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Disappointment of the week with Tris39
on the Pub Forum
Detail Pages
The Counting House, Bank, EC3
EC3
EC3V 3PD
Pub Type
Fuller'sReviews (Current Rating Average: 7½ of 10) see review guidelines
Tris C left this review about The Counting House
There’s an excellent description on CAMRA’s websites and some of the wood does look good if not all original, likewise the alabaster wall cladding and sizeable acreage of mosaic floor, viewable on Fuller’s website, with a naff mural and salmon pink coffered ceiling (see photo) and gallery, closing at 9.00pm and accessible only to diners.
However, the pub has deafening acoustics; even when only around 20% full, my smartwatch’s dB 100 alarm frequently chirped into life. At least on this occasion – earlier in the week – it was easier to get to the bar, with favourable cask options in the form of Dark Star’s Red Dwarf and Hophead on good form, but with awful pricing, a pint and pint of Asahi coming home at a barely believable £14.45; a second round comprising halves of the above, plus Neck Oil relieving me of £11.25.
This may be a must-visit pub, but it’s not a place to linger, which is why I stand by my previous grade, given that we are all entitled to apply our own criteria.
On 18th April 2024
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 1983 recommendations about 1949 pubs]
Steve of N21 left this review about The Counting House
Back in the other evening and good to find this fantastic pub in rude health. Reassuringly busy with the afterwork crowd and all the handpumps on the go with a decent range of Ales from the Fullers stables and the few we tried were all in good form.
If you want to relax and focus more on the great interior then visit mid afternoon. If you want to experience the joy de vie of city workers relaxing after a hard days making money then come in the evening. If you're not interested in either of those and the type of person that would rate this fantastic pub below a 5, then don't come at all.
On 31st August 2023
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2110 recommendations about 1992 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about The Counting House
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.
On 6th December 2021
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about The Counting House
Fullers have done a great conversion in here,there are lots of interesting features and oppulance.It's worth walking around to discover the full options.The ground floor has an island bar with carved wooden back,there is a vast sky light dome and impressive moulded ceiling,while there is a gallery up some stairs which will always be a quieter option for seating,although there is plenty of peripheral seating downstairs.Off the gallery there is a function room in wood panelling with it's own bar,while to the rear of the ground floor there are several seperate rooms in the former bankers offices,some also for hire,which act as overflow areas when busy.The rear door will take you into the alley system if crawling to another city pub.
This Ale & Pie branded outlet has sandwiches from £7 and mains starting at £11 and will always be popular at lunchtime.There is also a hotel entrance to the left of the building,which occupies the higher floors.
There are several banking hall conversions to pubs in the City and this is one of the better ones.Time your visit to miss the crowds,although I found bar service to be swift and efficient.The ale options were from 5 handpumps namely London Pride,Olivers Island,ESB (OK),seasonal Wise Men and a guest in St Austell Tribute ,a mainstream choice.
On 12th January 2019
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2727 recommendations about 2727 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about The Counting House
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.
On 29th November 2017
- rating: 4
[User has posted 1983 recommendations about 1949 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
hondo . left this review about The Counting House
Former banking hall that had an award winning conversion by Fuller's. As stated below it's all very grand/opulent and as roger button says it is similar to the old joint stock in Birmingham. Usual Fuller's selection and food served. Double it up with the nearby cross keys for another impressive interior.
On 24th November 2016
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 2883 recommendations about 2820 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
E TA left this review about The Counting House
A converted commercial premises, currently operated by Fullers. There is a grand foyer with a glass-cupola ceiling an upstairs terrace with dining tables and a large central servery. I found the staff very helpful, while the clientele were reasonable compared to most of the other local pubs. Food was the usual Fuller's standard, pre-made and microwaved, but sensible portion sizes, and although overpriced, not as overpriced as other local places. Five Fuller's ales on draft – I went for the Oliver's Island, which was in good condition. I count this as a success.
On 1st May 2016
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3281 recommendations about 3246 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Counting House
Very grand building, with a spectacularly ornate interior featuring an island bar, central dome and gallery within the former banking hall. Decent Fuller's beer too, with Pride, Seafarer's, Oliver's Island and ESB plus Redemption Big Chief (£4.60) as a guest from a total of nine handpumps. Well worth seeking ornate.
On 5th July 2015
- rating: 8
[User has posted 8086 recommendations about 8086 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about The Counting House
A definite destination pub this one, as it has such a magnificent interior. The pub also has lots of different and comfortable seating areas, all of which have splendid views of this impressive décor. My personal accolade to here and the Old Bank of England, is that I was the poor so-and-so French polishing most of the timber work in both pubs, many moons ago. Still, it was good to be on this side of the bar on this visit.
On 10th February 2015
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3382 recommendations about 3381 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Pub SignMan left this review about The Counting House
Fuller's seem to like the concept of converting former banks into impressive pubs - most of their Ale and Pie House outlets seem to fall into this category - and in The Counting House, we have what is probably their finest example. Formerly Prescott's Bank, the interior retains the sense of opulence that such banks could afford to put on show. The marble walls, mosaic tile floor and large upstairs gallery create and feeling of grandeur on entry which is only enhanced as you sit down and start to take it all in. The ceiling in particular is well worth a look, with its huge glass dome and heavy chandeliers. The ground floor is dominated by a large island bar, around which there is plenty of comfortable seating. The walls are covered with various portraits and some mocked up London Herald front pages.
To the rear of the room, a glass partitioning wall encloses a small snug-like area called the Club Room and there is another small seating section close to the back door which leads out to an alleyway which seems to double up as the smoker's location of choice. Upstairs there is even more seating and from up there, you can get a closer look at the ceiling, as well as a good vantage point to admire the rest of the pub down below.
There were only Fullers and Gale’s beers on at the bar, with a choice of London Pride, ESB, HSB, Discovery, Seafarers and Chiswick. I tried the HSB which was in very good shape, if not exactly the cheapest. The bar staff were friendly enough and seemed to be coping well with the Friday night crowds, which had proved problematic for some of the surrounding pubs.
Well worth a look for the interior alone, but it actually offers more than that, with good beer and a warm, friendly environment. I'll certainly be heading back this way in the near future.
On 10th September 2011
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3114 recommendations about 3114 pubs]