The Blackfriar Pub ☆☆

A bar at the Blackfriars (Photo by Eric Parker)
A bar at the Blackfriars
A bar at the Blackfriars, Blackfriar Pub, London (Photo by Eric Parker)
A bar at the Blackfriars, Blackfriar Pub, London (Photo by Edrwardx)
The wedge-shaped pub, Blackfriar Pub, London (Photo by Steve Keiretsu)
The pub at night, Blackfriar Pub, London (Photo by Eric Michiels)
The entrance to the dining room, Blackfriar Pub, London (Photo by Edwardx)
Art Nouveau stained glass, Blackfriar Pub, London (Photo by Love Art Nouveau)
Art Nouveau decor, Blackfriar Pub, London (Photo by Ewan Munro)

A friendly, gorgeously Art Nouveau pub by the Blackfriars Bridge

This wedge-shaped, Art Nouveau pub was built in 1875 but remodeled in 1905 by Herbert Fuller-Clark in full-bore Arts & Crafts/Art Nouvreau style.

It sits on the site of a Dominican monastery—hence the name, and the theme of jolly monks carved in low relief (by Henry Poole) that watch over the punters inside, along with sung booths, a merrily crackling fireplace, and fabuous Nouveau mosaics and brass letters set into the marble lintels spelling out such beery homilies as "Haste Is Slow," "Wisdom is Rare," and "Finery is Foolery."

One of London's dozens of Nicholson's Pub, the Blackfriars does Real Ales, with a rotating cast of cask ales, bitters, porters, and more from across britain, and the pub grub is actually pretty good (classic like steak and ale pies and fish and chips, but also a wild boar and chorizo burger).

Pub & ale tours links