The Bank American Burger Bar

The Bank is an 80s Inspired American Burger Bar. Burger Bank, popularised for their burgers, craft beer and milkshakes in a chill venue. Let’s take a foodie dine-in and check out their burgers with a dinner dine-in.

The Bank American Burger Bar is situated along Craig Road in the vibrant Tanjong Pagar neighborhood, is a recent addition to the local dining scene. Notably the 80s-inspired American Burger Bar, opened mid-2023.

Entering the Bank

The Bank at its core is a bar pub and burger joint. The burger part is not obvious given rather inconspicuous front entrance. Entering the bar requires sliding a heavy wooden door disguised as an ATM front. And no, you do not need to insert your ATM card to do so. It adds a touch of novelty to an otherwise common visibly open glass front for most restaurants.

Bank storefront

Bank member card

Got ATM?

However, the bad is that you won’t know that it is a restaurant in there, and is less conspicuous to those walking by, necessitating reliance on menus and signage to discover its presence.

Moreover, the establishment is a retro themed once. Once inside, The Bank reveals a vice-like ambiance reminiscent of the early mafia eras. Adorned in black and purple with curtains separating dining and bar areas, the interior exudes a thematic charm. The tables, accommodating groups of up to six, boast reconfigurability. The retro touch continues with hand-taken orders using paper menus, harking back to a bygone era.

The Bank Teller offers 3 burgers

Your menu options are simple, there are 3 different types of burgers to choose from their succinct food menu. I found the standout is the signature Beef Cheeseburger, crafted from 100% prime Angus beef, topped with melted American cheese and signature sauces. Here, prices starts at $18 for a single patty and $26 for a double, the burgers default to a medium-well as default, retaining a good juicy and soft red core within your beef patties.

Moreover, I found their cheeseburgers a signature item of the menu to try. The thick and juicy patties, available in single or double configurations, deliver a satisfying bite. The patties are also made rather thick, offering a satisfying bite. If you are hungry, the double patties is a no-brainer. At $26 a pop. It is quite value for money for the gourmet quality you get.

Also, I found the burger portions offered by Bank Burger adequate for a full-meal when paired with fries. The patties are thick and juicy and can be rather filling with a double patty configuration with milkshakes, though not as over-indulgent as the stomach-bursting burgers and milkshakes at Black Tap Burgers in Marina Bay Sands we tasted previously.

Still, the Bank’s offerings remain a wallet-friendly alternative for quality gourmet burgers under $20. This positions it favorably in the culinary landscape. This puts The Bank on-par of competing offering Burger joints such as Bergs Gourmet Burgers and Burger and Lobster, though just tad more affordable than the more expensive Honbo Burgers at Chijmes.

Delightful crispy fried chicken burger

Additionally, the second burger on their menu is their Fried chicken burger. Consisting of battered and fried buttermilk chicken patty marinated with the bank’s secret herb blended, also served with melted cheese. The fried chicken is well cooked, crispy. and still steaming when consumed. It is quite a delight and has tad has a southern-style inspiration to it.

Completing the trio is the Portobello Mushroom Burger, presenting a sizeable Portobello mushroom between toasted buns and cheese. You get one large Portobello mushroom for a single “patty” serving.  Notably, all of their burgers are competitively priced at $18 for a single patty and $26 for a double. It simplifies the pricing for a consistent and straightforward menu.

Also, if you are looking for other type of bar and pub food, you be tad be out of luck here as the 3 burgers mains are the only offerings of the establishment here. Still, specializing in gourmet burgers itself is a good enough offering

For those craving additional toppings, options like bacon ($2), cheese ($2), or jalapeño ($1) can be added to customize the burgers. Notably, the presentation of the burgers on plates atop retro oil paper. You burgers also has burnt seal marks on the top bearing The Bank logo, adds a distinctive touch to the dining experience.

Best paired with sides of fries

No burger selection is complete without accompanying sides of fries. However, do note that your burgers do not come with fries. Hence, it is recommended to order some with your burgers.

Also, the portions for a basket of fries ($6) is very generous though, and enough for even 3 persons. The bank is definitely not stingy when it comes. Recommended sides is their Fries ($6), you can also opt for more flavourful cheese fries at $11 or Jalapeño poppers at $12 per tray for sharing. For a single-patty burger with a side of fries, you are expecting a burger meal here starting from $24 excluding drinks, which is reasonable and comparable to market pricing.

Try their milkshakes

Complementing the burger experience are the milkshakes. You have a choice of 4 different flavours to choose from, available in vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, and Oreo flavors, each priced at $12.50 per cup. The shakes, while thick and flavorful, maintain a balance and well blended. It offers a delightful treat without the guilt associated with thicker and richer American ones we tried at Heart Attack grill in Las Vegas.

Chocolate and Oreo shakes

Craft beers on tap

Gaming machine

On bar ambience, the interior design of The Bank contributes to its overall appeal. The interior of the bar has a much lighter mood, with dark walls adorned with retro scenes. The walls showcases photographs and posters from movies, music, and technology. The long bar at the far end leads to the open kitchen and burger grill area, providing patrons with a visual feast beyond the culinary delights. There is also a small arcade machine located at the far end of the bar, though it does not appear that the bar does live-music.

During a weekend dine-in experience, The Bank’s atmosphere strikes a balance, with a reasonably full but not overcrowded bar. Despite having only 1 server for the evening, service is fast, friendly and food comes out quick (within 10mins) from the kitchen too.

Also, past 8:30 pm, the dinner crowd gradually transitions into a more relaxed drinking atmosphere. The diverse drink menu, featuring non-alcoholic options starting at $3.90 for a coke and up to $6.90 for sparkling water (go figure). Beers are available on a separate menu or ask the bar for recommendations, especially their craft beer options on brew.

Wrapping up

That wraps up the food offerings here, a noteworthy mention was a promotion during my visit was the membership stamp program, where you can accumulate stamps for every $25 spent, culminating in a free burger after eight stamps. Humorously, the card is nicely printed to look like an ATM bank card, to go with the ATM out front. This incentive adds a layer of loyalty and engagement, encouraging patrons to return for more.

In conclusion, the Bank American Burger Bar in Tanjong Pagar offers a distinctive dining experience, blending an 80s-inspired atmosphere with gourmet burgers and enticing milkshakes. The signature Beef Cheeseburger, with its thick, juicy patties, stands out as a recommended choice, and the overall ambiance and promotions contribute to a memorable visit. Whether seeking a casual meal or a place to unwind with craft beer, The Bank caters to varied preferences, making it a noteworthy addition to the Tanjong Pagar culinary scene.

This review is not sponsored by the establishment nor did they provide any editorial input or reimbursements into the content and outcome of this review. All meals were paid for in full out of my own pocket as a regular and anonymous patron.