A new Irish pub behind a butcher shop promises 'craic and crackling' as it prepares to open in the city.

The Butcher Bhoy opens this Friday, October 19 behind the Blofield Farm Shop in Exchange Street and will play live music and sport.

The pub, which has opened in the former home of Woolf and Bird fried chicken restaurant, and will serve a range of Irish beers, ciders and whiskies alongside a traditional food menu.

The new pub and Blofield Farm Shop are both owned by Marcus Pearcey and he approached Aidan Mahon in April to consult on the project.

Mr Mahon is a familiar face in Norwich as he ran Delaney's Pub, which is now St Andrew's Brewhouse, from 2000 to 2006.

Norwich Evening News: Aidan Mahon who runs the Butcher Bhoy, outside the entrance Credit: Ella WilkinsonAidan Mahon who runs the Butcher Bhoy, outside the entrance Credit: Ella Wilkinson (Image: Archant)

Mr Mahon said: 'The pub is designed to have a theatre aspect behind it so you walk through the butcher shop and come in through a back alleyway between two houses then come through the pub to a music section with a stage and lyrics from Irish musicians on the wall.

'We've got traditional Irish bands lined up over the next couple of months such as The Rum Dogs which are Pogues-esque.

READ MORE: An Irish pub is set to open its doors in Norwich'The next section has an open glass cellar and rural Ireland theme, then there is a sports section with Irish rugby memorabilia.

'We use meat from the butcher shop in the kitchen and a lot of gastropubs in Norwich are expensive and you'll get a couple of pints and meals for thirty, forty quid whereas our basic menu will start from £3.95 and you can have a sandwich and a pint for a tenner.'

The pub will use Irish soda bread and blaa, which is a big soft bap, and they also have Guinness pumps and are tied to St James' Gate in Dublin so will be one of the first in the UK to get new products.

Mr Mahon, originally from Ireland, has lived in Norwich since 1999 and before that opened Irish bars in Australia.

Mr Mahon added: 'I used to have Delaney's and it was one of the busiest pubs in Norwich and since it closed there hasn't been an Irish pub since.

READ MORE: Let's Eat Grandma win Q Magazine album of the year award'I just think the city is yearning uot for one, it's got the oldest Irish society in Great Britain founded in the 1800s and there is a massive Irish community and students come from Ireland to UEA too.

'The pub really has a proper Irish feel to it and we are lucky with the shape of the building as it's got nooks and crannies and is an awkward shape which lends itself to being a beautiful Irish pub.'

The pub opens this Friday from 8.30am and will be open seven days a week.