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Chat about:
Yet another list with Tris39
on the Pub Forum
Detail Pages
The Black Friar, Blackfriars, EC4
EC4
EC4V 4EG
Pub Type
Nicholsons (Mitchells & Butlers)Reviews (Current Rating Average: 8 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about The Black Friar
As others before me have intimated, this pub boasts some of the most spectacular, and probably expensive, pub interiors around. The pub itself dates from around 1875, but the remodelled interior of around 1905 is what makes it so special. This was hailed as one of the new breed of pub, being light and humorous and the sort of place a gentleman could bring his wife, in contrast to the perceived decadence of its Victorian predecessors. It didn’t really catch on though, which is why there are so few of these sorts of places around; in fact the Black Friar is largely unique. The marble cladding of the cloistered drinking area at the back of the main bar would effectively be prohibitively expensive nowadays. It was threatened with demolition back in the 60s, but a campaign, led by John Betjeman, that champion of our architectural heritage, achieved its salvation.
I know others have been a bit unimpressed by its ale selection, but whenever I have visited I have found something worth drinking. I think it’s a comfortable enough place to stop off for a pint, but it does get busy at times, so choose your time well if you want to have the freedom to have a good look at the interior.
On 22nd July 2010
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2621 recommendations about 2536 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about The Blackfriar
One of the great pub interiors,with alcove seating and drinking areas wrapped around a bar with a marble top .The beer range has expanded with 7 real ales ,a number of which change on a regular basis judging by the collection of pump clips.TT Landlord and Golden Best both well kept and the Harviestoun Bitter and Twisted was in great nick and proved a top session ale.Although we didnt eat,the food seemed popular and looked OK.Good pub on a warm evening due to a large outside seating area which is a good distance from the busy roads nearby.Bar staff efficient even when the pub is busy.Lively ,friendly atmosphere inside the pub and definately worth another visit.
On 23rd February 2010
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3178 recommendations about 3178 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
john mcgraw left this review about The Blackfriar
Part of this pub is like being in a church.It's like stepping back in time.Plenty of tourists and good beer, especially Landlord.A good pub to visit.Opposite Blackfriars station.
On 1st March 2007
- rating: 10
[User has posted 2044 recommendations about 2025 pubs]