OAKhouse, Maldon

Conveniently located towards the top end of Maldon’s High Street, this looks quite contemporary at first glance with large bi-folding doors opening out on to a pavement seating area, but on venturing in you’ll find plenty of very old timberwork both on the ceiling and in use as supporting pillars. Décor wise it is really a bit of a mix of old and new, with attractive mottled tiles on the floor, quite a bit of exposed brickwork and an old brick fireplace which looks to be no longer in use. There were also exposed filament light bulbs, de rigour in any pub renovation these days, and some low leather sofas arranged in to an L shape just inside the window which looked to be a comfy spot. Despite the original timberwork though, I thought this lacked much in the way of a cosy ambience, and it’s really got the feel of an all-day lounge bar type establishment rather than your traditional pub. Beer choice was very limited with just the local Puck’s Folly from the town’s brewery, whilst the solitary cider was Orchard Thieves. Overall, not a bad spot, but lacking much in the way of any atmosphere.

Official site of OAKhouse - www.oakhouse.co.uk

Official site of OAKhouse - www.oakhouse.co.uk

This place has a buzz about it, I have visited on several evenings and this is what i have found. Mondays to Wednesdays its pretty quiet seems more popular with girls as its a relaxed trendy bar type environment, Thursdays its busier and Fridays its really busy, good mix of boys and girls, ages vary from 20 - 50, decent clientel, most people dressed smart casual, a good atmosphere. Saturday it starts busy about 7pm then it seems to have a turnover of people who go to chelmsford and those who settle in for the night (1am) Sometimes a dj also. I havent been much during the day but it always seems popular for lunches coffee. Beers on tap vary from Peroni and stella to fosters and the pucks folly is probably the tastiest beer ive ever had but it is served a little to chilled so i sometimes buy 2 and let one warm up! All in all worth a vist, easily the best in town.