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The Counting House, Bank, EC3

50 Cornhill
EC3
EC3V 3PD
Phone: 02072837123

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Pub Type

Fuller's
Page: 1 2

Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7 of 10) Add Review see review guidelines


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Roger Button left this review about The Counting House

Built in 1893 as Prescotts Bank which after a series of mergers and takeovers ended up as aprt of NatWest, Fullers bought and converted the building into a pub in 1998. Those familiar with the Old Joint Stock in Birmingham (Fullers most northernly pub) will know exactly what to expect here and the two could almost be one and the same place.

The sumptious interior retains all the trappings and opulence expected of a City Bank, mosaic floors, marble walls, chandeliers, ornate ceilings and murals, all housed under a large rotunda. It also claims to have the only war memorial within a pub, a dedication to the 2,000+ Bank employees who died fighting in the First World War. Portraits stare from the walls althought he fake daily Herald newspapers look a bit tacky, especially given that many of the headlines on display actually date from after the newspaper ceased trading.

The large island bar contains 14 handpumps with 6 Fullers/Gales ales (Pride, ESB, Jack Frost, Discovery, Bengal Lancer and Chiswick) on offer. It is decent quality but very expensive as you would probably expect given the location and ornate surroundings. Service is not always the most efficient and the place can get uncomfortably busy with city workers.

An open staircase leads up to a balcony bar with excellent views of the swirling masses below. The rear section appears to mainly cater for diners (main courses around £10). There is also a third floor with a large function room that in itself can be divided into 2 and has it’s own separate bar although the beers are a bit more limited with just Pride on hand pump. Down in the depths, the lower basement apparently contains part of the old Roman City Walls.

It is an impressive building and is certainly worthy of a visit if you are wandering around the city, even if it is to admire what they used to spend your overdraft charges on, but is probably best avoided at peak times when the insanely crowded atmosphere can be a bit too much.

On 25th February 2011 - rating: 8
[User has posted 1239 recommendations about 1233 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Malden man left this review about The Counting House

An impressive Fuller's Ale and Pie house conversion from what had become a NatWest branch in 1997. The main part of the pub is in what would have been the main banking hall. Staggeringly opulent, walls have marble or alabaster panels between mahogany pillars, large square Tuscan columns hold up the impressively detailed high ceiling from which three large chandeliers light the room, however pride of place probably goes to the huge domed rooflight. On entering you may notice the memorial to all bank staff who lost their lives in The Great War, certainly an unusual feature in a pub. The entrance area also features a mosaic tiled lobby, with the mosaic style continuing along the right hand side of the pub to the rear. I assume this was once the corridor with the hall off to the left and the offices to the rear. There is now a gallery to the left and rear, accessed either from a new iron stair towards the front or from the original back office stair at the rear. This gives good views of the building in general as well as the drinkers below. To the rear of the pub what I imagine to have been the staff and manager's offices now form smaller more snug like drinking areas.
Most if not all of the Fuller's range were on, with there being several banks of handpumps spread around the island bar. Not cheap, its Fullers, and its the City, £3.50 for what in fairness was a decent pint of Pride. I noticed they had Hock on. I also noticed a sign saying table service is available at lunchtimes. Mixed seating, mainly traditional upstairs, but there are a few armchairs and a few high tables with stools in the main hall. Decor includes portrait prints, and there is a mural in a front corner.
Certainly worth a visit for the interior alone but not a bad pint either.

On 3rd June 2010 - rating: 7
[User has posted 1707 recommendations about 1681 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Steve of N21 left this review about The Counting House

Blimey 24 photo’s posted but none of the interior, especially the fantastic ceiling. The building dates from 1893 and was originally built for Prescotts Bank, and remained a bank until it was bought by Fullers and turned into one of their large Ale and Pie pubs. Has a large oval island bar serving all the Fullers range from several hand pump stations around the bar, so if the Fullers runs out at one station the bar staff serve you from another. I’ve always found the beers good in the Counting House and although it can get very busy I recommend to visit at least once,just to see the internal décor.And the gallery, if you are lucky enough to get a seat here is a great place to chill and watch the crowd below.
Was in again last night. Now the week before Christmas is never a good time to see a City pub at its best because the Christmas celebrating throngs will put a demand on the service levels and beer quality of even the best run pubs.
And the Counting House was packed to the rafters, but happy to report that we experienced good service levels from the hard working staff who were on in sufficient quantity, and the Pride was good..




On 23rd December 2009 - rating: 8
[User has posted 2094 recommendations about 1985 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


ROB Camra left this review about The Counting House

A fantastic conversion from which was latterly a Nat West, but had previously been Prescotts bank (I think). Wonderfully ornate, you spend your first five minutes just looking upwards! Always visit when I do my regular "get off at Bank" pub crawl. Usually busy, but the service is good. Often stocks the whole Fullers range including the seasonals and I've never had a poor pint in here. If you're in the area, you have to visit.

On 12th March 2009 - rating: 7
[User has posted 3216 recommendations about 3127 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Steve C left this review about The Counting House

The staff were pleasant enough in this is a very grand pub with the full Fullers range available. The pub was packed, but there were plenty of spaces to stand comfortably even if the upstairs balcony was rammed.

Even though it is a bit on the pricey side I'd still go back if in the area.

On 16th February 2009 - rating: 7
[User has posted 5179 recommendations about 5148 pubs]

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