Of all the City pubs, The Banker enjoys less of a banking clientele than most. Situated down by the river, under Cannon Street station and away from offices, it's more the preserve of passing walkers. This is reflected in its relative quietness. While other City pubs are almost constantly full, you can often get a table here on a Friday night.
The place is full of character. Its situation inside a bridge arch helps, of course, but there's also the riverside views both inside and out. The plum seats look out underneath the bridge, where the water swells around the supporting columns. The other great attraction here, and something of a rarity for central London, is the pair of pool tables on the upper deck. The pub's website also boasts that this is "one of the best places for live sport in Southwark". Erm?
Booze-wise, there's nothing much more than the usual Fuller's ales — the one guest ale turned out to be a keg of water, much to the surprise of the barmaid. The food is also rudimentary but filling, with sausage and mash or fish and chips the plats du jour.
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Last updated September 2015.