Blackfriars

One of the longest-established bars in the Merchant City area, Blackfriars looks far from new or plush these days but it has good beer, a bar menu and a multifunctional basement that is used for everything from dance classes to music nights. The main bar on the ground floor has mismatched wooden chairs, wooden tables, a wooden floor and some booth seating where you can sit with your burger, steak and ale pie or fish and chips. This is also where you come to try one of the five ever-changing cask ales on tap which might include Scottish varieties like Orkney IPA from Highland Brewing, Simcoe Burst from Alechemy or Cart Noir, a porter from Kelburn. In addition, Blackfriars has other draught beers and a rotating selection in bottles from near and far – Siren Craft Brew of Berkshire for example, or the Redchurch Brewery of London.