The history of The Black Friar, one of Salford’s oldest hostels, has been somewhat tumultuous. Built in the 1800s, it’s taken on many guises, been burned down, crashed into and befallen all manner of other misfortunes, before being left empty for nearly two decades.
Its motto, inscribed in the masonry, declares the slightly unambitious ‘you may go further and fare far worse’. You may indeed.
But its most recent incarnation, this wonky, slightly ramshackle pub has been restored to its former glory, and now it sits proudly, guarded on either side by the modern residential development that’s given it a new lease of life. And what a local they’ve got on their doorstep.
The Black Friar boasts one of the best beer gardens in all of the city – transformed all year round from sun trap in the summer to a winter wonderland at Christmas. Inside, The interior splits between the classic charm of the pub – carefully preserved – and a contemporary open plan dining section with a checkerboard flooring, a skylight-styled ceiling and an exposed kitchen.
Fabulous and homely things come out of that kitchen too – with Observer critic Jay Rayner among the first to give this boozer a glowing recommendation, soon after it re-opened in 2021, when chef Ben Chaplin unveiled a wealth of pub and bistro classics done absolutely right (Rayner called the cooking ‘big, bullish and beautiful’).
Everything from the grill is deftly executed, the Sunday roast is among the most reliable in town, and the beer to accompany it all is anchored by the steadying influence of a solid pint of Boddingtons (there are cocktails and excellent wines too, fear not). The pies are a thing of great beauty, crammed with good things, and coming flanked with silken mash and a pot of gravy. A better example of the pastry art form you would struggle to find. And isn’t that the measure of a fine pub? If so, The Black Friar is a very fine pub indeed.
