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Detail Pages
The Smithfield, Derby
Derby
DE1 2BH
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 8 of 10) see review guidelines
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 1456 recommendations about 1434 pubs]
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 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]
Steve C 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 5249 recommendations about 5217 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 3745 recommendations about 3482 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 1872 recommendations about 1845 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 2110 recommendations about 1992 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 5089 recommendations about 5072 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 3382 recommendations about 3381 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Pub SignMan left this review about The Smithfield
This riverside pub has a pretty nice location, despite being sited opposite a bus depot on a small industrial estate. The riverside footpath can be followed to Derby County's Pride Park stadium, making the pub a popular pre-match destination and there was a good crowd in when I arrived an hour or so prior to kick-off. The pub seems to have been given a bit of a modern refurbishment in recent years, but it retains a classic two bar layout. A long, central servery splits the pub in two, with the right side a fairly basic public bar with bright white walls and plenty of windows creating a very light space. The room is bare boarded with padded benches around the perimeter supplemented by low stools. There are a few floral paintings on the walls and a TV screen to the rear was showing the afternoon's six nations fixture. To the left of the front door, there is a small games room, dominated by a pool table which had been judiciously covered to avoid damage by the crowds, but which the manager uncovered as the fans dispersed, allowing a couple of young lads to squeeze a quick couple of games in. There is also a small darts area on the back wall, but it's clear that both games couldn't be played simultaneously. Following the bar to the rear of the pub, you can head out to the tidy riverside garden, or make your way into the lounge bar on the opposite side of the servery. This room is carpeted and has similar seating options to the public bar. A large fireplace takes pride of place on the end wall and there wasn't a free seat to be had. It's worth noting that there are no handpulls or keg fonts on this bar, so you'll need to remember what you want to order before heading into this room. The bar counter was covered with filled cobs and pork pies, which form part of a pre-match snack menu the pub has put together.
On the bar the hand pumps were dispensing Oakham Bishops Farewell, Ossett Dana (£3.00) and Silver Shadow, Derby The Smithy and Whim Arbour Light, with three turned clips, including Bass. Obviously the pre match demand had taken it's toll on the ales, but I thought those remaining still offered a solid range and I plumped for the Dana, which was in good shape, if not entirely to my taste. I also sampled one of the pork pies, which I really enjoyed and I did consider going back for a second one.
I think the external makeover, which can be seen from the photos on this site, makes this place a less appealing prospect, but actually it's a fine pub, with friendly staff and a good range of ales. The décor was maybe a bit on the bland side, but there seems to be a lot of effort made to provide a great service to their customers and for that, they should be commended.
On 1st March 2014
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3114 recommendations about 3114 pubs]