please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
The Royal Oak doesn't look much from the outside. But the interior has been modernised and it had a fairly friendly atmosphere, with a number of different drinking areas. The modern interior seems to work for once. Ales were fairly standard national ales - Black Sheep Golden Sheep, Greene King IPA, Sharps Doom Bar & Bass. But I was quite happy with the Westons Family Reserve.
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A very busy pub offering table service with a smart, modern, antiseptic interior. Mostly well-dressed clientele aged 30+. As the previous reviewer stated, an uninspired range of ales - Greene King IPA, Doom Bar and Bass (the latter in such good condition that I didn't try the others). Ciders were Strongbow and Westons Family Reserve. £16 for a bottle of Pinot Grigio.
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Under new management.Had a makeover and is now modern uncluttered look.Sells a run of the mill range of real ales.
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Perfectly decent pub that gets very busy Friday and Saturday nights - although there are times when it just lacks a certain something - maybe its the lack of background music, but then thats not to everyones taste. Handy seating area at the back
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Called in yesterday and tried the Hobgoblin (a beer that is not a patch on its former self after its down grading to 4.5% abv) which was a decent enough pint. I'd have stayed for another of the four ale's that were available but the pub stank of those yellow bricks you find in the bottom of the urinal in the toilet. Shame really because its a good, down to earth, no thrills boozer.
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The Royal Oak has changed little over the last 14 or 15 years since Ray took over. Still serving good condition regular real ales and guest beer(s). The clientelle are generally still your local Earlsdon residents rather than the pub crawling, pre-clubbing youths and drunkards that are taking over the area these days.
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The smoking ban seems to be having a serious effect on the numbers. It is noted that you can still smoke in the "garden" a small collection of dying houseplants and the largest gravel ashtray in the world. We await the new marketing masterplan with anticipation and trepitation.
anonymous - 16 Sep 2007 21:14 |
i cannot believe all these negative comments about this pub,i have recently experienced great service and great beer. i can understand some of the gripes, changing barrels at peak times and the clean ashtray fetish can be annoying but overall has to be an above average pub. I am surprised that the owner has not risen to these negative inputs - maybe a comment or 2 in the myspace arena, after all he is the land lord of the oak! Think I might try a search! to see the response if any.
anonymous - 27 May 2007 18:11 |
This pub seems to get a regular shoeing from other contributors but on my visit on a pub crawl round Coventry on 24/2 I thought the beer was good and the landlord is a friendly bloke. Worth a visit.
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Nothings changed apart from the wall paper! Same chattering class customers smoking like chimneys.Beer is just as average as before.Still, good to see Ray rushing around emptying ashtrays -suppose he needs the exercise after his 6 month "holiday"
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Wed 14th Feb - re-opens with new decor. Draught beer good, fridges cold so mixers chilled, wine still out of paris goblets.
Decor is updated Rovers Return with the shineist floor ever laid.
Good to have a choice again - please keep up the standard of the beer !!!!!!!
anonymous - 16 Feb 2007 08:21 |
Royal Oak now reopen!!
I concur jowever with the previous post. One also wonders whether or not the refrigerators will now actually refrigerate? Will the ice buckets actually have more in them than lukewarm water?
The weather forecast for Coventry is rain, hmmm!!
anonymous - 14 Feb 2007 20:44 |
Is it really going to happen? After some 7 months, the Royal Oak is going to open!!!
Latest date offered is the 14th February. But members of the management have differing views on the validity of this information. Looking forward to the new decor, cloudy Bass, imported (transit van)Tetleys,small TV, expensive beer, warm mixers and the shortest 24 hour licence in operation. Posted by No Flood - No Cover Insurance Services.
anonymous - 12 Feb 2007 23:28 |
O'dear, despite reports in local newspapers that reopening would take place at the end of November the Oak is still closed.
The 'speak on the street' is that work is to be completed by the 08 Jan 07, with reopening at the end of January (John Boy is getting desparate)
When it's open it's open. But to be honest, interest is waning.
anonymous - 9 Jan 2007 02:49 |
Royal Oak to reopen end of November / beginning of December.
Just the back bar to begin with. The rest of the pub is to open in the New Year after redecoration
anonymous - 18 Nov 2006 23:36 |
Royal Oak undergoing cellar repairs - Cottage undergoing major rebuild - Millsys' undergoing extensive rebuild.
Please someone where is there somewhere decent to drink in Earlsdon ?
A thirsty bitter drinker
anonymous - 29 Oct 2006 20:00 |
Incredible series of events rocks the Oak. The indoor swimming pool has been contaminated with fresh rain water, Again! This has now delayed the opening beyond 2006. Some of the locals have moved to a building site and have been seen urinating in the street. Latest odds: Q1 2007 opening 25/1; New Management 10/1; New insurance company 1/15!
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Substantial flood damage means closure for the foreseeable future - think October earliest.
anonymous - 3 Sep 2006 18:54 |
Perhaps the recent flood might result in the place being given a thorough clean. Although one seriously doubts it, after all, a small flood taking over a week to resolve
anonymous - 28 Aug 2006 03:03 |
A 1990's marketing success turned 2002,3,4,5,6 disaster. The beer is now subject to barrel rolling competitions the day before its required. Thats assuming the bills have been paid and there is any. The decoration hasnt been changed in a decade. The smell from the drains masks the sour ales. The only plus point is the table service by students who have more about them than the management.
anonymous - 16 Aug 2006 15:28 |
Nice pub - gets v.busy on Friday and Saturday nights - shame they stop serving at 11pm still
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Not as good as it once was. Tends to get busy for a while on Friday and Saturday nights, but seems to have reached its peak (and beyond) a few years ago.
Good choice of beers but such seems to range from quite good to awful. Such inconsistency is consistent.
Nice crowd of people - teachers, Lawyers, Social workers, all very friendly. Have to agree with a previous post however, some very strange people also, yes, like the guy who looks like the dwarf in Fantasy Island. Still it takes all sorts
anonymous - 10 Jan 2006 01:25 |
Beer can be reasonable to very iffy! But in general a good starting point for a crawl.
anonymous - 19 Nov 2004 16:04 |
An excellent pub with great atmosphere. The beer is good but perhaps the sparklers are on just a bit tight as it always takes an age to settle.
The only problem is that it gets extremely crowded so, if you have managed to get a table, the table service is especially welcome.
Nathan - 11 Jun 2004 22:01 |
This is an excellent pub, with a very friendly atmos. Good selection of ales and wine. The table service is a bonus - providing you can get a table! Place gets seriously busy on weekends! Covered beer garden is a nice idea.
Sal - 11 Jun 2004 15:39 |
Come and join the locals in a great pint of Tetleys/Bass/Mild. Just sit down and the staff will wait on you hand and foot
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A thriving welcoming pub in the middle of Earlsdon, with a lively conversational buzz.
Ansell's Mild, Bass and Tetley are in excellent condition. Two front rooms with bare floorboards and wooden tables. No food (but plenty of places to eat nearby). A real fire plus an award-winning beer garden (not seen on my visit of 29/10/03 as it was 9pm and pouring with rain). Attracts visitors from outside the area as well as locals, and all age-groups drink in this pub. Another feature is an at-seat table service which gives the place an individual identity.
A good pub, and well worth a visit. I am giving it 8/10.
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Quailty drinking pub, no music but a good atmosphere with wateriess service and a quailty garden.
simon birley - 21 Oct 2003 19:09 |
