The Smithfield, Hanley, Stoke-On-Trent

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.

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.

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.

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