The Smithfield, Derby

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

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.