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Bob's Smithy Inn — Bars in Bolton

Bob's Smithy Inn

BarsBolton, ENG

4.4 out of 5 stars4.4(1,159 reviews)

Quick info

+44 1204 842622
1448 Chorley Old Rd, Bolton BL1 7PX, United Kingdom
£10–40

About Bob's Smithy Inn

Bob's Smithy Inn is a family-run gastropub on Chorley Old Rd in Bolton, in the same hands for almost 30 years. Log burning fires warm the winter months. The kitchen serves home cooked food, including plate pies made with short crust pastry rather than puff-topped casserole-style pies, along with a prawn starter and a Sunday roast. Three or four real ales are on the bar. Tables are laid out for dining inside, and pictures of the old smithy that stood across the road are on display. A private dining room is available for groups, and dogs are welcome. Reservations are required, and parking is limited.

Good to know

  • Reservations
    Accepts reservations
  • Parking
    Free parking lot · Free street parking · Paid parking lot
  • Accessibility
    Wheelchair: entrance, parking lot, seating
  • Good for kids
    Good for kids · High chairs · Kids' menu
  • Dietary
    Organic dishes · Vegan options · Vegetarian options

Reviews

4.4/5
1,159 reviews

What reviewers say

Reviewers most often mention plate steak pie, prawn starter, sunday roast and real ales.

5★
745
4★
277
3★
70
2★
23
1★
44

Customer Review Summary

Short crust plate pies draw the most attention. One reviewer prefers them to puff pastry casseroles and another recommends the plate steak pie, though a veg pie and mash was called okay, with bland mash. Sunday dinner comes close behind, with diners describing generous portions, a warm family atmosphere and gluten free alternatives. Prawn starters and prawn nibbles come up twice, and others name black pudding with mustard sauce, pan fried chicken, garlic bread and sticky toffee pudding. Staff are repeatedly called friendly and accommodating, and one reviewer suggests booking because lunch was busy. The criticism is real, though. One reviewer reports a pint of ale tasting off and upsetting their stomach, and describes the building as in a state of disrepair, with toilet hand soap smelling like baby sick. Another found service slow and the pub unsuitable for kids. A third was charged extra for gravy and felt rushed despite a given time slot, then was moved to another table.

Featured reviews

  • Google user
    “Last came here about 10 years ago and looks like nothing has changed, if anything the place is now in a state of disrepair. The pint of ale I had didn't taste like a normal pint of ale and gave me a bad stomach. Such a shame as we always used to come here but now will probably never come back until its had some major investment. Also the hand soap in the toilet smells like baby sick.”
  • Google user
    “Took the kids, my mum and dad to Bob Smithy’s for Sunday dinner and it was excellent. The food was absolutely delicious, with generous portions and everything cooked perfectly. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, making it a great place for a family meal. The staff were friendly and attentive, and everyone left happy (and very full!). We’ll definitely be back. Highly recommend if you’re looking for a fantastic Sunday roast!”
  • Google user
    “Amazing sunday dinner here. They also offer gluten free alternatives and nothing is too much trouble. Really good service. We dont go anywhere else now.”
  • Google user
    “We just had lunch here. It was busy and we would definitely recommended booking . The food was delicious , the portions were generous and everything was fresh and hot! Staff were very pleasant. We had the garlic bread and cheese and the prawn nibbles to start and after our mains were too full to try one of the delicious desserts available. We hope to return soon.”
  • Google user
    “This place is more of a bistro than a pub. Inside, it's set up with lots of dining tables. There's no separate bar area, but you could sit at the bar if you just want a drink. It's nicely decorated with pictures of the old smithy that used to be across the road. They have a well-stocked bar with three or four real ales. The food is good. They seem to be really good at short crust pastry plate pies – none of those puff pastry topped casserole dishes. The staff are friendly and the service is attentive. I'll definitely be coming back here whenever I'm in the area.”

Highlights

“Country pub serving home cooked food and real ales along with continental premium larger, has been family run for almost 30years, great large outside drinking and dining area for the summer and cozy log burning fires for the winter. Great for familys or friends meeting up.”

  • Fireplace
  • Great coffee
  • Great dessert
  • Great tea selection
  • Trivia night
  • Popular for dinner

Amenities

  • Wi-Fi
  • Wheelchair accessible entrance
  • Accepts reservations
  • Outdoor seating
  • Dogs allowed
  • Dine-in
Show more amenities
  • Family-friendly
  • Vegan options
  • Bar onsite
  • Cozy
  • Coffee
  • Food
Offerings· 12
  • Alcohol
  • Cocktails
  • Food at bar
  • Free water refills
  • Happy hour drinks
  • Hard liquor
  • Healthy options
  • Organic dishes
  • Private dining room
  • Quick bite
  • Small plates
  • Vegetarian options
Facilities· 1
  • Restroom
Accessibility· 2
  • Wheelchair accessible parking lot
  • Wheelchair accessible seating
Dining options· 6
  • Brunch
  • Dinner
  • Catering
  • Dessert
  • Seating
  • Table service
Atmosphere· 3
  • Historic
  • Romantic
  • Trendy
Pet-friendly· 2
  • Dogs allowed inside
  • Dogs allowed outside
Planning· 3
  • Brunch reservations recommended
  • Reservations required
  • Dinner reservations recommended
Highlights· 4
  • Fireplace
  • Great dessert
  • Great tea selection
  • Trivia night
Popular for· 1
  • Solo dining
Crowd· 2
  • LGBTQ+ friendly
  • Tourists
Parking· 4
  • Free parking lot
  • Free street parking
  • Paid parking lot
  • Usually plenty of parking
Family-friendly· 3
  • Good for kids
  • High chairs
  • Kids' menu

Location

Bars near Bob's Smithy Inn

Bob's Smithy Inn
£10–40ReservationsWheelchair accessibleOutdoor seating
4.41,159
  • Wilton Arms4.31,086
    2.2 mi£20–30ReservationsGood for kids

    sunday roast lamb henry, spicy sirloin steak, goosenargh chicken liver starter

  • 3 miWheelchair accessible

    beef madras, toilets upstairs, breakfast

  • 3.4 mi

    pub lunch, reasonable prices, plenty of parking

The 3 nearest bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.

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