see when entering is the high sculptured decorated ceilings and the enormous chandeliers. Even if you don’t fancy a drink go and use the toilets which are up the staircases at either end as when at the mezzanine level you have an even better view of the classical murals, grandiose decor and the magnificent massive curtains over the high windows.
Behind the bar area there is an area of seating which has period photo’s of the pub building from years gone by.
The usual Fullers range is generally available and although the pub gets very busy work day evenings, at which time it’s a noisy place for a pint and the service can get a bit iffy, it's still worth a visit.
But get there mid afternoon when it is quieter, like I did last week, get a pint of pride, sit at one of the tables, and just take it all in.
On 31st July 2010
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2111 recommendations about 1992 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Michael Boyes left this review about The Old Bank Of England
Large Fuller's pub with an island bar and balcony. Very well restored from a former bank. Good food and the full range of Fuller's real ale. It's a pity it is closed on Saturday and Sunday.
On 8th May 2010
- rating: 7
[User has posted 55 recommendations about 55 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve C left this review about The Old Bank Of England
This is a large and impressive Fullers ale and pie house with a centre bar and balconies. The full Fullers range is available and I found the staff to be efficient.
I think that this place lacks some atmosphere, but is well worth a look if in the area.
On 8th October 2009
- rating: 7
[User has posted 5251 recommendations about 5219 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
ROB Camra left this review about The Old Bank Of England
A very impressive conversion of a banking hall. High ceilings and loads of pictures around the walls. I often call in here as part of a pub crawl as there are plenty of other good pubs in the area. It's expensive even for the city, but every pint I've had here has been well kept. The complete Fullers range is available, sometimes with an added guest. My pint of Discovery was, as usual, very good on this visit. Worth a look in for the decor alone and the good beer is a bonus.
On 23rd February 2009
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3224 recommendations about 3135 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
john mcgraw left this review about The Old Bank Of England
Large and very ornate Fuller's pub.The name refers to a branch of a bank.Beers in top form.10 mins from Temple station.Closed Sat & Sun.
On 5th February 2007
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2044 recommendations about 2025 pubs]