The Black Friar, Queen Victoria Street 1975

The Black Friar is one of the most distinctive and historic pubs in central London, renowned for its striking Art Nouveau design and its connection to the area’s monastic past.

🍻 The Black Friar – A Historic London Pub

• Name: The Black Friar

• Location: 174 Queen Victoria Street, at the junction with New Bridge Street

• Borough: City of London

• Nearest station: Blackfriars

🏛 Origins and Architecture

The pub stands on the site of a former Dominican friary established in the 13th century. The friars, known for wearing black robes, gave the surrounding area and nearby Blackfriars Bridge their name.

• Built: Circa 1875

• Remodelled: In 1905 by architect Herbert Fuller-Clark

• Interior design: Led by sculptor Henry Poole, the pub is a masterpiece of Art Nouveau and Arts and Crafts design, filled with:

  • Ornate copper reliefs

  • Carved friars in humorous poses

  • Mosaic floors and walls

  • Marble panelling

  • Stained glass and whimsical detailing

Despite its small size, the pub is rich in character and design flourishes, making it feel more like a chapel or theatrical set than a traditional drinking house.

⛪ Connection to Blackfriars Monastery

The pub’s name and design pay homage to the Dominican Black Friars who occupied a large priory nearby from 1276 until the Dissolution of the Monasteries under Henry VIII. The priory was once one of the most important in London and even hosted Parliament meetings in medieval times.

🏛 Preservation and Legacy

• The Black Friar was nearly demolished in the 1960s but was saved after a campaign led by poet Sir John Betjeman.

• It is now a Grade II listed building*, protected for its unique architectural and historical value.

• It remains a functioning pub, managed by Nicholson’s (part of the Mitchells & Butlers group), and is a popular stop for tourists and heritage lovers.

📍 Today

The Black Friar stands out amidst the modern offices and traffic around Blackfriars Station. Its wedge-shaped footprint and ornate façade make it instantly recognisable. Whether you’re drawn by its beer selection or its artistic interior, it offers one of the most atmospheric pub experiences in the City.