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Detail Pages
Blackfriars, Inverness
Inverness
IV1 1LU
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 8 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Colin Walker left this review about Blackfriars
Long before there was Blackfriars, the building in Academy Street, which was built around 1793, was originally used as a general provisions store and coffee house up until 1867, when it became Frasers Temperance Hotel. It continued to trade as “Frasers“ until about 1930 when it once again changed its name, trading as an Artisans bar named “The Academy Bar” with the Rose Street Foundry across the road now in full production. In 1964 the premises were bought by “Scottish and Newcastle Breweries”, renamed the Abertarff (a reference to the oldest house in Inverness built in 1593) and continued to trade being very popular with patrons and artists visiting “The Empire Theatre” a hundred yards up Academy Street. In 1986 the pub was renamed “The Rose and Thistle”. But this name lasted just two weeks before it was re-named again to “The Foundry”. Unfortunately this was just before the closure of the foundry across the road. Finally it was renamed “Blackfriars Highland Pub" and today after two hundred years it remains a landmark in the city. The place has been recommended by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) and listed in the Good Beer Guide 2010; Blackfriars is also holder of the prestigious Cask Marque award. There is a great choice of REAL ALES are available from Scottish breweries such as Scapa Special, Orkney Blast, Ossian and at least 4 more. There is also some from English breweries such as Okell's Dr.Okell IPA, Hook Norton Old Hooky and a few more to sample. There is a snack come lunch menu available and a main meal menu. The prices are similar to Glasgow prices. The place sits just over 100metres from the train station.
On 27th March 2015
- rating: 10
[User has posted 709 recommendations about 704 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Clive Thompson left this review about Blackfriars
Paid two weekday afternoon visits and was the only person in both times. Attractive old pub and interesting to have a look around. I had four different beers but only one of them made me think I'd want another. Thistly Cross ciders are served from boxes behind the bar.
On 19th May 2013
- rating: 6
[User has posted 777 recommendations about 697 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
E TA left this review about Blackfriars
Still one of Inverness's best pubs, the Blackfriars is a large, single large bar, basic decor and bare floor, slightly battered furniture and no frills. The building dates from around 1890, and it has been a pub since 1930. It was previously known as The Academy Bar, and before that was a temperance hostel, coffee house and general store. It's a regular live music venue and does decent bar food at a fair price. The staff were very welcoming, though the majority of the clientele were a bit dull. Three ales and a cider on, I had a pint of Orkney which as in excellent condition. I had forgotten how good this pub is since my last visit, but in future I shall make sure I come back when I'm in town.
On 28th November 2012
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3288 recommendations about 3253 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
David Ross left this review about Blackfriars
This vies with The Castle for the title of the city’s foremost real ale pub and certainly wins in terms of spaciousness. The layout and decor are still as described by the other reviewers. Available on hand pumps were Golden Amber, Autumn Red, Dark Munro (at £3.25 a pint), Ossian, Devil’s Advocate Black Lager and Thistly Cross cider. Guinness, Caledonian 80 Shilling, Kronenberg, Heineken and Fosters lagers and Strongbow cider were also on offer. There is a variety of live music, including jazz, Scottish, Irish and open mic. nights, as well as quiz and ceilidh nights. There is also an extensive food menu and wine list.
On 26th October 2012
- rating: 9
[User has posted 769 recommendations about 683 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Blackthorn _ left this review about Blackfriars
A good size, traditional pub located just off the main shopping street. It’s a single room, U-shape bar, with the left hand side geared up for bands, open mic nights, etc. with speakers and an open area in front.
The flooring is rough wood, and there is wood panelling to waist height around the walls. There’s a plethora of beer mats on the wall, presumably showcasing beers that have been served up here in the past. The wood panelled bar counter is at the back on the right. Adjacent to this is a fruit machine and a small fireplace with a wood burning stove. A solitary plasma was showing Sky News, but this was not obtrusive.
Music seems to feature quite prominently, with regular Saturday night band slots. These forthcoming acts were all detailed in the front of the menu which was unusual. Thursdays are also regular music nights, and often feature traditional accordions and bagpipes. This was the case on our visit, and the two guys on were very good, although they could do with improving their geographical knowledge if they’re going to converse with the audience (they thought Bristol was near East Anglia!).
There was a short “pub grub” menu, which was reasonable value with most of the mains being around the £7/£8 mark. There was also a small specials board. We both had the haggis, and this was a decent, enjoyable dish, and very generous portions.
Good choice of beers on tap with Thrappledouser, Deeside Pale Ale No. 3, Orkney Raven, Crofters Pale Ale and Caledonian’s Deuchars IPA and Nectar. These were all listed on a board, along with a “coming soon” listing. Ciders were Weston’s 1st Quality and Strongbow.
On 7th July 2011
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1950 recommendations about 1863 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
I L left this review about Blackfriars
One of the best pubs in Inverness in our opinion, this open plan pub has the pump clips from the hand pumps fixed all around the beams at high level. Both the Caledonian Autumn Red and the An Teallach Suilven ale were in good order. There were three other ales on during our visit. However there is a for sale sign out the front. Lets hope whoever takes over looks after it aswell as the current landlord.
On 17th October 2010
- rating: 8
[User has posted 287 recommendations about 284 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Old Boots left this review about Blackfriars
Billed as a “Highland Pub”, it comprises one big square room but is almost divided into four spaces, with an alcove to the front, the bar counter to the rear right, a performing space front left and another area to the left at the back. Low ceiling and bare boards with pump clips and beer mats lining the wall at picture rail height and beyond, there are a few pictures on the plain walls. Listed on the black board are the five beers mainly from smaller UK breweries and two ciders (both from Westons) which are served along with a standard range of kegs and a good selection of malts. Beers coming soon are listed on a separate blackboard. Furnishing is traditional brown wooden chairs and tables, the service is friendly, but there were not enough customers in to describe a typical one, although it is a music venue and of course custom will vary with the type of music being played. The beer quality was excellent and the pub is listed in the GBG 2010.
On 17th January 2010
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3275 recommendations about 2982 pubs]