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The Smithfield, Derby
Derby
DE1 2BH
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 8 of 10) see review guidelines
Old Boots left this review about The Smithfield
Opposite a local bus garage, it’s a curved building obviously once the end of a now demolished terrace. Located in a bit of an industrial looking waste land, the only nearby non-industrial things is a group of little niche shops/cafe units and a large function venue which was hosting a south Asian wedding as I wandered past from the Alexandra. The pub is a two bar affair with the rear room just being for sitting, there’s a covered patio drinking/smoking area at the back next to the river. The counter is in the front room with 10 pulls mostly local beers in good condition but with the modern incarnation of draught Bass as well. There’s also some Bass ephemera about the place; mirrors, lamp and clock; other decor is a lot of Camra awards, other brewery mirrors, old signs and framed adverts. The furniture is a right old mixture but all traditional. An excellent traditional pub. Cobs and pies available.
On 20th July 2025
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3686 recommendations about 3364 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Danny O'Revey left this review about The Smithfield
Traditional pub, a little basic inside, Big tented outdoor space, sadly doesn't give views to the river & park. Friendly, well run and good beer
On 26th February 2024
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1563 recommendations about 1540 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Smithfield
This place has improved a lot since my first visit about fifteen years ago, and some money had already been spent doing up the place a bit when I last visited in 2014. The exterior certainly looks more appealing nowadays and thankfully it retains its two-bar layout inside, both with traditional furniture and restrained decoration. This time I had an excellent Bradfield Farmers Steel Cow (£4.00) from a fine array of cask beers on the two banks of five handpumps.
On 25th February 2024
- rating: 8
[User has posted 8813 recommendations about 8813 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Strongers . left this review about The Smithfield
The Smithfield has a dartboard to the left of the entrance, a jukebox that was supplying some background music and seating up the right that is faced by the bar counter. Standard keg and Birra Moretti were available, but most of the afterwork crowd had come for the cask ales available from ten hand pumps. The options during my Tuesday afternoon visit were Three Brothers Brewing’s Hazelnut Latte Milk Stout, Big Hands Pili Pala, Durham Brewery’s Avyanna, Torrside Brewery’s Subtle Hustle, Empire Brewing’s Charlie Don’t Surf, Rivington Brewing’s Walking in Circles, Fownes Brewing’s Mermaid’s Tale, New Invention Brewery’s Windmill, Sarah Hughes Brewery’s Dark Ruby and Bass. The barmaid was friendly, but I wasn’t a fan of the Pili Pala Pale Ale, tasted a bit like burnt tire. The bar area was starting to fill up so I sat in the small back bar to make my notes. From here I could see the riverside beer garden at the rear that was half full, even though it was a bit showery. This is a decent pub that I’ll be revisiting for a longer period of time when next in Derby.
On 31st July 2023
- rating: 9
[User has posted 6168 recommendations about 6131 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Will Larter left this review about The Smithfield
Tremendous pub just a 10 minute walk from Derby railway station. A worthwhile walk, partly through a pleasant park and across the river, and if planning to break your train journey to do the pubs near the station, think again and take a longer break to do this one (too, or instead - your choice). There are 10 hand pumps with a variety of beer styles. Bass seems to be ever present and in very good condition. Should have taken my own advice and a longer break in my train journey to try some others. Maybe next time.
On 27th January 2023
- rating: 9
[User has posted 4391 recommendations about 4036 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Moby Duck left this review about The Smithfield
A walk across the river and through an industrial area brought me to The Smithfield, a pub with a curved frontage facing a bus depot opposite. Inside the layout is hockey stick shaped with plenty of seating throughout. The pub seemed to attract a good following of locals early evening on a Thursday. Ten Handpumps with a good beer range, I had Dancing Duck Abducktion. My travelling partner, Big Steve was well impressed with this pub having been here a couple of years ago, I thought it was ok but it didn't really blow me away, would be happy to return though.
