After 15 long years of being boarded up, Salford’s historic Black Friar pub will welcome punters back through its doors next month.
The legendary venue has already been a local favourite for well over a century, but now there’s a new interior, a new team, and a new menu to go along with the owners’ ambitions to become a popular destination pub for residents and visitors alike.
Being both a traditional pub and modern restaurant at the same time, customers can enjoy a pint and a quick bite with no pre-booking required, or they can opt for more of a gastronomic experience in the modern glass restaurant surrounded by greenery – which has been created as part of the restoration that features an open kitchen and 70 covers.
The transformation doesn’t stop there though, as on the second floor, there is additional room for a further 40 covers, on the third floor there’ll be a private dining room for special events, celebrations and corporate get-togethers.
The owners are keen to made the pub a popular destination for all / Credit: The Black Friar Salford
And when the Manchester sunshine graces us with its presence, customers can head out to the courtyard area for a drink or a bite to eat.
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Black Friar’s head chef Ben Chaplin – who was previously at 20 Stories – has created two brand-new menus, with the pub and courtyard offering more relaxed and informal small plates to share, as well as classic pub dishes, while the restaurant has a more “elevated” menu, offering a twist on popular British classics and a focus on locally-sourced food.
There is also a breakfast menu too, which will be available at weekends from 9am – 11.30am.
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A couple of the stand-out dishes on the menu include a daily pie, Boddingtons battered fish and chips, and a local cheeseboard – all of which pay homage to the pub’s local roots.
“Everyone who used to frequent the Black Friar has a story to tell.” / Credit: Google Maps
“The Black Friar has a lot of historical significance in Salford [and] everyone who used to frequent it has a story to tell.” said Managing Director, Neil Burke.
“We want it to have that impact again [and] become everyone’s local, but also a real destination where you’re guaranteed really good food, a welcoming atmosphere, and a place where you feel just at home nipping in for a pint as you do sitting down for a fantastic three course dinner.”
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If you’re keen to get in on the action, you’ll want to follow @theblackfriarsalford on social media to find out opening hours, menus and when the pre-booking link goes live.
You can also check out the new Black Friar website here.
Featured Image – Google Maps
Eats
First look inside Social Osteria, Stockport’s buzzy new Italian restaurant
Lydia Mastrolonardo
That’s right Stopfordians – we’re gaining yet another brand new addition to our town’s blooming food and drink scene, as Social Osteria opens its doors at Weir Mill.
It’s safe to say we’re in good hands, with the geniuses behind The Social Trattoria, named best Trattoria at the Italian Awards UK 2025, being the ones to bring this new taste of Italy to South Manchester.
Just because we are no longer experiencing the weather to match an Italian summer, doesn’t mean we can’t continue eating like we’re there.
Social Osteria can now be found overlooking the River Mersey, as a beautiful 2,000 sq ft space within the buzzing new canalside development, fully equipped with the classic exposed red brickwork, vaulted ceilings and even the restored original kiln.
As you approach the restaurant, you are greeted by a sunken courtyard and riverside seating, making for the perfect alfresco dining spot, when the warmer weather finally rolls back around.
With the meaning of Osteria being an Italian tavern, for locals to gather and enjoy each other’s company, good wine and honest, flavourful food – the team have stayed true to the name. You can expect dim, ambient lighting, an open kitchen, fresh small plates, flavourful 48-hour pizzas, and traditional pasta.
Vibrant dishes at Social Osteria in Stockport. Credit: The Manc Group
This glamorous new restaurant is promising a spectacular menu, from cacio e pepe butter beans to guanciale topped pizzas and their very own slow-cooked beef shin and pork shoulder paccheri ragu, you know we’re in the right place.
With Italian food running in the family, the team’s cooking practices are rooted in traditional methods, passed down through the generations and then presented to us, with the freshest of ingredients.
It suits Capital&Centric, who’ve taken the same approach to Weir Mill itself – embracing the character of the historic mill whilst transforming it into a vibrant community, for generations to come.
Inside Social Osteria at Weir Mill. Credit: The Manc Group
Set below Stockport’s iconic viaduct, the £60m neighbourhood is now home to 253 apartments alongside bustling cafés, wine bars and stunning restaurants akin to Social Osteria, accompanied by plenty of outdoor seating, green spaces, and riverside viewpoints.
Where Osteria Social now calls home is part of Stockport’s £1 billion Town Centre West masterplan, adding to the town’s growing reputation as one of the best locations to live in the UK.
Social Osteria will officially open Thursday 22 October, at Weir Mill. Be sure to book your tables early as we fear this one might get a little booked up.
Traitors star and comedian Joe Lycett is putting cash behind the bar at two Manchester pubs
Daisy Jackson
Comedian Joe Lycett is putting money behind the bar at two Manchester pubs this week, as he continues to encourage people to get out and support their local boozers.
The TV favourite – who is also currently one of the stars on The Traitors – announced the news as he bid farewell to his fictional TV pub The Lycett Arms.
On the show, he said: “There are 45,000 pubs in the UK – go and give them some love.”
Joe Lycett then proceeded to list 30 brilliant pubs up and down the country, including two in Manchester, and announced that the drinks are on him this week.
He told audiences: “[This] Friday I’ll be putting a little bit of money behind the bar in all the pubs you’ve just seen. I hope you can have a drink on me.”
The pubs he picked out in Manchester are the iconic old boozer The Peveril of the Peak, and the excellent pub and comedy venue The Old Monkey.
The Peveril of the Peak on Great Bridgewater Street is a real icon in the city centre, with its green tiled exterior and its cosy interiors.
Until recently, it was run by legendary local landlady Nancy Swanick, who died in July at the age of 96.
The Peveril of the Peak pub in ManchesterInside The Pev
Commenting on Joe Lycett’s post about his pub offer, they wrote: “You are all more than welcome at The Pev. Give me a shout and I will sort you out with a pie, Joe.”
The Old Monkey, meanwhile, is famed for its comedy nights run by Trapdoor Comedy Club, and for its open mic sessions, as well as award-winning beers.
The Portland Street pub has also very kindly agreed to match Joe Lycett’s donation, which means double the budget for pints for Mancs.
Emily Sergeant -
17th June 2021 
