A POPULAR town centre micro-brewery bar is opening a new tap house later this week as the business continues to go from strength to strength.

Northern Monkey Brew Co., run by Liam Convery, Ryan Bailey, and Kevin Barber, and who's bar Northern Monkey in Nelson Square in the town centre has been open for a number of years now, have acquired a site in Chorley Street, allowing them to double their brewing capacity.

The site won't just act as a brewery to help meet increasing demand for their beers, this will also act as a tap house bar to sample their beers on site.

The Bolton News: The mural at the new Northern Monkey tap house in Chorley Street, BoltonThe mural at the new Northern Monkey tap house in Chorley Street, Bolton

The pair and the rest of the team has been working flat out over the last few months to get the site ready, also enlisting the support of local artist Kazer Graff, who painted the mural on Sweet Green Tavern, to paint a Northern Monkey themed Bolton inspired mural inside the tap house.

Everything inside the new tap house is ready to go, with Northern Monkey's own on-site brewed beers and guest ales from Bolton and beyond on tap, and pool table ready to launch this Friday.

The Bolton News: Co-owner of Northern Monkey, Ryan Bailey, playing pool at the new Northern Monkey tap house in Chorley Street, BoltonCo-owner of Northern Monkey, Ryan Bailey, playing pool at the new Northern Monkey tap house in Chorley Street, Bolton

The team tested out the site themselves last Tuesday with family and friends and say they are "super excited" to finally be able to open to the public this week.

Ryan said: "We definitely wanted better news regarding the easing of lockdown but we are still really excited to have people try out the new tap house.

"We feel we've given it the 'Northern Monkey' feel and Friday should be a great day.

The Bolton News: The new Northern Monkey tap house in Chorley Street, BoltonThe new Northern Monkey tap house in Chorley Street, Bolton

"It was really great to get Kazer Graff on board for the mural, he's done such a great job. It needs to be seen in person as pictures just really don't do it justice.

"We hope the tap room can offer a really good and relaxed vibe for people to come to on a weekend and try new beers.

"The beers will be poured straight from being brewed into the taps so will be as fresh as possible.

The Bolton News: The new Northern Monkey tap house in Chorley Street, BoltonThe new Northern Monkey tap house in Chorley Street, Bolton

"We are really excited for the opening."

Ryan added that the new site will only open on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in order to concentrate on the brewing of the beers and the Nelson Square bar the rest of the week.

The new tap house will only be accepting walk-ins with no time limit on table times.

The team are also considering options regarding the 'Monkey in the Woods' beer festival set to be held at Barrow Bridge car park on July 3 due to the delaying of coronavirus restrictions easing with an announcement set to be made soon.

The Bolton News: CHEERS: The Northern Monkey tap house in Chorley Street, Bolton, with co-owner Ryan Bailey top right