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Chat about:
Beer of the Week (w/e 13th October 2019) with Wittenden
on the Pub Forum
Image posted by Quinno _
Submitted on Monday, 9th June 2014
With picture contributions to 3700 other pubs
View all this pub's pictures (16 more images)
Detail Pages
The Royal Oak, Borough, SE1
SE1
SE1 4JU
Served areas
Reviews of The Royal Oak (Average Rating: 8½ of 10) see review guidelines
Jon B left this review about The Royal Oak
this was the best pub I visited in London across two days. though it was a little more foody than I expected. it’s well worth seeking out and just a short walk from Borough tube station. Good beer at reasonable central London prices and the Armada is a delicious pint. Old boys chatting away around an ornate bar. I could have spent a while here.
On 2nd February 2019
- rating: 8
[User has posted 624 recommendations about 616 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve of N21 left this review about The Royal Oak
I don’t get south of the river often but also reacquainted myself with this fine pub last week. As Quinno says nothing really changes here and all the better for it. The Harveys Mild was on fine form, the Fullers beer was HSB on this occasion (so I guess a small change) and there was actually another non Harveys guest on, but that was in the back bar and as we stayed in the front of the Harveys Brews I didn’t check out what it was. A timeless classic and being well utilised on this early evening visit. No need to change my original rating.
Original Review 21st June 2009
Excellent back street traditional corner boozer which is a little difficult to search out but well worth the hunt. And a rare Harveys outlet to boot.
Traditional old style public and saloon bar layout either side of a central serving area. The public is plain but lighter and airier than the saloon bar, having light coloured walls above wood panelling and wooden seating. Whereas the saloon has the more comfy chairs but with dark burgundy flock wall paper.
The full range of Harveys ales with both Light and dark Milds, Pale Ale and Sussex best through to the Porter and Armanda. These were priced at £2.80 for the Milds , through to £3.40 for the Porter and £3.50 for the Armada.
I tried both milds and they were excellent, and at 3% the Dark Mild proves you don't need a high abv to get flavour.
Also full range of Harvey's Ciders seemed to be available as well…
On 23rd July 2018
- rating: 9
[User has posted 1673 recommendations about 1622 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The Royal Oak
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.
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 7th October 2017
- rating: 9
[User has posted 3912 recommendations about 3900 pubs]
View more reviews of The Royal Oak (25)
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- Official site of The Royal Oak - www.royaloaklondon.co.uk
- Official site of The Royal Oak - www.harveys.org.uk
- Randomness Guide to London - Royal Oak entry
- CAMRA WhatPub :: The Royal Oak - whatpub.com
Pub Details
Pub details supplied by members of this site to the best of their knowledge. Please check with pub directly before making a special trip.
- Accommodation : No last updated 07 October 2017 by Quinno _
- Bar Billiards : No last updated 07 October 2017 by Quinno _
- Beer Festivals : No last updated 07 October 2017 by Quinno _
- Beer Garden : No last updated 07 October 2017 by Quinno _
- CAMRA Discount : No last updated 07 October 2017 by Quinno _
- Car Park : No last updated 07 October 2017 by Quinno _
- Child Friendly : No last updated 07 October 2017 by Quinno _
- Darts : No last updated 07 October 2017 by Quinno _
- Dog Friendly : No last updated 07 October 2017 by Quinno _
- Function Room : Yes last updated 07 October 2017 by Quinno _
- Hot Food : Yes last updated 07 October 2017 by Quinno _
- Jukebox : No last updated 07 October 2017 by Quinno _
- Karaoke : No last updated 07 October 2017 by Quinno _
- Live Music : No last updated 07 October 2017 by Quinno _
- Live TV Sports : No last updated 07 October 2017 by Quinno _
- Micropub : No last updated 07 October 2017 by Quinno _
- Pinball : No last updated 07 October 2017 by Quinno _
- Pool Table : No last updated 07 October 2017 by Quinno _
- Quiz Night : No last updated 07 October 2017 by Quinno _
- Real Ale : Yes last updated 07 October 2017 by Quinno _
- Real Cider : Yes last updated 07 October 2017 by Quinno _
- Wheelchair Access : No last updated 07 October 2017 by Quinno _
- WiFi : No last updated 07 October 2017 by Quinno _
