please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Plenty of choice in Keswick and anywhere else, I am sure this would really stand out.
In the end, it had the feel of just another pub.
Beer was decent, as it was everywhere!
Keswick pub crawl and photos at http://bit.ly/2ebKnG3
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An old haunt of mine from when I first went to the Lakes some 25 years ago and it hasn't really changed that much in that time. It still serves a good pint of Sneck Lifter and a decent plate of food, so if that's what you're after then head here.
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Jennings pub at the bottom of the High Street that has low beams & is dark inside. The patio to the side is a great place to sit and enjoy your pint when the sun's out, there's also a covered area near the back door to shelter you in colder & wet weather.
On my visit there seemed to be more tourists than locals in & food was very popular.
8 hand pumps offering 4 Jennings ales & 3 from the Marston's chain plus my choice which was Taverners Ale @ 4.2% from Keswick Brewery.
Attentive and friendly bar staff ensured quick service.
Nicely laid out pub that does well on food (most in Keswick seem to), worth a visit.
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Good Jennings Ale
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Nice, warm and comfortable pub. 8 hand pumps - 5 Jennings & 3 guests. Had a very agreeable Jennings Cocker Hoop. A pity I wasn't able to stay longer to try more.
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The Bank is essentially a single room pub with the bar taking up half of the left hand wall but some central partitions give it a more intimate feel. There are eight pumps, five dispense Jennings ales while the other three offer guests. I opted for Marstons Single Hop Wakatu which was good.
The pub was packed full of 'tourists' (possibly because of the dreadful weather) on my lunchtime visit, and all of them were eating. I came here many times in the 80s, for the excellent steaks (the chef is long gone), so I've always viewed it as an eating establishment rather than a pub. However, the atmosphere was good and a pleasant couple of hours were spent here.
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A good and welcoming pub. The ubiquitous Jennings Ale (Jennings seem to have a complete monopoly in Keswick) is something of an acquired taste but there is a pleasant atmosphere and a warm and welcoming feel to this old town centre pub. The ideal place to find shelter from the Lake District weather and relect on the days walking.
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Visited on a wet and therefore quiet Sunday afternoon, fullrange of Jennings ales plus three decent guests from the Marstons stable. As said elsewhere, not cheap, but beer was in very good nick.
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Very unwelcoming, went in for a bite to eat and a pint of ale with 3 mates after coming off the fells, polish bar man was miserable and had no crack, bar maid was even more miserable and decided we all looked too young and decided our UK Driving Licenses looked fake but begrudgingly served us an expensive and mediocre pint anyway. Needless to say we refused them the business of lunch and went to the superior Dog and Gun. Worst Pub in Keswick.
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The beers are OK but not outstanding (Jennings) and probably the most expensive in Keswick. The patio at the back is useful if you're in a large party.
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Great pub, one of the ones we regularly visit when we're staying in Keswick. Good range of beer and decent food. As others have said, it's a bit more expensive than the 'Wetherspoons' type pub but its about par with the others in the Town. Gets quite busy on an evening though and you can feel a bit squashed in but worth it IMO.
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Mountainman,The Bank tavern is owned by Jennings/Marstons, to me there is no excuse for overpricing.The fact is that theres tourism all year round in Keswick and many pubs are busy to what Ive seen when I am there. It wasnt just the 1 pub,its Keswick in general,I just feel sorry for the locals who have basically been coined out of being able to afford to go out for regular nights out. Theres plenty of jennings pubs out on the coast which serve cheaper beer.....and less tourists..
As I said the ale is kept well in the pub but its a rip off.
And for the record Wetherspoons do keep the beer well in Workington and Carlisle,thats why I am happy to drink in there. I just think Keswick should think about its locals more and how they feel about silly prices for alcohol. It is more expensive than London. And grasmere..I got a beer 50p cheaper....
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A fine well estabilished pub well worth a visit.
Friendly and a good range of beers.
Second only to the Dog and Gun but that's no disgrace.
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In response to Markredfox, from June. �3.20 is slightly over average for a pint of beer in a tourist town. It is not a fair comparison to take the cost of a pint in a small independent pub in a tourist town and judge it alongside a similar product in the pub giant that is JD Wetherspoon. The differences in quality of the beer (JDW products in my experience have ranged from below average to reasonable, whereas The Bank Tavern employ great cellar management and turn out a fantastic pint); buying power - Wetherspoon can buy in bulk, small independents simply cannot - basic economics, the atmosphere - there is nothing more appealing than a quirky, unique bar, something JDW cannot claim as their soulless ventures across the country prove and numerous other reasons. Just think. If the Bank Tavern were able to sell their beer significantly cheaper (i.e �1.20 a pint as you quote), don't you think they would, to improve footfall and turnover ? Please consider smaller businesses for what they are, and don't compare them to the huge corporations.
