Beaddictive

Reviewed by:	Bryan Mclean (contact)
Title:	The Bank Hotel - Edinburgh, Scotland
Category:	Bars / Pubs
Rating:

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The bank hotel offers nine rooms named after legendary Scottish figures, including Robert Burns, Robert Louis Stevenson, Alexander Graham Bell and John Logie Baird. The reception is located at one end of the bar on the ground floor. I have not stayed in any of the rooms as this review is mainly about the bar called “The Bank Bar”. The building itself I am told actually was a bank back in the hay day of grander banks.

Inside the bar the décor is more on the formal side, with a high, frescoed ceiling and lustrous taupe-coloured curtains framing the bay windows. The bar is in the centre which serves on three sides where the forth is the reception for the hotel side as the bar is more square. The bar serves a decent range of drinks. The bar offers a student discount on some drinks with an SR (Student Recommended) card and a valid student ID.

Diners can sit in the private dining room, in the upstairs lounge or the downstairs bar. Popular with tourists, the Bank Hotel serves breakfast every morning and more normal meals you would expect to be on a pub’s menu throughout the day. I have not sampled the full menu as yet but what I have tried has been pretty good.

Some of what is on the menu there is Plump chicken wings with a sweet and spicy dipping sauce. The bruschetta, made with thick granary bread, is stacked high with garlic, pesto and mozzarella, while two large round discs of breadcrumbed fish come with a tomato salad. Other options include a range of salads, wraps, sandwiches, burgers and even a creamy Thai red curry with chicken.

Desserts are limited but reliable: the caramelised apple sponge, served with crème anglaise, has a lovely crisp topping. Service is attentive despite the queue of people throughout the day as this is a very popular bar both with tourist and locals. So my advice is if you are wishing to have a meal be there early to get a table as they go fast.

The bar also offers free wi-fi to its customers and has live music every weekend mainly on the Friday and Saturday nights, for who is going to be playing its best to check in the bar for more details. When I have been in there when there is a live act playing it has always been crowded but with a good atmosphere.

Verdict: The location is central, free wi-fi and live music each week make this bar a handy place to stop awhile. I would recommend this bar if you don’t mind it being quite busy especially around the holidays.