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Detail Pages
The Smithfield, Derby
Derby
DE1 2BH
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 8 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Mark Davey left this review about The Smithfield
I used to drink in here a lot when I worked in derby, it being the best pub within walking distance at lunch time. It has to be said that it was shabby but the beer was great. Now it's much cleaner with great toilets and the beer is superb. The perfect example of how a pub should be refurbished and a must for any crawl round the city of Derby. If you are not aware of it, there is a sneaky route to the Smithfield from the station, utilising the footpath through the Bass recreation ground and the foot bridge over the derwent. This puts the Smithfield perfectly placed between the Brunswick and the Exeter.
On 19th April 2013
- rating: 8
[User has posted 292 recommendations about 276 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
ROB Camra left this review about The Smithfield
After a period of closure the Smithfield has been refurbished and is reopen. Both rooms have been kept pretty much as they were but have been given a spruce up and there are new settles, tables and chairs. The bar itself has had a refurb as well. The outside terrace over the river has also been cleaned up and will be a great place to sit in summer. 8 handpumps on the bar with 6 beers available although none of them were particularly unusual, especially in Derby. My pint of Abbeydale Moonshine was in good nick though and they give a discount to CAMRA members. It was quite busy on our Saturday afternoon visit. I'm pleased to see it reopen and back on the beer map.
On 13th March 2013
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3224 recommendations about 3135 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Alan Winfield left this review about The Smithfield
The Smithfield is back on the real ale map again,the pub has had a facelift and it is now been rendered and painted cream.
Once inside the pub seems pretty much the same,there is a large curved bar to the front which was bare boarded with bench seating facing the bar with stools,there was a dart board in the small area to the left,there were two Tvs on showing the football scores.
The smaller lounge to the rear is still there and this room was quite busy with people sitting around a roaring open fire,i had a drink in the main bar which was also quite busy with drinkers.
There were 8 pumps on the bar with 2 unclipped and one turned round,this left five real ales to choose from,i had a drink of Full Mash Neverland which was a very dark porter type beer,this was a really nice well kept beer,the other beers were Oakham Bishops Farewell,Whim Arbourlight,Bass and Smithy bitter which is brewed for the pub by the Derby brewing company.
The pub had a nice laid back atmosphere and i enjoyed my time in this pub.
Pub first visited 11/9/1982
Recent visit 9/3/2013
On 10th March 2013
- rating: 9
[User has posted 6113 recommendations about 6113 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Roy Collins left this review about The Smithfield
Well preserved pub in an industrial area. Good choice of beers and tasty filled rolls.
On 31st July 2011
- rating: 7
[User has posted 124 recommendations about 121 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
I L left this review about The Smithfield
A superb Victorian pub that was obviously once part of a larger victorian terrace cum street corner but now in an industrial area. However its well worth the walk along the river path for its well kept ales especially with the Derby Brewery Tap being close by and the even more recent refurbishment of the Exeter Arms which serves Dancing Duck Brewery ales.
On 6th June 2011
- rating: 8
[User has posted 287 recommendations about 284 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about The Smithfield
In an unlikely location opposite a bus depot and on the edge of an industrial park,this is a wonderfully authentic Victorian boozer with an original layout described below.There is also an outside terrace which overlooks the fast flowing River Derwent below.
As Mr Phat notes the ale was of the highest order,and it took a fair amount of willpower to move on the visit some other well known hosteleries.
A man in a white coat and a perfect comb over came into the pub with a wicker basket full of whelks,cockles and mussels which is a sight I haven't seen for many a long year.His produce proved very popular with the mixed clientele.Despite outstanding ale and a GBG listing ,this pub is not just a CAMRA hangout.
Until recently this pub featured beers from the Headless Brewery but with it's demise the switch to more regulars from Whim has raised the bar even higher.
An absolute must visit,based on my visit this would be my top pick in the excellent ale town of Derby.
On 4th May 2011
- rating: 10
[User has posted 2727 recommendations about 2727 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Thuck Phat left this review about The Smithfield
The Smithfield, as mentioned, is tucked away but is easily reachable from the station by taking the riverside path by the Derwent. It remains slightly shabby in appearance both inside and out but not to the point of being unwelcoming and it could be argued that that's part of the charm.
Inside is a large bar area wrapped around the bar with seats and tables around the wall. At the back there's a smaller, comfortable lounge area.
The welcome is friendly with advice from all as to which ales are coming out best - all of them in our experience. Clientele is mixed and seemed to range from students to pensioners.
The beer selection is one of the best I've ever seen: Whim Hartington IPA, Snow White and Arbour Light - unfortunately the Flower Power went as we ordered it to be replaced by Oakham Inferno - Buxton Spa, Bass, Pedigree, Thornbridge Chiron and Blue Monkey BG Sips. If there's a criticism it's that there weren't any very dark beers on: stouts, porters or milds. Everything we tried, which was most of it, was immaculate and flew down.
A lovely, traditional boozer which may perhaps benefit from some cosmetic sprucing up but where the beer is cleverly selected and incredibly well cared for. The first place I'd head to in Derby and wouldn't be disappointed if it was the only one.
On 4th May 2011
- rating: 10
[User has posted 679 recommendations about 678 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
ROB Camra left this review about The Smithfield
The Smithfield is a little bit out on a limb from the city centre, across Exeter bridge, but now the Derby Brewery Tap @ The Royal Standard is open which is on the way, hopefully more people will visit. Having said that it was pretty busy on Sunday afternoon when we called in. It’s rather tatty from the outside and it’s a little old and worn on the inside as well. It does however have a nice patio area at the back overlooking the Derwent which was very pleasant in the sunshine. The back bar is worth a look with its old furnishings and collection of football related coffee mugs. It’s the sister pub of the Flowerpot so you’re always going to get a good selection of beer on their eight handpumps. They usually have two or three on from Whim and one from Headless alongside a number of changing guests. It’s a decent pub that could do with having a few quid spent on it to brighten it up, well worth a visit when in Derby though.
On 23rd April 2010
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3224 recommendations about 3135 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Clive Thompson left this review about The Smithfield
You wouldn't stumble across this pub, it takes a bit of finding being tucked away on the edge of an industrial estate. The property looks a bit tired and I expect not a lot of money has been spent on it recently. But that's part of the charm for those who like traditional old boozers. You do wonder how long it might last which seems a good excuse to search it out now. There are three rooms, the main bar, an Offilers room and a nice well-decorated snug. There is a small outside yard with a couple of tables that overlook the river. It has a good reputation for real ales and the CAMRA stalwarts will definitely have it on their itinerary for a Derby pub crawl
On 16th December 2007
- rating: 7
[User has posted 777 recommendations about 697 pubs]