A POPULAR Bolton brewery is behind the town centre’s latest bar.

Northern Monkey have moved into a location on Nelson Square, where drinkers will be able to taste craft ales brewed on-site.

The company was started by a pair of friends from Bolton, Ryan Bailey and Liam Convey, who originally brewed their drinks in an extension built on Mr Bailey’s Astley Bridge home.

However, the endeavour has since grown in size and, along with business partner Kevin Barber, the pair provide their own selection of more than 15 beers to around 200 bars and restaurants across the country.

Speaking ahead of Northern Monkey’s grand opening today, Mr Bailey said he was “excited” for the bar to begin its trade.

He said: “We had been looking around the town for somewhere local. We were first looking for a place to put the brewery, but we looked at this place and realised we could open a bar ourselves.

“It’s been six weeks of building so we are excited to get on with it now.”

Situated on the site of former Italian restaurant, La Piazza, the new bar has been completely renovated, with an updated, modern look and space for brewing equipment to be kept in the same room that people will sit and drink.

The location will also host music, with Northern Monkey planning a range of mostly acoustic acts, including a local duo who will play at today’s opening.

There are plans for the future too, with Mr Bailey saying he hopes that the venue can begin serving food as well as drinks.

Currently, drinkers will have access to eight ales, four made on site and four more guest ales, all of which will rotate regularly. There will also be two Northern Monkey cask ales and two guest equivalents, as well as a house lager.

Today’s grand opening begins at noon and the bar will stay open until 1am - with last orders at midnight. These hours will continue regularly on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with the venue closing an hour earlier on all other days.

If you like craft brews and are interested in heading down to the new bar, you can find out more online by searching for Northern Monkey Brew Co.on Twitter or Facebook.