An Art Nouveau fantasy wedged into a wedge-shaped building by Blackfriars station — bronze friars, marble columns and mosaic ceilings, all built around 1905 to celebrate the Dominican priory that once stood on the site. It survived a 1960s demolition threat only because Sir John Betjeman led the campaign to save it, and the City has been grateful for a proper drink inside a proper piece of architecture ever since.
Location
174 Queen Victoria Street
City of London, London
City of London, London
art-nouveau1905betjeman-savedblackfriarsarchitecture
Map
Insider Intel
Order This
A cask ale in the back room under the mosaic ceiling — the room does the rest of the work.
Best Time
After work, when the City crowd files in and the marble catches the evening light.
Know Before You Go
An Art Nouveau pub saved from demolition by John Betjeman's campaign — walk all the way to the back room for the full decor.