Built in 1875 near the site of a 13th-century Dominican priory from which the area (and this pub) takes it name, the Black Friar looks strangely interesting from the outside (with its mosaics and statue of a rotund and jolly friar above the main door). However, nothing will quite prepare the visitor for the extraordinary interior. Somewhat reminiscent of an ornate medieval church, marble-clad walls, mosaics and bas-relief bronzes depict merry monks and carry mottos such as “don’t advertise, tell a gossip”. Begun in 1904, the décor is a forerunner to Art Noveau. It’s a real arts and crafts extravaganza with the intricacy of the work, humour of the subjects and sheer bizarreness of the whole thing making for an engaging pint.