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Beer of the Week (w/e 27th April 2025) with Thuck Phat on the Pub Forum

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Submitted on Thursday, 26^th September 2024
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The Royal Oak, Borough, SE1

44 Tabard Street
SE1
SE1 4JU

Phone: 02073577173

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Reviews of The Royal Oak (Average Rating: 8½ of 10) Add Review see review guidelines

Quinno _ left this review about The Royal Oak

Not keen on the new look here tbh. In the front bar the net curtains are gone, the paint job is a bit stark and there was fairly dreadful tinny music from shitty sub-standard speakers. A quick look at the rear was more positive and feels pretty much as it was. The beer remains superb though, with pints of Harvey’s XX Mild (NBSS 3.5), Bonfire Boy (4), Harvest (3.5) and Old (4.5) all slipping down way too easily. So for that, it’s still well-worth a visit. But not quite the classic it once was; why can’t people leave things alone?

October 2017
Things seem to tick over here with time being a mere concept rather than a reality. The beer is still Harveys (with Pride on as an interloper) and the quality is still high. If you are down in London for an all-dayer, this is a must-visit. Rated 9

June 2014
Long-overdue revisit and little change since 2009, thankfully. Eight pumps, four on each bar with different ales, though a lack of cross-bar advertising meant I didn’t realise this until I went up for second drink and ordered a MILD, prompting the barman to point out that there were actually two MILDS available. In the end I counted six Harvey's (including two seasonals) plus Fullers HSB (retailing at four quid!) and Thatchers Heritage cider. My Pale and seasonal Mild were both in good form. Noticed that the lesser-visited rear lounge has some china ornaments. No music or darts here, just a simple honest drinking den. I like. Rated 9

August 2009
An enduring classic south of the river, this is a Harveys (ex-Courage) street corner outlet. It’s a Victorian back-street boozer design - the interior is made up of two bars either side of a central server and dividing door; in between is a small off-sales area. There’s a lot of high ceilings and etched glasswork in evidence, along with dark varnished panelling and basic furnishings. Nice plasterwork cornices and light settings if you look upwards. There are no TV's, fruit machines or music, it’s all very traditional. There are usually five Harveys ales available in good nick, alongside a Fullers beer (part of the deal regarding the Lewes Arms saga a few years back). Food is available and it’s reportedly of high quality – substantial and traditional. It perhaps lacks a little ethereal something for me to make it a classic, but it’s certainly well-worth a call if you like good beer and traditional pubs. Rated 8

On 22^nd January 2025 - rating: 8
[User has posted 5552 recommendations about 5533 pubs]

Graham Coombs left this review about The Royal Oak

I'd not been here for many years and I was pleased to find it had not changed greatly, indeed the stripped back interior has weathered in nicely. I was also pleased to find the Old Ale on, and in dangerously-drinkable order too. Fancy a pub only selling a full range of beers from one brewery - what a novel concept [irony].

On 25^th September 2024 - rating: 8
[User has posted 3641 recommendations about 3576 pubs]

Please Note: This review is over a year old.

Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Royal Oak

A proper pub, retaining a two-bar layout (the front room fairly plain, but attractive traditional decor in the back). Friendly atmosphere and efficient service. With four handpumps on each counter, the choice of Sussex, Dark Mild and Wild Hop on my latest visit was less than often found, but the quality was exemplary as usual. Overall, absolutely top of the range.

On 1^st September 2023 - rating: 9
[User has posted 8679 recommendations about 8678 pubs]

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