Ye Olde Blacksmith, Orpington  

We remember when this used to be a basic, but buzzing, students pub many years ago, then had a refurbishment that was a bit over modern, and now it's now got pretty tatty - after all it doesn't take much to keep cobwebs from the ceiling (we're not even joking). There were no bitters and on our last visit they had had no wines on offer at all and no sign of food either. ironically, the service is fine but the atmosphere is dull, probably due to the lack of custom. There's also something almost spooky about the place; it's far, far too dark and dingy and it feels miserable, uncomfortable and unloved. Looking out on the garden, which has potential - we noticed it was full of kegs and completely overgrown. The blacksmith memorabilia adds a tiny bit of character but it all feels a bit false and tacky. The one redeeming factor is that there is a pool table with plenty of room and seating around it (although for whom we're not sure - not many hustlers around when we were there) and they had particularly nice cues and rests - all quite rare in a pub. Apart from that it's all a bit doom and gloom - maybe it has a future as a Goth pub?

reviewed:
22/07/2005

pub features:(click on an icon to see an explanation)

pool table

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