The Bank Hotel — Restaurant in Newcastle-Maitland

We have had many a fun night at The Bank over the years. The food was always delicious and the staff friendly and obliging. We hadn't been in a couple of years and so decided that we'd revisit to celebrate my brother's birthday tonight. What a difference and definitely not in a good way!

First problem was that we weren't even seated in the dining room, but at a table just inside the doors and squashed between the toilets and the gambling room. The person who booked online three weeks ago also left several requests for the restaurant, including that we would like a table near the kid's play area because we had a child in our party. So, given we'd booked several weeks ago, we were pretty surprised at our 'toilet table', but we let it slide.

The venue is clearly understaffed as we never once saw anyone pick up an empty glass, or clear the stack of plates left by baby and mother as they ate before us due to the child's age. So, we ate our own meals next to a pile of dirty dishes as we all thought that someone would come along and take them. Didn't happen.

There also seemed to be a lot of "unavailable" wines and spirits. You're a bar! Sort yourselves out.

Lastly - and this was the most disappointing part - a lot of your food is on the verge of being inedible. I had a garlic prawn hot pot and it was oversalted so badly, I could only eat three prawns before giving up. And I am a saltaholic! The majority of the meals we ordered were similarly disappointing.

The Bank is obviously under new management since we last visited and all missed the previous owners. The wife especially - that lady knew what good customer service is!

I couldn't recommend The Bank to anyone in its...

Oh boy, where do I even begin with The Bank Hotel in East Maitland? Let me tell you, this place is a hoot and a half!

First of all, let's talk about the decor. It's like they raided your grandma's attic and threw everything they found on the walls. But somehow, it all works together to create a charming and eclectic atmosphere. You'll find everything from taxidermy to old record players to random pieces of farm equipment on display.

But let's not forget the main attraction: the drinks! The Bank Hotel has a great selection of beers, wines, and cocktails. And if you're feeling particularly adventurous, they even have a "mystery shot" on the menu. I won't spoil the surprise, but let's just say it's not for the faint of heart.

Now, onto the food. The Bank Hotel offers your typical pub fare, but with a bit of a twist. The chicken schnitzel comes with a side of gravy that could make even the driest piece of chicken taste like a gourmet meal. And their burgers? Let's just say they're not messing around when it comes to portion sizes.

But perhaps the best part of The Bank Hotel is the entertainment. From trivia nights to live music to karaoke, there's always something going on. And let me tell you, the locals sure know how to party. Just be prepared to wake up with a bit of a headache the next morning.

Overall, if you're looking for a fun and quirky spot to grab a drink and some grub, The Bank Hotel is definitely worth a visit. Just don't forget to bring your sense of humor (and maybe...

I visited the Bank Hotel over the weekend and was not overly impressed. I was very happy when I read the menu and saw the symbols advising that some of the meals were able to be catered for different allergens (dairy free options, gluten free options, plus a few more). When I ordered our food at the register, I asked for the Chilli Prawns and Squid Hotpot, and to be made dairy free. The staff member advised that he did not know if it could be made dairy free, even though the menu advised so. The staff member went to check with the kitchen staff and further advised that “yes”, it could be made dairy free. When I went to collect my meal, it was missing the 2 slices of garlic bread. This is a large portion of the already small sized dish (granted, it is an entree size). When I asked where the missing bread was, they advised that the garlic bread that they serve with the dish is not dairy free and they do not have an alternative. So, I paid the same amount for a dish that was missing half of it. I saw that my partner had some corn chips on his mexicana chicken schnitzel and asked for some of those instead. It was evident by the staffs reactions that with me politely requesting some corn chips (to try and replace the bread), it was an annoyance. The staff provided some corn chips but not what the menu portrays. The actual hot pot was quite nice but it would have been nice to be advised that half the dish is missing as paying the same price for half a dish does...