Black Friar, Salford

I'd heard the Black Friar was more of a restaurant than a pub these days, but after years of closure I felt it worth a visit, even if for an unexciting pint, just to see what they've done with the place and show it some support. Unfortunately that turned out to be a complete waste of time. As we approached there was a bouncer on the door (not totally unexpected) who seemed to take some pleasure in telling us that they were not letting anyone else in as they would be closing soon. This was at 9:15pm and there were people still inside. I wasn't fully convinced by his claims and he seemed a bit smarmy, and to rub it in he suggested we try the Eagle instead. Perhaps I am mistaken and they were genuinely closing early, but the way he delivered the news makes me think otherwise. I wouldn't suggest you go too far out of your way to try this one, unless you have booked in advance for a meal!

You have to wonder what Alan Winfield would have made of it now. Detailed history in the previous review. I wish I had read it before trying to get a drink :-) It was the noise from the garden and the Boddingtons sign - ironically left attached - that led me through the front door. Met by a bouncer and a Maitre D'. This is one of the poshest restaurants that I have been to. In for a penny, in for a pound and only having had a wrap and monster munch for a long ago lunch, I regained my composure and asked for a table. The food and service were excellent. Won't say the overall cost but the steak doesnt and cannot come with chips. The sauteed potatoes are an extra £5. So, its not a pub - but if you are after a fine meal in lovely surroundings, this is s gem.

Official site of Black Friar - www.theblackfriarsalford.co.uk

The Black Friar was closed for around 15 years after suffering fire damage and with all the renovation going on in this area the only thing that saved it from being flattened was its Grade II listing status. Whether or not this place is still a pub is debatable. During my visit early on Wednesday afternoon I was actually looking for somewhere to have a pint and grab some food. However the prices on the menu soon put paid to that idea, Black Friar Burger - £18. This is fine for a nice meal out in a restaurant, but not when you’re just trying to grab a bit of scran late on a Wednesday afternoon to line your stomach before doing half a Winfield. The extension on the left of the pub means that this place can now host 220 diners. All of the tables I saw were set for dining, but some bar stools do line the bar counter in the right rear corner. I dodged the waitress by the door and headed straight to this bar where I was informed by the friendly barman that anyone was more than welcome to just have a beer. I’m not so sure this would be the case at a busier time when diners are waiting at the bar for their tables to become free, or having an after diner drink. The bar supports one hand pump that was drawing Moorhouse’s Blonde Witch. There are lots of keg pumps that were drawing a range of premium and craft keg. I went for a Seven Bro7hers Brewery Easy IPA. Others available were Camden Hells, Birra Moretti, Leffe Blonde, Menabrea, Beavertown Gamma Ray, Guinness and, for some reason, Boddingtons, as well as Orchard Pig Cider. Out the back is a patio garden for when the temperature picks up a bit. The doors open daily at noon and close at 22:00, 23:00 on Friday and Saturday. I would have no problem returning here for a meal with family or friends, but it’s not a pub or bar so I wouldn’t visit just for a beer again.

Official site of Black Friar - www.theblackfriarsalford.co.uk

The Black Friar was a large old pub that was situated on the corner of a busy road junction. Once inside the pub had a few different rooms,we had a drink in the bar which was pretty basic but still a decent enough room to have a few drinks in. When we went in this pub it was a Boddingtons tied house and there were two real ales on the bar we had a drink of Boddingtons bitter and this was a very nice drink the other beer was Boddingtons mild. It is a shame that a nice old pub like this has now closed down. Pub visited 12/11/1988