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Detail Pages
Blacksmiths Arms, Rotherhithe, SE16
SE16
SE16 5EJ
Pub Type
Fuller'sReviews (Current Rating Average: 7 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about Blacksmiths Arms
As the Smiths, this pup dates back to 1793 but has clearly been rebuilt in the brewers’ Tudor style, probably in the 1930s. It’s also close to Horatio Nelson’s house and it is said he drank here. This is cited on CAMRA’s list of pubs with historic interiors, this being of Regional Importance. Today it’s a Fuller’s pub and there are some old external Fuller Smith Turner lamps, distinguished by their red and green stained-glass banding.
The interior is well described below: occluded leaded windows to the front, carpeted with dark wood panelling to threequarters height, with a restaurant to the rear. There’s quite a clubby feel, with conventional furniture and décor in the form of framed black and white prints of the area from yesteryear. Customers were mixed and local, with some vocally displaying a dislike of Liverpool F. C.
Ale amounted to just Pride and Seafarer, with two unused pumps, so it was a half of Guinness at £3.00, served by a barmaid who regarded me with suspicion.
This is a very nice backstreet pub, off the beaten track and worthy of inclusion of a crawl of the area, taking in the marvellous Mayflower, but the choice of ale is a stumbling block; where’s the Dark Star options?
On 27th April 2022
- rating: 5
[User has posted 1985 recommendations about 1951 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about Blacksmiths Arms
Attractive old Fullers pub with the brewers Tudor façade enlivened by a plethora of hanging baskets, located close to the former warehouses lining the Rotherhithe riverside. The interior has a 1930's feel to it, with square patterning to the dark wood panelling and the surviving glazing in the exterior windows and interior partitioning. Layout comprises an 'U'-shaped bar at the front and a dining room to the rear. Pleasantly-relaxed but still traditional, with the obligatory photograph of the Queen Mother enjoying a tipple in 1988. Pride, Seafarers and Oliver's Island (£4.20, and served in the right glass) available from two banks of four handpumps.
On 13th September 2015
- rating: 7
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about Blacksmiths Arms
This is a Fuller’s pub so expect the usual ale selection. I went for their seasonal “Front Row”, at a staggering £3.90 a pint for a 3.7% ABV ale. Even for someone used to London prices, as I am, this struck me as a way over the top price. The food was mainly Thai, although there were a handful of “English” dishes on offer that again were not cheap – cod, chips and peas weighed in at £8.75. A standard Thai chicken stir fry was £8.50.
The pub itself is rather nice though. The walls are covered in what certainly appears to be the original wood panelling (possibly oak?), as is the central island bar. The large front room is divided by a wood framed archway with a concertina wooden door that could be closed to turn it into separate rooms should the need arise. The right hand side of this room is carpeted, but the rest of the pub is bare-boarded. Furnishings are mainly normal tables and chairs, although there were a number of “tub” armchairs. Thre's also a separate room right at the back.
The service was friendly, with the attractive young Thai barmaid treating me to a delightful smile. I liked this pub very much, with the only offputting thing for me being the prices.
Prospective visitors should note that this pub does not open until 1700 on weekdays.
On 26th February 2011
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
john mcgraw left this review about Blacksmiths Arms
This is the pub we were told by the customer from The 3 Compasses to come to for real ale, "well done that man". this is a small local with an island bar and plenty of wood panelling. it had a seperate dining room in the rear and had a big selection of Fuller's which was in tip top condition and served by a very friendly Irishman,also on tap was Gales. bus C10 stops outside
On 18th February 2007
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2044 recommendations about 2025 pubs]