The Banker, EC4

You're in the heart of the Square Mile here, but The Banker doesn't feel like the kind of soulless corporate boozer that tends to dominate this patch. It's got character — exposed brick, proper timber details, and a crowd that's genuinely here to enjoy themselves rather than just power through their afternoon. The bar staff know their stuff, there's a solid rotation of craft beers alongside the classics, and the food menu punches well above what you'd expect from a City local. It's the kind of place where you can rock up for a quick pint after work or settle in with mates for something more substantial.