The Royal Oak, Oldham

The Royal Oak has a central tiled lobby with seating to the left along with a pool table, dartboard and jukebox. It was lights out in this area during a recent early evening midweek visit. To the right is a curved U-shaped bar that serves the lobby and a strip of seating at the rear that is overlooked by a television on the right hand wall. The bar also serves a lounge area in the front right corner that has a counter screen to the bar. This is where the locals had all assembled leaving just me and a grumpy old man in the main bar area. Standard keg is available and four of the five handpumps were unused which left Wainwright as the lone cask option. The barmaid was friendly but the rear door to the toilets kept loudly slamming every time someone used it. Put a stopper on it! This place is worth a look for the historic interior, but now I’ve been I don’t plan on returning.

It basically two rooms ,a main bar and a small lounge around a bar in the centre. There was a lovely big friendly dog and two cats having a stand off with each other at the bar, several middle aged blokes sat at the bar ala cheers . There was a tv playing homes under the hammer when it was Saturday afternoon ,FOOTBALL MATE, loads of books on a shelf that had been acquired from a jumble sale and the most unusual part was bunting with world flags across the roof??? Spent my time trying to name the countries while drinking a half of Robinsons, I told my wife it's a shame as the pub seems on it's last legs but she said it as been like that as long as she can remember and she in her late forties and from this area

Its ok with 3 cask ales on. Though a bit discerning when the manager (?) points you toward the keg stuff.

This traditional street corner Robinson’s house has a decent town centre location, close to Oldham Mumps Metrolink station. Entering through the front door, you find yourself in a tiled corridor which quickly opens out to incorporate the main bar and adjacent seating area. The servery is well worth popping in for alone, with the bar describing a wonderful curved shape with a glazed, sash canopy above. Also of note are the windows, many of which have a stained glass oak motif inserted. A couple of banquettes stand opposite the bar and there is a high table under the end window, but otherwise, seating is limited, with the locals perched on stools at the bar on my Saturday lunchtime visit. A TV in the corner was showing test cricket which drew occasional glances from the bar as England dragged themselves back into contention. A book shelf ran behind one of the banquettes and the walls had various boxing photos on display, including several of Ricky Hatton and a signed picture of Brian London. At the front of the pub there is a small second bar, perhaps a little comfier than the main bar, but empty on my visit. Meanwhile, to the left there is a side room with a pool table and a TV which was showing pre-match football build-up. Five Robinson’s ales were available – Unicorn, Old Tom, Dizzy Blonde (£2.50), Build a Rocket Boys and Frederic’s 175. I fancied a pint of the Dizzy Blonde which the taciturn landlord poured for me. It was an excellent pint and set me up nicely for a day of good drinking. This is a classic local’s pub, but one where you feel relaxed as a stranger visiting. I thought it was a charming place to spend some time enjoying a well kept pint and would be more than happy to call in again the next time I’m in town.