Just yards away from Blackfriars Bridge, this jolly friar stands guard above an Art Nouveau Grade II listed pub – perfect for a bit of culture alongside your chosen libation.
The pub was built in 1875 on the site of a Dominican friary, which stood here from 1279 to 1539 . It is now protected as a listed building but we also owe its continued existence to John Betjeman who campaigned successfully for its salvation in the 1960s.
It was remodelled in 1905 by architect H. Fuller-Clark and artist Henry Poole, both keen exponents of the Arts and Crafts Movement. A multitude of friars feature in windows, sculptures and copper reliefs inside the pub.
The friendly staff serve a good selection of beers, wines and other drinks. They change their ales regularly and they offer an App and a newsletter to help you stay up-to-date. They also feature a Durham ale that I’m quite partial too: Sonnet 43 American Pale Ale.
I haven’t eaten here (you can see my priorities!) so I can’t vouch for the food, but the cosy restaurant area at the back of the pub certainly looks very inviting.
Travel with Intent 
Looks like a wonderful pub! Hope to visit..if I can make it to London this year. Pictures are lovely.
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Very interesting to read the background to the Blackfriars Bridge area 🙂 I’ll be in London in April always like to know about any pubs I’ve yet to visit! Great photos thanks for sharing all the info! 🙂
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That’s good, hope you enjoy it. There’s a visitors’ book which should be fun to read – it was a new one for 2015 so not much in it yet.
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I love your photos and the info. It is nice to know how the places get their names.
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Yes, it’s strange. You get so used to saying names that you don’t often think about the makeup
On Thu, Jan 29, 2015 at 9:52 PM, Travel with Intent wrote:
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Pubs in London aren’t usually top of my list when visiting the UK but if we were ever in the neighbourhood I’d certainly see about popping into this one. Love that stained glass depiction of the monk – good on them for preserving it.
Cathy
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They can be a good place to get local info – either from the staff or the regulars. though here you’re more likely to meet other tourists than regulars.
On Thu, Jan 29, 2015 at 9:23 PM, Travel with Intent wrote:
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Darn! Missed this one 🙂 🙂
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Oh yes, you weren’t too far away. Next time! I’ve walked past it loads of times but I had time to fill in between meetings on Wednesday so popped in for a coffee (yes, honest!)
On Thu, Jan 29, 2015 at 8:56 PM, Travel with Intent wrote:
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I love it when forward thinking people preserve evidence of history. What a lovely blast from the past we can all enjoy. I’ll be sure to stop by next time I’m in London. 🙂
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I was pleasantly surprised when I went inside. Often pubs promise more from outside than they actually deliver!
On Thu, Jan 29, 2015 at 7:53 PM, Travel with Intent wrote:
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What an awesome place. I’m going to look for it on my next visit to London.
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Oh do! It’s right next to the north bank exit of Blackfriars Station.
On Thu, Jan 29, 2015 at 2:54 PM, Travel with Intent wrote:
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