Not already a member?
Join our community and
- Rate & review pubs
- Upload pictures
- Add events
JOIN for free NOW
Chat about:
Reviewing milestone with ETA
on the Pub Forum
Detail Pages
The Smithfield, Hanley, Stoke-On-Trent
Stoke-On-Trent
ST1 3DE
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Al Bundy left this review about The Smithfield
One of the better pubs in Hanley. By the bus station it has 10 handpumps of which 8 were on. 2 rooms with a main lounge and a bar with pool table. A good pub.
On 29th June 2015
- rating: 9
[User has posted 3487 recommendations about 3390 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Gill Smith left this review about The Smithfield
A group of us called in here last Wednesday, and it looked a popular friendly pub with a range of real ales. We chose one from a brewery new to us, Weal Ales Wheels in Motion along with Joules Pale Ale. The Joules was superb. I had a wander round and found friendly locals in the bar on the right, and a decent sized area outside at the back.
On 17th November 2014
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1339 recommendations about 1222 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Thuck Phat left this review about The Smithfield
As previous reviewers have noted, this is now from the same stable as The Wellington and Post Office Vaults in Birmingham so hopes were high.
Mr. F. accurately describes the pub itself so I won't repeat the details other than to echo the view that the interior is a modern, hollowed out open plan affair with just the bar complete pub games including pool to add character. Something of a let down given the imposing Victorian exterior.
The welcome was warm though and the atmosphere here is good with both bar and lounge areas reasonably busy with people boozing and eating.
Ten handpumps offered Pedigree, Oakham Citra, Castle Rock Harvest Pale and Black Gold as regulars with guests being Alton Peakstones Rock Black Hole and Dark Star Hophead in addition to a real cider and a perry. A wide enough selection but not featuring the sort of breweries that you regularly find in the Welly and the Citra was drinkable but lifeless.
I can't knock The Smithfield as it's ale offer is now much improved but there's some way to go before it achieves the heights of its sister establishments. I look forward to visiting again when I'm sure that it will be better again.
On 27th May 2014
- rating: 6
[User has posted 679 recommendations about 678 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about The Smithfield Hotel
Now billed as "The Potteries newest real ale pub",but still a work in progress and seemingly little has changed to the appearance since it's days as a food orientated bar.The modern etched glass and the upvc windows dont inspire,but at least there is a two room set up with the public bar ,pool table,gaming machines and flatscreen to the right of the entrance.To the left is a laminated floor around the serving bar,a raised section with dining type tables and an rear section with two large dining tables for bigger groups.A function room can be hired.The decor is modern and a bit souless but the photos hanging on the wall of bygone days in Hanley add some character.Friendly service from behind the bar,always a plus point with tasters given to aid ale choice.
The big change is the 10 handpumps,a selection of good keg beers and a belgian bottled selection from the fridge.The pub is owned by the guv'nor of the Wellington and Post Office Vaults in Birmingham,but the ale range is more modest here.The blackboard on entry to the lounge is a bit of a tease as it lists ales that may be coming soon,but no indication of when.The actual range on my Wednesday evening trip feature few of these exciting brews although with a few pumps unclipped,it is possible the range will expand into a weekend.There are four regular ales always on in Castle Rock Harvest Pale and Black Gold,Marston's Pedigree and Oakham Citra (fine but I've had better) while the "guests" on my trip included an Abbeydale Stout and Dark Star Hophead.Two other handpumps were devoted to a real cider and perry.Food is available midday until 7pm,Sunday until 4pm.
It hasnt been open long and may take time to develop a strong following ,but this is a good addition to the Hanley real ale scene and a decent double header with the excellent Coachmakers nearby.
On 17th May 2014
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2737 recommendations about 2737 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
hondo . left this review about The Smithfield Hotel
Drinkers toasted the opening of a new real ale pub – with pint after pint of free beer.
A last-minute licensing mix-up left landlord Nigel Barker unable to sell alcohol at his opening night party for The Smithfield in Hanley. So, instead, he gave the booze away for nothing.
Now Nigel, who has worked in the trade since 1976, plans to reopen the pub next Thursday on a temporary licence until he can sort out a permanent solution.
He hopes to replicate his experience in Birmingham where he turned failing pub The Wellington into a magnet for discerning drinkers.
"We've 10 pumps of real ales and ciders, and Hanley's crying out for a real ale pub to match the great pubs in places like Burslem, so I'm sure we'll be fine," he said.
On 14th February 2014
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 2883 recommendations about 2820 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Alan Winfield left this review about The Smithfield Hotel
The Smithfield is situated quite close to the ugly potteries way on the edge of the middle of Hanley.
Once inside the pub had two seperate rooms,i had a drink in the bar which was on the right side,the room was oblong in shape and had a new looking wood laminate floor,there were bench seats around the edge of the room and there was a pool table in the middle,there was a TV showing saturday kitchen and for entertainment a table top Pack Man machine,the lounge to the left is used as a dining room with all tables laid out.
There were three pumps on the bar but none in use,the friendly barmaid said a Joules beer was waiting to condition,i had a drink of Worthington cream flow which was a very poor drink.
This is a decent enough pub just a shame about missing the Joules beer.
Pub visited 1/6/2013
On 1st June 2013
- rating: 6
[User has posted 6113 recommendations about 6113 pubs]