The Royal Oak, Borough, SE1

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.

Interesting old pub: looks little changed over the years. 4 ales from the Harveys range (Pale, Old, Sussex & Star of Eastbourne one evening last week) plus one of Fullers (HSB when I was in). Don't visit for the comfort or Sky Sports - go for the traditional interior and the ale, of course.

excellent pub,rare Harveys oulet.