The Banker, London EC4
London’s Best Beer, Pubs and Bars updates
Central London – City
Contemporary pub (Fuller’s)
2 Cousin Lane EC4R 3TE
T (020) 7283 5206 W www.fullers.co.uk
Open 1100-2130 Mon, 1100-2300 Tue-Fri, closed Sat-Sun. Children welcome daytimes.
Cask beer 5 (Fuller’s) Cask Marque, Other beer 5 keg, 5 bottles, Also wines
Food Sharing platters of pub grub & English tapas, Outdoor Riverside terrace, Disabled toilet
Functions, occasional big screen sport
Ingeniously shoehorned under the arches of Cannon Street rail bridge just before it launches itself across the river, this unusual and attractive Fuller’s house at the end of an intriguing alleyway is something of a find given the City’s general dearth of great pubs. It even boasts outdoor seating, a rarity in this part of town, in the form of a waterside terrace right next to a flight of steps down to the river at an ancient access point. It’s friendly enough despite being big and busy, and deservedly won a Visitor’s Award in the 2011 fancyapint.com Best London Pubs awards.
The big main space has high tables and plenty of standing room. Capacity is extended by a mezzanine floor and there’s an unexpected labyrinth of side rooms done out in more relaxing, loungey style. Regulars on cask are Discovery, ESB, Gales Seafarers and London Pride plus a seasonal or guest (low gravity “people’s beer” Mighty Atom on my visit) and there are some serious Fuller’s bottles too, including 1845, Bengal Lancer and the Brewer’s Reserve series. A selection of relatively common keg beers — Blue Moon, Früli, Litovel and the like — adds interest. Don’t come here for a meal for one — all the food is in the form of sharing platters, involving the likes of baked Camembert, pissaladière, pork and ham terrine, samosas, pies, skewers and the like, including vegetarian selections.
Insider tip. Turn right as you walk in to find a strip of seating overlooking the river, right under the bridge deck. It’s a light and airy contrast to the rather industrial main space, with its bare brickwork and lack of natural light.
National Rail, Underground Cannon Street Cycling CS7, NCN4, LCN+0 Walking Thames Path, Jubilee Greenway, Jubilee Walkway
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