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Disappointment of the week with Gann
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The Dirty Duck (Black Swan), Stratford Central, Stratford-Upon-Avon
Stratford-Upon-Avon
CV37 6BA
Pub Type
Old English Inns (Greene King)Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve C left this review about The Dirty Duck (Black Swan)
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.
On 5th November 2022
- rating: 6
[User has posted 5233 recommendations about 5201 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Delboy 20 left this review about The Dirty Duck (Black Swan)
Well described below. The seats out front always get busy but there is another much quieter beer garden out back. IPA and Speckled Hen on when I called. The Specky Hen was just about OK.
On 1st August 2022
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 1656 recommendations about 1556 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Dirty Duck
Otherwise the Black Swan or the 'actors pub', this Greene King house is in a prime elevated position close to the RSC with a front terrace overlooking the Avon. The main bar area has limited seating but there is a dining area to the left, a conservatory to the rear and a separate (and quieter, as less obvious) bar to the right. The latter is adorned with a fine display of (mostly) b&w photographs of famous old thespians. IPA, Old Golden Hen and the 'house' Dirty Mallard available from a total of five handpumps divided between the counters.
On 17th September 2017
- rating: 6
[User has posted 8092 recommendations about 8092 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Ian Mapp left this review about The Dirty Duck
Nice pub in a great location. Beer quality suspect - all from Greene King.
I stuck with the theme and went for a Dirty Mallard. I wish I hadn't.
Still, lovely place.
Photos at my walking blog - http://bit.ly/1TMvHsa
On 28th May 2016
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1337 recommendations about 1323 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about The Dirty Duck
You take a few steps up from the pavement, where you reach a small patio area and the entrance to the pub. The main area consists of small bar over on the right with the lounge enveloping this from the front to the rear. There was a small lounge on the right of the entrance. Three ales on handpump, Poets Ink being the GK special. The pub has lots of oak panelling and timber floors.
On 21st June 2014
- rating: 5
[User has posted 3382 recommendations about 3381 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Peter Rydings left this review about The Dirty Duck
Always a must when were in Stratford if its not just for the broken down actors still acting and forgetting their lines Had a pint of Greene king Mallard as you all know its the same bitter everywhere with just what the pub wants to call it. Will always call in here when in Stratford
On 19th June 2014
- rating: 10
[User has posted 948 recommendations about 917 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Anonymous User left this review about The Dirty Duck
This pub is situated near the River and not far from the Shakespeare theatre, there is outside parking where you have to pay and display, alternatively you can park on any major tourist car park and take a steady stroll, the pub Manager Mr.Jackson is a great Manager and has to be commended by myself for his fantastic customer skills,the meal menu are superb, maybe a little dark, this pub has partitioned seating areas and can be quite dark, traditional old style pub and restaurant and they serve coffee from a traditional machine, bar area looks a bit cluttered however you can guarantee to get what is asked for and a quality drink at that, I would recommend this pub for a meal and a few pints in the summer you can sit outside, however disabled access is not available as there are narrow steps up to the venue, I have been going to this pub for many years and can assure you its worth a visit, hope this helps DC.....
On 7th January 2011
- rating: 7
[User has posted 0 recommendations about 0 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
ROB Camra left this review about The Dirty Duck
This is pretty much a restaurant with a bit of pub attached. Its wood panelled all around but doesn’t give the feel of being old compared to e.g. The Falcon or The White Swan Hotel. There are dining tables and chairs all around the place. The menu is exactly the same as The Garrick and The Pen and Parchment, but the beer is worse. 4 handpumps on the bar but only 2 beers on, the others didn’t even have pumpclips on so these may not be used. GK IPA and Olde Trip available, the Trip was just about OK. There’s a patio area out front which is probably nice in summer but we won’t be bothering to come here again.
On 23rd April 2010
- rating: 4
[User has posted 3223 recommendations about 3134 pubs]