Aulay's Bar, Oban

A traditional and attractive looking pub with plenty of hanging baskets and other foliage decorating the exterior, like the previous review I’m not sure whether we were in the bar or the lounge but it was the right hand one too. Whether the left-hand side was even open I’m not sure, there did not appear to be any internal access as far as I could see, so without going back out, along the pavement and back in again, it was impossible to tell. Décor wise it’s fairly traditional with sanded wooden boards on the floor, and black painted wood panelling on the celling, which might make it sound rather gloomy, but a number of inset and illuminated stained glass panels made it rather less so. The walls too were all black, although almost entirely covered in old black and white photographs of ships, so it was difficult to really tell what colour it was. Seating was a mixture of fitted and padded benches with a tartan covering, regular chairs and stools at the bar. A number of trophy shields were on one wall, and a TV up in the corner was showing the tennis, although the volume was off so this was not too intrusive. Unfortunately, there were no real ales on tap, despite the prominent “Traditional Ales” branding on the pub’s exterior, with just Caledonia Best and Innis & Gunn’s IPA on keg. Ciders fared no better with just Magners and Magners Dark Fruit. Overall, not a bad pub, and probably more of a local’s bar that some of the more touristy options nearby, but the lack of anything decent to drink rather defeats it’s raison d'être.

Typical Scottish town/city pub with a couple of bars. Looking at the previous reviews, I'm not sure whether I chose the bar or the lounge. It was the room on the right-hand side. Locals were either propping up the bar or at any of the tables in the room. Most were watching a Carabao cup match between Manchester City and Liverpool, with loyalties seemingly split. The keg selection was disappointing - Heverlee, Magners, Magners Dark Fruit, Tennent's Lager & Caledonia Best, John Smith's, McEwan Export, Stella & Innis & Gunn Lager & Session IPA. I had the Innis & Gunn IPA, which was distincly average. In fact, in contrast to the previous reviewers, this was my least favourite of the 7 Oban pubs I visited.

Although it was posted nearly ten years ago, I am in complete agreement with the previous review as this is definitely my favourite Oban pub. It is divided into two separate sections, one designated as the bar and the other as the lounge, although there is no great difference between them. There is always a good, friendly atmosphere and a mixture of locals and visitors. A pint of Tennent's lager cost me £3.10 and McEwan's Export was £3.20. Also on draught were Guinness, Magners and Blackthorn ciders, Heverlee and Stella Artois lagers and Bitter & Twisted and Schiehallion real ales.