The Oyster Bar, Oban

Official site of The Oyster Bar & Restaurant - www.oysterbareasdale.com

Official site of The Oyster Bar & Restaurant - www.oysterbareasdale.com

Don't be misled by the name. Although it no doubt sells oysters as part of its extensive and varied seafood menu, this is actually a pub. As the only one in the village of Ellenabeich and one of only a handful on the Slate Islands, it was busy on both occasions I visited. There is a compact and quaint looking bar with a stone flagged floor and an adjacent, slightly plusher lounge section, with service from the same bar counter in between. Both have nautically themed decor, featuring ship's wheels and lights and porthole shaped mirrors. An outdoor patio deck overlooks one of the island's flooded slate quarries and has views across to the neighbouring island of Easdale. Beerwise, Stella Artois sells at £3.50 a pint and Tennent's lager at £3.10, with Guinness also on tap. There are also two hand pumps, dispensing Avalanche and Highlander from the Fyne Ales Brewery. All in all, this is an excellent pub in an excellent location.