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Submitted on Friday, 18^th July 2025
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The Smithfield, Derby

Meadow Road
Derby
DE1 2BH

Correct details

Served areas

Derby Central, Eastgate

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The Smithfield Im not very good at Twitter, but here’s SmithFest 2022 6:11 PM Jul 25th 2022 from Twitter for iPhone

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Reviews of The Smithfield (Average Rating: 8 of 10) Add Review see review guidelines

Quinno _ left this review about The Smithfield

I’ve never been keen on this place and the latest visits didn’t really do much to shift the dial. It’s all a bit scruffy and the pints of Bass I had were served in glasses only fit for the skip. Said liquid was fair on both occasions (NBSS 3) but I expected better given all the Bass-related paraphernalia on display. Popular due to the plethora of cask ales and a location away from the city centre.

November 2015
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. Rated 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 17^th September 2025 - rating: 6
[User has posted 5754 recommendations about 5735 pubs]

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 20^th July 2025 - no rating submitted
[User has posted 3777 recommendations about 3449 pubs]

Please Note: This review is over a year old.