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`THE SUMMER OF BODDIES’: THE WORLD’S OLDEST BODDINGTONS PUB WELCOMES BACK THE CREAM OF MANCHESTER

Bright brick pub named Black Friar decorated with large sunflowers in front of modern apartment buildings.

The Black Friar, a Salford institution and the oldest remaining Boddingtons pub in the world, has announced ‘The Summer of Boddies’. The season-long celebration marks the return of Boddingtons Cask to the pub complete with a spectacular floral installation and infused menu specials.

The announcement follows Manchester’s oldest brewery, JW Lees, relaunching Boddingtons cask ale last September –  bringing brewing back to the city after a 13-year absence  and quickly winning strong support from the city’s loyal publicans and drinkers. 

Located just a short distance from the original Boddingtons brewing site, The Black Friar was among the first pubs to serve the relaunched cask ale – a natural partnership given the pub’s deep historical ties to the brewery.

On 15th April, The Black Friar gets its Summer of Boddie’s transformation. Cheshire-based floral artist Kelly Louise Chapman is back, and after wowing guests across the city with her famous seasonal installations and By ‘eck! – she’s going bigger, bolder, and bloomier than ever before. 

Handcrafted sunflowers fill the pub from the exterior right through the venue, with a yellow and black theme to celebrate Boddingtons’ and Manchester’s worker bee. The centrepiece of the installation is a ten-foot sunflower, a vivid opening statement for The Summer of Boddies.

Bright yellow Boddingtons Cask Conditioned sign on a brick pub wall, with a beer barrel illustration and greenery in foreground.
Wooden beer cask mounted outside a brick pub, with yellow bands and the text 'CASK BY J.WLEES' on its front, against a brick wall and window.
Large bouquet of yellow sunflowers and greenery hanging from the ceiling in a plant-filled cafe.
Brick pub named Black Friar decorated with oversized yellow sunflowers on the façade, with a tall modern apartment building behind it in an urban street setting.
Bright brick pub named Black Friar decorated with large sunflowers in front of modern apartment buildings.
Hand holding a pint of amber beer with a foamy head, against a backdrop of bright sunflowers.
Woman wearing a leopard print shirt drinks beer from a glass outside a brick storefront with honeycomb decor and a sign that reads 'The Black Friar'.—
Two men toast with amber beers in a dim, cozy room with wooden chairs and a bookshelf backdrop.
Woman in a leopard-print dress drinks beer from a glass in a sunflower arch.

Bookings are now open for a Boddington’s inspired menu at The Black Friar, developed by head chef Ben Chaplin. Celebrating the Cask’s return to the pub, the menu showcases seasonal flavours and exciting new dishes, including: Boddington’s glazed short rib with pickled mooli and chilli salad, a Northumberland cheese toastie with Boddington pickle, 8oz aged British beef burger with Boddington’s rare bit and a rosemary Boddington’s polenta cake, served with crème fraiche.

Alongside the food, a selection of Boddington’s infused cocktails will feature on the menu:

  • D’ya Wanna Flake In That Love? – Boddington’s, Lemon Juice, Apple Juice, Honey, Salted Caramel Foam
  • By ‘Eck It’s Gorgeous – Peach Schnapps, Boddington’s, Lemon Juice, Apple Juice, Agave
  • Fancy a Top-Up Love? – Boddington’s, Earl Grey, Simple Syrup

The Black Friar will also be launching an exclusive six-course tasting menu, ‘The Cream of Manchester’, at £59 per person, with full details to be confirmed shortly.

Neil, Owner at The Black Friar, said: “The Black Friar and Boddingtons go back further than most people realise. This pub was built for Boddingtons’ workers, so when the cask came back, there was only one place it truly belonged. The Summer of Boddies is our way of celebrating that in proper Black Friar style, from Boddingtons specials in the kitchen, to Kelly’s installation outside.”

William Lees-Jones, Managing Director at JW Lees said: “We are incredibly proud to have brought Boddingtons back to its rightful Manchester home, especially as we are now able to stock the cask ale in local favourite pubs such as the Black Friar.

“The Summer of Boddies has been created to celebrate the city’s brilliant brewing history, a history in which Boddingtons and the Black Friar are each intertwined. Now customers can experience a little piece of this historic relationship this summer.” 

The grade II listed Black Friar dates back more than 200 years. Originally known as the School inn, the pub was rebuilt and renamed in 1886 after a fire, before suffering another blaze in 2001. Today, the beautifully restored venue boasts a cosy traditional pub, a grand glass dining room and a huge award-winning beer garden with outdoor tavern.

The Black Friar is located on Blackfriars Road, just a 10 minute walk from Deansgate. To book a table, head over to The Black Friars website at https://www.theblackfriarsalford.co.uk/bookings/.

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Carl Davison

Editor in Chief of Salford Media, won an award for something or other and has been banging on about it ever since. He also has type 1 diabetes but doesn't like to talk about it... much.