On 1st November 2022
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2210 recommendations about 2176 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Gill Smith left this review about The Smithfield
Visited 30.4.21 and was shown to an outside table by the river. Al covid regulations applied. Young lady did a grand job bringing the beer menu list and giving prompt service. Very popular and a good ale choice here. We had beers from Nomadic, Thirst Class, Liverpool Brewing and Blue Bee, and all were in good condition.
On 1st May 2021
- rating: 9
[User has posted 1339 recommendations about 1222 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve of N21 left this review about The Smithfield
This was my first port of call when joining the PuG tour of Derby and initially I wasn’t expecting much due to its out of town location in what on the map looked a bit of an industrial estate. But it was actually quite a pleasant two roomed pub with a decent situation on the river which it utilises well with a pleasant enclosed riverside patio area out the back of the pub.
Internally it maintains a public, saloon vibe with a plain utilitarian wooden floored front bar where the main decoration comes from several chalk boards and then a more comfortable carpeted lounge section to the back of the main bar.
The bar supports 8 real ale pumps and five were in operation for our visit with Sarah Hughs Dark Ruby, Oakham Citra, Whin Ales Arbor Light , Derby Brewing Co The Smithy and Draft Bass available and could not complain with a well kept pint of Oakham Citra.
And there seemed to be a very decent low cost traditional pub grub menu that quite a lot of the locals were utilising on this particular Friday lunchtime. No CAMRA discounts available but there is a loyalty card scheme operated which obviously benefits said locals.
Not the best pub encountered on the day but a solid enough start and wouldn’t hesitate to include again when in town.
On 22nd November 2015
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2279 recommendations about 2135 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The Smithfield
The exterior has been done-up since my last visit in 2010 and is much better for it. The inside looks fairly similar - the basic public bar seemingly serving the factory workers so some earthy clientele in residence when we called by. A pool table and dart board were off to the left. The rear room is more a lounge/eatery and a bit more upmarket. Eight pumps with five on, including a cider. My Derby Smithy was odd; seemingly in decent nick but a very poor tasting brew. Swapped over to Whim Ales Arbor Light which was in decent nick but again not one I found much joy in drinking (I decided it was too early for a dalliance with Sarah Hughes). Was I unlucky or were other forces afoot? Having done the Greyhound later on in the crawl and having really quite good Derby beer there I’m wondering if it’s the latter. This one’s never really clicked with me as an enjoyable venue and after this visit I doubt I’d do it again out of choice. 6.5
September 2010
The exterior doesn’t exactly set the pulse racing and looks in desperate need of TLC, what with bits of the signage missing and the ‘interesting’ walk to get here via the bus depot (opposite the pub) and industrial estate. However the J-shaped interior was in slightly better state of repair, with a lounge and games room either side of the main bar. I counted eight ales on over nine pumps. My choice was in good nick though I did feel the range was a little samey style-wise, quite a few light ones. Value cobs were available from behind the bar as well as some proper cider. I was quite taken with the nice patio garden (including some chilli plants) overlooking the river Derwent. With a bit of effort made on the décor, this could be a real winner. Rated 7
On 20th November 2015
- rating: 6
[User has posted 5657 recommendations about 5638 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about The Smithfield
A good traditional pub with a fairly basic layout, but nonetheless comfortable enough. The front room had plenty of light from its large Georgian windows along the curved front façade. The walls were painted in white and maroon, with maroon coloured leatherette bench seating along the exterior walls. There was a more elaborate and quieter back room, plus a pool table room on the left of entrance. There was a row of 8 black and chrome hand pumps along the solid mahogany counter, with a choice of 5 ales. Their choice of ales on this visit were quite mediocre, until I spotted the Oakham Citra at the far end of the bar. I noticed a collection of new tins of Spam along the back bar, maybe they were on tomorrow's menu, Monty Pythons Flying Circus came to mind.
On 16th November 2015
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3716 recommendations about 3716 pubs]