The Bank Wexford

Just what Wexford needed - another gastropub masquerading as a financial institution. The Bank Wexford joins the ever-growing list of establishments that thought converting historic buildings into drinking establishments was somehow revolutionary. And yet, against my better judgment and professional cynicism, I found myself reluctantly impressed by this particular venture.

Let's address the elephant in the room - yes, The Bank Wexford is housed in what was presumably once a temple of capitalism, and they've leaned into the theme with all the subtlety of a bull in a china shop. The high ceilings and impressive architectural details remain, now watching over patrons more interested in liquid assets than financial ones. But here's the thing - it actually works.

The interior strikes that delicate balance between preserving historical grandeur and creating a space where you don't feel compelled to whisper. The bar, stacked impressively high with spirits, serves as a modern altar to libations where deposit slips were once religiously processed. It's all very clever, if a touch obvious.

I arrived determined to find fault with their middling price point - surely another mediocre pub charging above-average prices for below-average fare. The menu's presentation initially supported my skepticism - a simple clipboard affair that had me reaching for my "pretentious yet basic" notes. But then the food arrived, and my carefully constructed wall of cynicism began to crack.

The parma pizza, which I ordered with an eye-roll and a muttered "let's see how they massacre this one," emerged as something of a revelation. The kitchen clearly knows what they're doing, even if they're doing it in a converted bank. Their rigatoni occasionally flirts with over-salting, but it's a forgivable offense in the grand scheme of things.

The cocktail program deserves special mention, if only because it manages to be both ambitious and competent - a rare combination in Wexford's drinking scene. Yes, their espresso cocktail might knock you sideways, but isn't that rather the point? The wine list is surprisingly thoughtful, and the beer selection suggests someone actually cares about what people want to drink rather than just what's easy to stock.

Service manages to strike that sweet spot between attentive and overbearing - a balance as delicate as their banoffee pie, which, by the way, is worth whatever cardiac consequences await. The staff seems genuinely invested in your experience, which makes me suspect some sort of performance-based incentive system, but I'm choosing to believe in human kindness. For now.

What truly sets The Bank Wexford apart is its ability to serve multiple masters without failing any of them spectacularly. It works for a casual lunch, a business dinner, or a night out when you're pretending to be more sophisticated than you are. The space adapts to your needs, whether you're celebrating a promotion or drowning your sorrows about not getting one.

They've managed to keep prices in the realm of reasonable, which is increasingly rare in Wexford's dining scene. Two can dine with drinks and dessert for around €67, which, while not cheap, won't require a actual bank loan. The value proposition becomes even more attractive when you consider the quality of both food and atmosphere.

For those concerned with practicalities: yes, there's parking nearby (paid, naturally - this is still Wexford), the restrooms are impressively maintained (a detail that shouldn't be noteworthy but sadly is), and they take reservations (which you should probably make, particularly for evening service). They're even child-friendly, though I'm not entirely sure why you'd want to bring small humans to such a civilized establishment.

Look, I didn't want to like The Bank Wexford. I wanted to write a scathing review about another soulless conversion of a historic building into yet another drinking establishment. Instead, I'm sitting here recommending that you give it a try, especially if you're in downtown Wexford and in need of a reliable spot for good food and drinks in an atmosphere that manages to be both impressive and comfortable. Just don't tell them I sent you - I have a reputation to maintain.