The Dirty Duck (Black Swan), Stratford Central, Stratford-Upon-Avon

The Dirty Duck has some steep steps up to the entrance that feels more like a greeting lobby. Facing this area is a bar counter that supports standard and premium keg as well as three handpumps that were drawing Greene King Old Speckled Hen and IPA alongside Dirty Mallard. To the left and around to the rear are seating areas geared towards dining. I wasn’t very impressed until I found the Actors Bar to the right. Banquette and pew seating is overlooked by countless photos of actors up on the walls. During my visit I found it quite funny that there was actually and actor from Holby or Casualty in this bar. In hindsight it probably isn’t that rare an event with the RSC being so close. There are another two handpumps in here, but one was unused and the other was badged with GK IPA. To sum up, the left side of this pub is crap, but the right side is worth a look.