MEET THE TEAM AT THE DIRTY DUCK, STRATFORD-UPON-AVON
Great food and quality tipples aside, our incredible team is the heart and soul of the Dirty Duck. After all, behind every great pub is a group of dedicated, hard-working individuals, from the bartenders to the chefs to the cleaners. Get to know our General Manager, Tony and Head Chef, Patrick - find out why they love working at the Dirty Duck, their dish recommendations and why they think you can never have too much of a good thing.
MEET OUR GENERAL MANAGER, TONY
My name’s Anthony – everyone knows me as Tony – and I’ve been the General Manager at the Dirty Duck for nearly two years, and with Greene King for 21 years. I used to run pubs in Manchester, but I fancied a change and eventually ended up here at the Dirty Duck. When I first saw it, I thought it was amazing. It’s such a special pub and I feel privileged to be here.
It’s the only pub in the country with two names - the Black Swan and the Dirty Duck. It was originally the Black Swan, but it was nicknamed the Dirty Duck by American GIs during World War II.
We get all sorts in here, from RSC actors to celebrities, literally every week. We also get a lot of tourists and people coming in for a meal before they catch a show. And then when the theatre closes, they come back for a drink. It’s always been famous among actors though; hence, the photographs in the Actor’s Bar. All the actors you see on the walls in there, at some point, will have performed at the RSC.
If someone were to come to Stratford-upon-Avon for the day, I’d recommend going to see Shakespeare's birthplace, and of course, his burial place, Holy Trinity Church, which is around a five-minute walk from here. Anne Hathaway’s cottage too. But the most underrated gem? Our beer garden, of course! It’s about as big as the pub itself, so you can imagine the atmosphere in summertime.
Personally, I like a nice glass of red wine or a rum and coke, but our signature ale, Drunken Duck is really popular. Level Head and Hazy Day are also great. In terms of food, our most popular items are Fish & Chips and our Steak & Ale Pie – we sell hundreds each week. I couldn’t recommend them highly enough!
Above all, I take pride in my team. They look after every customer – and every dog - that comes through the door.
Patrick, Kitchen Manager
My name is Patrick, I’m the Kitchen Manager, and I’ve been here at the Dirty Duck for 12 years. I've previously held positions as Team Leader and Assistant Manager, and now I’m in the kitchen. It can be a stressful job, but it’s all about how you manage that stress. I make sure I communicate with my team – each day is a clean slate.
I love the atmosphere and quirkiness of the Dirty Duck. If I were to sum it up in three words, I’d say authentic, traditional and special. Occasionally you get to meet celebrities, alongside the regulars, many of whom have been coming here for years, and I even had my stag party here. Plus, we get to meet loads of dogs.
Our most popular menu items? Anything hearty and warming like Fish & Chips. It’s different in here because you’re not just eating the food, you’re consuming the whole place as an experience. The atmosphere, the people who serve you – the whole vibe, you know? Our Duck Hash is also very popular, especially with the runny egg on top, it’s spot on!
There are so many amazing places to visit in Stratford-upon-Avon, and there’s so much history. As people, as human beings, we love to tell stories. It may not be the busiest town, but on my days off me and my wife like to go walking in Welcombe Hills, wander around and have coffee.