please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
The Royal Oak has been my favourite haunt for the last two years. Close to home, great wine and good food - lots of local friends gathered here regularly however something has changed. The former set of staff who were friendly, welcoming and who basically made the pub the success it was, have been replaced - all of them.
It's just not the same anymore which is sad. Some people need a lesson in manners...
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Difficult to assess really, seems like a pub trying to reinvent itself as a bar/restaurant, and failing miserably. There were two Adnams pumps but didn’t feel I could trust them so had a Kronenbourg . The menu included oysters, calamari fritti, wild boar sausages, getting the idea? Good background music but clearly too loud for the size of the place and number of clientele - only a handful at 5pm on a Saturday. Finally, for a place looking to go upmarket the gents toilets were a disgrace.
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I haven't been to the Oak for over a year and what used to be a well cared for pub; looked shabby and in need of some TLC. The tables need a varnish and the ladies toilet could do with tarting up....its a shame! It was my favourite pub in Clapham and at the moment, there are newer pubs in the vicinity that is vying for the Oak's clientele, so it should take note! Food and wine up to standard though.
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By far the best pub in the area, The Guinness is great, the staff are really good; it's got a great atmosphere. Perhaps the TV could spend more time off.
On Sunday's it's rammed with people eating their Sunday roast which smells fantastic, but isn't great if you just want a few beers.
A great pub though.
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Nice pub, never horrifically packed like other pubs in the area.
If you are looking to watch football however, just be aware that they don't play the commentary and to compound your misery, they may only show half a game! Whilst we were there last Saturday the tv was switched over at half time to rugby which had 2 minutes to go of their first half. Bemused, we asked the staff if they were going to show the football or the rugby's second half. Answer was - rugby. Apparently some lads had booked a table to watch the rugby although oddly were only bothered about the second half.
On a positive note, I guess the above must make pleasant reading for rugby fans!
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Nice pub and nice bar staff humoured a first visit of the day for me and a happy colleague...
And yes beer was flat, ale has run out, so this was the let down. Would re-visit and reserve judgement for a second time...
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Pleasant and smart enough hostelry over from Clapham North tube.
Limited range on draught at the bar... neither of the 2 Adnams beers they had were on at the time and I understand the lager was a bit on the flat side.
However, friendly courteous service smoothed things over.
Nothing outstanding but reasonable enough but they want to change the barrels on the beer and sort out the lager.
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As a veteran of 'clahm' for 10+ years this is by far one of the best pubs in the area. Anyone who used to go to the Rose & Crown in Old Town and still disappointed by how downhill it's gone should make their way here. Great food, reasonably priced, good music, friendly staff who will always serve a cold drink. If you like this you should venture into Oval to the Royal Albert.
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Solid pub this. Usual selection of lagers and a couple of ales. Service has always been pretty quick, and I've always managed to find a seat.
Food is good, and I personally think it's reasonably priced, certainly in comparison to everywhere else in Clapham.
I particularly like the way that they don't have a minimum limit for using a card. This small point boosts its score from a 7 to an 8.
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Has improved - but quite often walk out and feel like you have smoked 20 rothmans. bring on the smoking ban. "Conservatory" at the back is not a nice place to be.
Food and service on the other hand are very good.
anonymous - 7 Mar 2007 18:27 |
Most improved pub in clapham when i first started drinking in this pub about 18months ago it was frankly cr*p but decided to give it another chance just after chrimbo and have been a big fan ever since now one of the best pubs in clapham.
juzza - 30 Mar 2006 15:15 |
Fact: The royal Oak is a great bloody pub and any talk of overpriced food or any other derogitory comments should take their custom to rubbish like Rinky Dink et al. Great food, great viewing, great tunes and great staff. And no I don't own it!
Darce - 20 Oct 2005 12:27 |
Not too shabby at all, considering the less than salubrious surroundings. Decent music and ok range of beers. Food looks good, but yet to eat here as I'm always put off by the price. Loses one point for the Adnams being too warm, and another for the drunken Irishman accosting me in the bogs on Sunday night though.
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Are we sure that this pub has a dart board?
anonymous - 28 Jul 2005 15:17 |
I only moned in to Clapham at Christmas but I am very happy to say that I have had nothing but excellent fun and great food at this pub. The staff are great and very welcoming especially the manager and it all appears very clean and just what you would hope for. Great music too. A lovely vibe. Keep it up!
anonymous - 26 Jun 2005 13:04 |
A good pub, and much better since the refurb. Excellent food/sunday roasts, pleasant surroundings and atmosphere, and decent beers. Like a lot of the flavour of the month pubs in Clapham it gets far too busy on weekend nights, so be warned, or avoid it in favour of week nights.
anonymous - 23 May 2005 11:30 |
I dont agree with the last user. Roasts here are bang on. Have been going for months, with loads of mates, and have never had a bad one. Staff do look a bit rough sometimes but their service is all good. Best pub in Clapham by far. Keep up the good work!
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Went on a sunny sunday - roast dinners ran out by 1pm, the staff had been up all night partying, which is very rock and roll but makes for terrible service, and people in the beer garden ended up nipping to the newsagents next door for their soft drinks, rather than face a 20 minute wait at the bar.
It needs some management desperately!
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This is a nice pub. Only thing that lets it down is the food which ain't bad but just very overpriced for what you get.
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I like this place. Sure it is very Clapham, but clean, comfortable, good food and some very tasty men. Great place to meet before a cheesy night out at Inferno's!
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The Royal Oak used to be my favourite pub in Clampham. The atmosphere was amazing, chilled and cool. It has changed a lot over the past three months.
The new manager's unfriendliness and long faces are shocking.
The atmosphere- and the prices- resemble more and more of The Sequel and, honestly, it sucks.
Prices have gone up ridiculously, with service charge added to every bill -it used to be added only to food.
The staff is still friendly but, honestly, there is something rotten in that place.
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great pub! love the staff, love the music, love the atmosphere... only thing is need to watch the prices!
claire - 20 Nov 2003 16:32 |
Good Sunday lunch. Great for groups. Watch out for the service charge (it's expensive enough as it is).
Jimmie - 6 Aug 2003 16:32 |
The Royal Oak has been taken over by the same people that own Sequel and Rapscallion in Clapham. It does the best Sunday roasts in the area and offers a wide range of wines and food. Excellent service and the odd celeb working there! Great place for chilling with your mates!
Kirsty - 18 Jul 2003 13:15 |
Recently been refurbished. Leather sofas (not to be missed!) Great chilled out music and relaxed atmosphere. The staff are friendly and table service is provided. Food is fab - good mix of snacks and mains. Definitely my favourite pub in Clapham - 9/10.
Emma - 3 Jul 2003 09:22 |
