Top 10 Pubs in Salford – Canal-Side Gems & Community Locals

Salford, often overshadowed by its big neighbour Manchester, has a pub scene that’s both vibrant and authentic. From historic town-centre locals to waterside eateries on the Bridgewater Canal, the city offers a surprising variety of watering holes. Our list of the top 10 pubs in Salford (Greater Manchester) mixes cosy community pubs, modern craft-beer spots, and charming canal-side venues. Whether you’re after well-kept real ale, hearty pub grub, or live-music nights, these pubs capture Salford’s friendly vibe and rich heritage.

The Black Friar (Greengate, Salford)

The Black Friar is a restored Victorian pub (built 1886) that lay empty for over 15 years before a £1.4m renovation in 2021. Visit Salford notes it was “resurrected in 2021” into “a true harmony of old and new”. The red-brick exterior and cosy interior blend traditional charm with contemporary touches. The Black Friar serves classic pub fare in the main bar and a more upscale menu in the adjacent “Glass Room.” In warm weather, locals relax in the award-winning garden tavern by the River Irwell. The atmosphere is warm and authentic – it feels like a genuine local pub despite the slick makeover.

The Eagle Inn (Collier Street, Salford)

Tucked away on Collier Street, the Eagle Inn is a Grade-II listed Edwardian pub known for its live music and old-school feel. CAMRA calls it “a Grade II award winning pub” with “three rooms off a central corridor”. Its charm comes from the attached music venue, where punk bands, jazz nights, and acoustic sets are common. The front bar remains snug, serving cask ales from Joseph Holt (often alongside a Bootleg brew or Old Rosie cider). Historic England even notes the Eagle is “of special architectural interest” as a “little-altered late C19 back-street public house” – a once-common pub style now increasingly rare. Between its vintage fittings and upbeat live shows, the Eagle is a genuine Salford gem.

Egerton Arms (Gore Street, Salford)

An old-school pub next to Salford Central station, the Egerton Arms feels like stepping into a classic Victorian local. There’s been a pub here since 1841, and today it’s an independent free house offering up to four rotating guest alessalford.camra.org.uk alongside its regular bitter. The interior is straightforward – two bar rooms with a corridor down the middle – and you’ll even find a pool table and TV in the back vault. The Egerton serves pub lunches and is famous for its bargain curry night on Wednesdays. Ten cosy rooms upstairs make it half pub, half inn. It’s not fancy, but that’s its appeal: a friendly spot where commuters and students alike can enjoy a well-kept pint.

Kings Arms (Bloom Street, Salford)

Bloom Street’s Kings Arms is a lively community pub. One highlight is its own “Queen’s Legs” bitter, brewed just for them by local Strange Times Brewery. Beyond the beer, the pub runs a busy events calendar: quiz nights, a needlecraft club, movie screenings in the snug, and even small theatre performances upstairs. Because it’s community-owned, the Kings Arms has a true local feel – exactly the kind of friendly pub where staff know your name. It’s an old-fashioned Salford pub at heart, brimming with character and community spirit.

The New Oxford (Bexley Square, Salford)

Once hidden in plain sight, The New Oxford has quietly become one of Salford’s best-loved pubs. Inside it’s “full of thoughtful design – Irish fittings, vintage flair, and an island bar that always seems to draw good company”. This red-brick 1830s corner pub has vintage seating, stained glass, and an island bar packed with handpumps. CAMRA notes it usually offers 10–11 cask ales on tap and even dozens of bottled Belgian beers. The atmosphere is convivial and unpretentious, with locals often spilling onto the small terrace in sunshine. If you’re after a top-quality pint of bitter or craft ale, The New Oxford’s dedication to well-kept beer and cosy charm makes it easy to linger.

Old Pint Pot (Adelphi Street, Salford)

Across from Salford University, the Old Pint Pot is a large split-level pub popular with students and young professionals. It features bars on two levels and a handful of handpumps serving rotating real ales. A standout is the outdoor terrace at the rear – it overlooks the horseshoe bend of the River Irwell. On sunny days this riverside patio fills up with drinkers enjoying the view. Inside, the vibe is upbeat – students chat over ales and sports often play on TV. It has an energetic crowd, but it’s a great place to grab a modern pub pint with river views.

The Moorings (Boothstown Marina, Salford)

Right beside Boothstown Marina on the Bridgewater Canal, The Moorings is a spacious pub-restaurant with a relaxed, family-friendly vibe. Salford CAMRA describes it as a “large and modern canal side pub” with an outdoor patio overlooking the canal. By day it attracts boaters and families; by night it’s a quiet spot for a drink. The big draw is the canal-side terrace – on warm evenings locals spill outside with their pints. The pub was recently renovated and is now part of Greene King’s Fayre & Square chain, though the canal-side setting feels unchanged. It may lean more towards restaurant food than many city boozers, but the beer list is solid. For a canal-side pint (or a Sunday roast) with water views, The Moorings is hard to beat.

Beer Studio (Kansas Avenue, Salford Quays)

For craft-beer fans, Beer Studio is a hidden gem. It’s the taproom for Hydes Brewery, tucked away in MediaCity. As CAMRA notes, it “brews limited run beers” on site. The space is modern and minimalist – think communal tables, rotating casks, and a quiet, almost private vibe. It’s only open to members or on special events, but when it is you can sample experimental Hydes ales not found elsewhere. It’s not an everyday pub, but this under-the-radar brewery taproom proves that Salford’s beer scene includes more than just traditional boozers.

The Matchstick Man (Capital Quay, Salford Quays)

The Matchstick Man is a standard family-friendly pub by Greene King, near The Lowry and the Imperial War Museum North. It’s spacious with separate drinking and dining areas, plus an upstairs restaurant. On tap you’ll find Greene King IPA, Abbot Ale, and Old Speckled Hen, along with popular lagers. One side is a casual bar and the other a restaurant section. Expect TVs for sports and a menu of pub-grub staples – it’s not quirky, but it’s a reliable spot for groups or families. In short, the Matchstick Man delivers the familiar basics of a Greater Manchester chain pub in a convenient Quays location.

Salmon of Knowledge (MediaCity Dockhouse, Salford Quays)

The Salmon of Knowledge is a relatively new Irish-themed pub at MediaCity, taking over the old Dockyard site in 2025. It reopened with green décor and a sports-bar feel. As Salford CAMRA notes, “the bar area features green lighting and several large screens showing sport”. Inside you’ll find a lively atmosphere with Guinness on tap and Irish pub food (from burgers to boxty). It’s the sort of place to catch a game or enjoy live music. Loud and modern, it offers a different flavour from the quieter locals, but it’s now one of Salford’s main drinking spots.

Exploring Salford’s Pubs

Overall, Salford’s pub scene offers surprising variety for a city just outside central Manchester. Each pub here has its own character, but what ties them together is a sense of community and flavour. Whether it’s a locals’ quiz night, an award-winning garden, or simply a well-kept pint, these pubs show that Salford has plenty to shout about on the Greater Manchester pub map. Next time you’re around the Quays, Ordsall, or Broughton, pop into one of these spots and soak up that authentic Salford atmosphere.