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Beer of the Week (w/e 27th April 2025) with Thuck Phat
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Detail Pages
The Royal Oak, Worting, Basingstoke
Basingstoke
RG22 5EA
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 4 of 10) see review guidelines
Blue Scrumpy left this review about The Royal Oak
Situated out to the western side of Basingstoke, this is a basic locals' pub that appears to be under Nepalese ownership. It looked like quite a small space at first. The small front bar has a TV and a very worn carpet. Cutlery and condiments were available on a shelf. Whether that was for food served by the pub or whether it was for take-aways that you could bring in, I'm not sure.
To the rear, there is a much larger area with at least one pool table. Most of the keg pumps are also around the far side, which we missed when ordering. The three handpulls can be found in the front bar, but they don't look as if they have been used for a long time. As such, the selection was Amstel, Fosters, Cruzcampo, Guinness, Heineken, Moretti, Strongbow & Strongbow Dark Fruits.
The owners were very friendly and even offered us a croissant from a large box behind the bar. A few of the local Nepalese community came in during our visit, but we didn't see them purchase a drink. Meanwhile, another customer had a soft drink from McDonald's. There was also a child playing pool. So, presumably kids are allowed in.
As a place to have a game of pool or to watch some sports on a TV, this may serve a purpose for those living locally. But despite the friendly nature of the proprietors, I can't see this pub lasting in its current guise.
On 23rd October 2024
- rating: 3
[User has posted 3040 recommendations about 3038 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Graham Coombs left this review about The Royal Oak
A strangely Tardis-like pub, which feels like a fairly plain small local at the front - two facelifted rooms in a rather boring monochromatic colour scheme with an annoying sports TV dominating proceedings. Go through the back and you find yourself in a further huge bar, complete with pool tables, more TVs, music area etc. However as this was lunchtime, this was uninhabited and in darkness. Sadly the bank of 3 handpumps in the front bar have been out of use since Covid, with TEA or Doom Bar available in bottle being a poor substitute. There is a very small car park at front with more parking at the rear. One for locals seeking 'entertainment' only.
On 15th February 2022
- rating: 5
[User has posted 3641 recommendations about 3576 pubs]