The Bank Bar and Bistro

The Bank Bar and Bistro is an independent, family-run bar and bistro occupying the historic Grade II-listed building at 43 High Street in the centre of Wrexham, north-east Wales. The building was constructed in 1896 to a design by the architect JH Swainson and was originally known as the Trustee Savings Bank; it later became a pub that retained the name "The Bank". The hospitality business itself first opened its doors in 2009 and has since become a familiar fixture in the town centre, known for its relaxed atmosphere, home-cooked food and cocktails. The operation is genuinely family-run. According to the venue's own account, everyone helps out, from aunties and uncles through to the owners' parents. Owner Alex met his wife when she was a customer in the restaurant, and their two daughters now enjoy visiting for a cocktail. Aunty Pauline handles the accounts and keeps an eye on Alex's spending, while Uncle Ross takes care of maintenance, painting and the jobs no one else wants to do. This personal, hands-on character is central to the brand's identity. The Bank offers a large main bar area on the ground floor with a choice of comfortable sofas, high stools or traditional tables and chairs, designed so guests can settle in however they feel most relaxed. An upstairs lounge can be hired for private functions and special occasions; it features a fully stocked bar, a range of seating and a small dance area, with full table service for all orders. The menu focuses on locally sourced, seasonal small plates, complemented by an evolving selection of drinks and cocktails. The venue positions itself around excellent home-cooked food and first-class customer service, whether a guest has just popped in for a coffee or is celebrating a special occasion. Like many hospitality businesses, The Bank endured a difficult period during the COVID-19 pandemic, when it was able to open for only eight weeks in a single year. The team has since expressed its eagerness to see the bar and bistro thriving again with happy people meeting friends and family. The business remains independent and privately owned, trading from its landmark corner site at the junction of Church Street and High Street, opposite the church of St Giles — one of the most iconic views in Wrexham.

The building at 43 High Street, Wrexham, was constructed in 1896 by the architect JH Swainson. It stands on the corner of Church Street and High Street in the St Giles church area, part of a row of historic buildings with a commercial character on the south side of High Street. The building is a three-storey red sandstone structure with a small tower at attic level, providing a striking entrance to Church Street and forming part of one of Wrexham's most iconic views, looking towards St Giles' Church. It was originally known as the Trustee Savings Bank, and today the building, which retains the name "The Bank", is used as a pub. The hospitality business trading as The Bank Bar and Bistro first opened its doors in 2009. It is an independent, family-run operation in which everyone contributes, from aunties and uncles through to the owners' parents. Owner Alex met his wife when she was a customer in the restaurant, and they now have two daughters who love popping in for a cocktail. Aunty Pauline does the accounts and generally keeps an eye on Alex's spending, while Uncle Ross fixes the toilets, paints and does all the jobs no one else wants to do. The venue has been renovated and is described by its team as a beautifully renovated building, welcoming old and new customers to The Bank Bar and Bistro right in the heart of Wrexham High Street. The team has crafted an exciting new selection of drinks and curated a menu of locally sourced, seasonal small plates. The business emphasises excellent, home-cooked food and first-class customer service, whether a guest has just popped in for a coffee or is celebrating a special occasion. The Bank experienced a severe disruption during the COVID-19 pandemic, in a year that saw it open for a grand total of eight weeks. The team has since said it cannot wait to see the bar and bistro thriving again with happy people meeting friends and family. The venue's layout includes a large main bar area on the ground floor with comfortable sofas, high stools or traditional tables and chairs, and an upstairs lounge that can be hired for special occasions, boasting a fully stocked bar, a range of seating and a small dance area, with full table service for all orders.

• 2009

  The Bank Bar and Bistro first opens its doors as an independent, family-run bar and bistro.

• 1896

  The building at 43 High Street, Wrexham, is constructed by architect JH Swainson as the Trustee Savings Bank.

• The building, retaining the name "The Bank", is in use as a pub.

• During the COVID-19 pandemic, the venue opens for a total of only eight weeks in a single year.

Independent, family-run bar and bistro offering home-cooked food, cocktails and first-class service in a relaxed, historic town-centre setting.

• Locally sourced seasonal small plates

• Home-cooked food

• Cocktails

• Coffee

• Drinks and beverages

• Upstairs private lounge hire

1. 1Wine Bar and Bistro | Places to Eat in Wrexham | The Bankthebankwrexham.com
2. 2Our Story | Family-Run Bar & Bistro | The Bank Wrexhamthebankwrexham.com
3. 343 High Streetwikidata.org
4. 4Rhif 43, Stryt Fawr, Wrecsamcy.wikipedia.org