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Royal Oak, Vauxhall

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user reviews of the Royal Oak, Vauxhall

please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.

Totally agree with the last comment !
peterd56 - 28 Apr 2017 13:58
Cracking old-style boozer. It's what a south London pub used to be like, and I really enjoyed the bonhomie and atmosphere. Old geezers reading the Racing Post etc. Just two real ales available - Doom Bar and Cornish Coaster, but both were in excellent condition and nicely chilled. Friendly and efficient bar staff too. Recommended, particularly if rain stops play down the road.
Number11 - 1 Jul 2016 19:11
The Royal Oak, Vauxhall: On the face of it, a pub that has seen better days. But pubs are things which are often better off that way - or that can certainly suffer from overzealous overhauls or modish refurbishments. Indeed, there’s nothing about this place I would change particularly, other than maybe a lowering of the light, or a drawing of some of the curtains: this is not a cosy place to drink, but nor is it a summer sort of place either. Still, it’s not bad place to sink a few jars.
TheKindnessOfTrees - 14 Oct 2014 21:40
Old style public house run by old style barstaff and has old style customers, a cracking little dinking pub that serves "Marstons" real ale with pedigree and EPA on tap, the EPA was very well kept.

Only a short walk from Vauxhall train station and worth the efort to find it,
beershot - 21 Feb 2013 18:04
Nice old pub in all respects except that the doors to the bogs are left wedged open, from which a cloud of urinal chemicals waft.
AbeC - 31 Oct 2012 21:04
As others observe this is a no-frills local, nicely-kept Martsons EPA, and a welcome antidote to the chrome-seated establishments by the river a few hundred yards away. Has the added benefit of a quality jukebox positioned at a height where even a small lad can enjoy the menu of Irish and country hits on offer.
boony - 30 Mar 2012 14:21
The rebirth of the Oak. Beautiful Kenyan lady behind the bar and still a bit manky- the pub not the barmaid- A better range of ales than previous and clientele seeemingly less bewildered and derranged than in previous visits. Old school boozer. Great
JeremyBendthem - 22 Jun 2011 16:57
Mad old hags and toothless Irish gents in flat caps watching the horses, lots of Catholic idols and imagery around and behind the bar, I didn't notice the cleanliness of the tv(?!) but can attest to the overpowering stench of bleach pervading everything. Like stepping back in time but I suppose the price matched. Definition of 'local'.
popalug - 3 Jun 2011 13:26
"The cleanest TV"? What sort of an award is that?
This is Beer in the evening for heavens sake.
Cleanest TV my arse.
Dr_Pangloss - 2 Apr 2011 13:59
I have to agree with Mr InCredibles review. This pub has an amazing amount of drink & food choices. The list includes the finest Tayto crisps & pork scratchings and original red lemonade a classic. You also get the odd treat of a platter of food to nibble on (as hopefully can be seen in my photo if allowed to be uploaded ?) They also have the cleanest tv's ever (Again see photo). Wizzard..
minesastrongbow - 2 Apr 2011 13:33
Despite the spartan interior, this pub has it all. Wonderful local characters blend seamlessly with the workers from nearby offices. Very friendly sbarman, who has that 6th sense of knowing when a customer needs another refreshing ale or knowing when to put on the latest in Celtic entertainment via the melodious jukebox. TV screens available for those who love Countdown, etc and these are cleaned regularly.
All a London pub should be - on as par, if not better than anything else in the area. Superb.
mr_incREDible - 30 Jan 2011 20:09
Very nice old pub.
Just IPA on, but good.
Long, thin bar with booths down the side.
Marvellous jukebox with lots of Irish music on.
Big tvs, but quiet; probably a good place to watch Wolves/Villa and suchlike.
AbeC - 29 Sep 2010 22:41
Glad to say that this pub has been bought and saved as a good old fashioned, clean, straight pub in the middle of Vauxhall.
Well worth popping along to, for a safe, pleasant pint.
Princemonolulu - 13 Feb 2010 00:49
Rather like the Hoop and Grapes in Farringdon Street; would make a good gay bar.
Gingerqueerboy - 11 Jan 2010 00:39
going downhill, clearly not caring any more.
cmofish - 14 May 2009 09:43
Great to see people appreciating a pub which is what it wants to be, simply a good pub. Popped in this week (March '09) to sadly find out the genial Irish bloke who has been working there for twenty-odd years has left and the place is up for sale. Hope not much changes.
garygray - 13 Mar 2009 18:13
Brilliant pub!

Great atmosphere and a card of a landlord to boot (at least I think he was the landlord).

Recommended!
KittyP - 27 May 2008 17:02
I always pop in here when I am in Vauxhall. The staff and landlord are always friendly. Some people maybe put off the way it looks, but this is a good pub
Kerrminator - 9 May 2008 10:57
Still a good real pub. God I miss the smoking though. I don't smoke myself but this place was built for smoke: dark wood, light shining through the beautiful windows catching the pall of smoke and beautiful old ceramic ashtrays on the tables.
PSKI - 14 Apr 2008 17:02
Friendly local in the old style with a great interior.
beeronaut - 2 Oct 2007 13:58
Just fine - the Royal Oak has probably had been redecorated a few times since the 1950s but I'm betting the style hasn't changed.

By far the best pub around Vauxhall for a pint after the cricket - helped by the fact it's not on the direct route from the Oval to Vauxhall station
murgatroyd - 9 Sep 2007 21:40
Very nice old pub - comfy old seating along one side under old "Bass" acid glass windows. All very Victorian and pleasant. Not too busy. Quiet music, slightly of the magic FM variety.
Ale - only Bass, but well kept & nice.

AbeC - 12 Jan 2007 09:16
OK, this pub is a proper spit and sawdust place. No guest ales, just the standard beers and largers. It is mainly frequented by old men. But this is its charm. It is not a theme pub - there are no chocolate coloured faux leather sofas to be seen. Also the guy behind the bar is friendly aand warm. If your Irish you might like to know they stock Tayto crisps - a nice change from Walkers!
julesbaby - 17 Oct 2006 13:29
what a pub, its great!, very friendly and the landlord is fantastic...
owena1 - 3 Dec 2005 19:18
Nice little pub, very much in the traditional style, and mostly populated by locals.
ChrisF - 28 Aug 2005 11:58
nothing special, but not especially awful either. Staff warm to yuo if you stay for a session or two
oneoverthe8 - 7 Apr 2005 20:19
Its a nice local pub, easy for the train.
anonymous - 29 Dec 2004 13:11
Good community pub. Popular with locals and commuters.
frank christie - 12 Apr 2004 16:34

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