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A busy pub in the centre of Keswick serving well kept Jennings beers. Its a bit dark and cramped around the bar area but there is a larger area towards the rear as well as outside seating. The menu is fairly standard but on the day of my visit they were offering reasonably priced giant yorkshires filled with either beef stew or Cumberland sausage, veg and gravy. I opted for the stew and was not the least bit disappointed. Neither were the German tourists who tried the same on my recommendation.
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Fine if you dont mind waiting for the staff to stop chatting, the old woman who served me could make the beer go flat with a single glance. Beer overpriced like many Keswick pubs.
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Always has the FULL range of Jennings beer always in GREAT condition, and a couple of others. A good range of food and good service . The best pub in Keswick for me, Well ahead of the overrated Dog and Gun
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Second best to the Dog & Gun for me, but worth a stop if you're up for trying a few different Keswick pubs.
As other have said, there's a good range of ales on including 3 or 4 Jennings regulars. The beer is kept very well indeed, and if you can overlook the hoards of octogenarians chomping down on boiled vegetables at meal times, then definitely pay a visit.
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�3.20 a pint.disgusting rip off and shameful.
As a local West Cumbrian this was my first stop.After paying �1.20 for a nice Jennings ale at the spoons in Workington,this was a shocker to be charged �2 more for the same. Something is wrong.......its called KESWICK PUBS LOVE TO RIP THE TOURISTS OFF,AND ARE NOT FUSSED ABOUT THE LOCALS
Wont be rushing back there in a hurry for any ale.I begrudge paying that kind of price. It is blooming cheaper in London
Having said the pub seemed ok and the ale I had was served well.I would rate it higher but pricing is an important factor for me
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For a Marston's pub, this place has a fairly good range of beers - Marstons Powder Cask, Ringwood Huffkin, Jennings Sneck Lifter, World's Biggest Liar, Cocker Hoop, Bitter & Cumberland Ale & Wychwood Hobgoblin. The interior is pleasant enough and last time I was here, I remember sitting outside on a small patio. This time was too wet and windy.
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Have visited this pub once a year over the last 10 years or so and has remained consistently good. Would agree about the prices being high but beer quality maintained. Food very good as well. Have to agree that it can sometimes get hot and stuffy, but well worth a visit. Has good range of Jennings ales but also interesting guests.
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Nice, town center pub. Beer is the best thing about this pub with a great selection of real ales, albiet expensive.Food ok but spoiled by the fact that they cannot peel potatoes and chip them! They serve chip substitutes which have no taste.
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Having visited again this year, we had great proper pub grub and really good Jennings Ales. It says walkers welcome but do not walk on carpet - which may be difficult if you need the loo.
Back on the list to visit.
We had a great late afternoon few beers and then ordered food before heading back to our cottage. Perhaps a little pricy but they have such a central location - still a good afternoon post walking the fells
Darren Halmshaw
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Nice pub with a mixture of locals & tourists. Rotating guest ales & good range of food. The toilets are very clean. My only criticism is that on the dozen or so occassions I have been in this pub it is very hot & stuffy.
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one of the busier pubs in keswick but also the most expensive keep a nice pint mind but is it worth 50-60p more than the others
Amigo - 11 Jan 2008 19:12 |
This once was a welcoming place now operated by jobs worths and only seem interested if you order food and drink, what happened to a frienly lakes Pub? Jenning why did you sell out to Marstons, shame on you
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The ban tavern was once a welcoming pub, now the staff are aloof. The food good but over priced and the beer is probably the dearest in the lakes.
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Can't understand why this pub never gets a Good Beer Guide entry. The beer is always superbly kept with the sparklers kept at bay. Last time I went (June 07), two additional beers were on offer as well as the usual Jennings range, giving a wide choice. Not a lot of atmosphere, I'll admit, but the staff has always been friendly and efficient. Can't comment on the food as I've never had any.
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My favourite out of the twelve pubs I visited in Keswick. Beer was very good and the biggest range I found; didn't eat the food but given the way the group next to me scoffed it down I'd say that was very good too.
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Very nice pub with well-kept Cocker Hoop. Worth a visit.
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Pleasant pub with a full range of Jennings ales. It also has a small patio area to the rear, and serves good pub grub.
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I really like this place. Food is always good and served in good time.
clg79 - 22 Apr 2006 18:32 |
This pub is sometimes overlooked by the throngs hurtling towards Oddfellows or the Dog and Gun, but this is really worth a visit. The Jennings beers are kept superbly.
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Friendly and very popular. Sells virtually the whole range of Jennings beers, albeit at tourist prices.
John - 20 Oct 2004 13:37 |
