The Royal Oak, Borough, SE1

Pub refurbishments are usually disastrous. Perfectly good pubs are mercilessly lobotomised into some North London design consultancy's idea of what a pub should be, removing all character and atmosphere in the process. The Royal Oak is the exception that proves the rule. Harvey's took what was a so-so back street Courage pub, the sort which would be flats by now, and turned it into one of the leading real ale houses in the metropolis. The marvel of it is that everyone thinks they're in an unspoilt Victorian local, not a recent renovation. It's a two bar layout, a lighter, more open pubic bar separated from the cosier saloon by a lobby reminiscent of the traditional "jug and bottle" servery common before off-licences came along. There's always at least five Harvey's ales on: mild, pale, best, armada, old, and maybe one of their seasonal brews. The Fuller's beer is something of a cuckoo in the nest. It's there for the benefit of the regulars in the Lewes Arms, a long story, but my guess is that far more Harvey's gets drunk in the Lewes Arms than Fuller's in the Oak. It is of course a GBG regular, and winner of many awards. One of the best pubs in the capital, it's worth mounting a major expedition to visit it.

I can only echo previous reviews. I had a superb pint of Harveys' Mild in here yesterday lunchtime, and the other members of my party enjoyed their pints of Old, Porter and real cider. It is a fairly simple, traditional boozer in terms of layout with the two seperate bars and the wooden furniture. If I lived in London I could see this becoming a regular haunt.

A superb Victorian street corner local with the different rooms still separated by wood and glass screens. A very well looked after pub. Has a good range of very well kept Harveys ales and normally one Fullers ale on.

I was in here last week for the first time since we had a BITE meet up here over a year ago. Its still a very good Pub and the selection of Harveys Ales on Tap was excellent. Its a nice Old style Pub thats well looked after by the Staff & customers alike. I found Staff very friendly & welcoming and all four Ales I tried were in excellent condition. I would definitely recommend a visit too this Pub if your in the area.

Randomness Guide to London - Royal Oak entry

Randomness Guide to London - Royal Oak entry

This is well known Harveys pub, yet retains the atmosphere and feel of a backstreet boozer. Some of the best sandwiches around can be bought here. So – great beer, excellent sarnies, super atmosphere – top pub then. Well recommended for inclusion in a Waterloo to London Bridge crawl. Definitely one of my favourites.

Reliable Harvey's house with two bars, the front room has high ceilings, chandeliers, etched windows and a choice of traditional chairs or wooden settles. Old theatre flyers adorn the walls. The back bar is more like a parlour with its fireplace and cosier ambience. Not quite the full range today, Sussex Best, Pale, Old, and Mild. Guest beer for Valentine's being Kiss at 4.8%, a sign over the bar challenges punters to ask the barmaid for one. I passed on that. Well regarded neverthless and as a full on Harvey's pub, a real addition to London choice.

This is a very nice Harveys pub that wouldn't be out of place sitting in Lewes along with some of the best. I spotted London Porter, which was off, alongside the Harveys ale range and Stowford Press cider. I stuck to the Guinness which was well poured by the friendly barmaid. This is a nice looking well kept pub and I would recommend others to visit if in the area.

What more can be said about this gem ?We went through the card and every Harvey brewed ale was spot on ,and the general consensus was that the Sussex Best and the Old Ale were the finest of a great range.The Christmas Ale at 8.2% was one of the best barley wines we've (carefully) supped. The food is substantial,traditional and well cooked.The punters are in the main serious ale drinkers but there are younger customers and medical students who also appreciate the traditional pub atmosphere in an area dominated by deafening bars with bouncers .Harveys are also brewers of very traditional ales,where else in the southeast can you find a tasty low strength mild,a pale ale and an old ale under the same roof ? An outstanding pub and a reminder of times gone by.