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British Oak, Kidbrooke

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user reviews of the British Oak, Kidbrooke

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

Looking forward to visiting here again, have'nt been to the Valley for a while so looking forward to a pint before the game and hopefully 3 points v Stevenage.
MSE12 - 25 Feb 2012 10:10
A good pub, went there after watching Charlton. There were four beers on (Abbot, Theakstons XB, Doom Bar, Courage) and the two I had were well kept. The staff were friendly and polite, and there is a decent beer garden in the back which the kids enjoyed.

The bar I was in could do with being refreshed. Someone else mentioned it feels a bit like a village hall and I know what they mean, but that shouldn't put people off.
leeborders - 26 Sep 2011 13:24
Have just read the previous review, and happened to be in the pub on that night. The gentleman was very rude to other customers and also quite drunk. He was was not even drinking real ale, he was drinking guinness and red wine. The manager, was very tolerant and polite to him, however he insisted on parading around everyone and when some other people complained about him he was asked to leave. I think his comments may be a bit bitter, if you excuse the pun, as the Oak is a well known real ale house whose beers are exemplary and have many rave reviews.
janlbo - 14 Jan 2011 12:50
I witnessed staff surreptitiously serving customers beer slops from the overflow tray - an unhygienic practice. When I very politely mentioned this the bar manager was rude and aggressive. This place is a disgrace - they need to learn some better customer service.
davros63 - 7 Dec 2010 15:07
Great pub, usually pop in here on the way to the Valley, good ales, service and never any hassle in here, not to far from the ground 20-25 min walk.
carterse9 - 4 Jan 2010 17:12
Two room pub. That is, two distinct bars with separate entrances. Four beers on: Directors, Best, Doom Bar and Coaster.

There's a front courtyard and a decent rear back garden.

It's a well kept place, refurbished in the last year or so, but it lacks character. The side bar is a featureless extension of sorts. Feels a bit like a school gym or village hall or something. The layout of the tables and chairs in neat rows didn't help the feel of lack of character and imagination.

The beer was served in good condition.

There is a folk club every Tuesday. Food is served lunchtimes until 3.00. Sunday lunch is advertised at �4.95. Bargain!

An OK place which I wouldn't mind drinking in, but would rather push on for somewhere more interesting.
SilkTork - 30 Sep 2009 16:45
I visited for the first time last week on the way to football; the Standard had run out of ales again. Twice out of 2 visits this football season, so we wandered around the corner. We more than pleasantly surprised, 6 ales on offer, of those we tried they were all well kept.

This must be one of the last proper pubs in the area with 2 bars which have the added bonus of being clean and not with sawdust on the floor.

Worth a visit as better than the Sun in the Sands and has beer so obviously better than the Standard.

davetheaddick - 26 Sep 2008 09:50
Went back to my local for the first time since Sept 07 review below. Much improved. The place has obviously been tarted up and they even do some food now. Folk night was quite popular. Relaxed atmosphere. Ale fine, staff polite. This pub comes into its own in the summer anyway but good to see it busy.

And if the description in my earlier review appeals to you, suggest you go round the corner to the Sun in the Sands.
pubinspector - 23 Jul 2008 16:59
You don't gat many pubs as good as this one in SE London. there is no screaming jukebox, or TV blaring. The regulars are a civilised bunch of people. the landlord Peter is a decent sort, and his staff are very friendly and curteous.There are fantastic bands on every Saturday night and a Folk Club in the bar on Tuesdays. There is also a public bar - though I haven't ventured in there yet! There's also plenty of room for smokers, as well as the tables outside the front, there is also a wonderful garden area at the back. ...I'm off for a pint!
folkman - 17 May 2008 16:25
Turned up on a Saturday evening. Place has been done up since my last visit, and not bad either. Largish pub, although could only stay for the one - a decent enough pint of Cornish Knocker. There were another 3 RAs on I think, although can't remember the selection.

I'd describe the place as a good-average.
Mercurial - 7 May 2008 13:52
knob
lionbaz - 24 Apr 2008 17:32
cock
bibboy64 - 21 Apr 2008 00:12
Ignore previous posting, the pub has just had a lick of paint, good selection of ales, usual regulars, staff fine, not worrying at all.
lionbaz - 12 Apr 2008 18:01
My local. Walked in the other day and pub had turned into the bad remake of a Guy Ritchie gangster movie. Regulars, along with and the friendly and informal atmosphere mentioned below, had largely disappeared. Hopefully a blip. Anything to do with the Standard being tarted up? - noticed at least one refugee from there. Worrying.


pubinspector - 3 Sep 2007 16:45
changed hands again,new guvner a bit stuck up his own arse,beer coolers dont work beer and cider taste like luke warm tea,bit of music saturday nights top garden and nice to sit outside on summers day,sort the beer and guvner out[smile a bit mate]it might make a good boozer.
bibboy64 - 1 Jul 2007 12:00
new guvnor same punters,nice pub now old landlord has gone still a bit quite but still got that old worldy feeling,bar billiards background music top garden,a bit of food wouldnt go a miss great pub in the summer.give it a go if you aint been there before.
bibboy64 - 11 Feb 2007 11:22
i like this pub. Very traditional, and a regulars pub. And its got to be the only pub i have ever visited that has a billiards table. The bar staff are nice, one of who, is pretty tasty. beer is ok, have not been in the garden.
M1cky83 - 27 Sep 2006 16:15
This is a very relaxed,friendly and informal boozer; with a traditional,timeless'British Pub' feel to it.(Which is becoming a bit of a rarity nowadays considering the amount of pubs closing down and being turned into homes or pretentious wine bars and bistros!).

Don't Expect-Fine wines,a la carte menus and posers!

Expect-An honest,down to earth clientele that welcomes newcomers!For lovers of Real Ale,there is normally a new weekly guest ale served by considerate, polite bar staff!
I would recommend visiting on a hot day, taking a seat in the beer garden beneath the oak tree and supping on a nice pint of ale!
You can relax here with friends and regulars alike, and the atmosphere is genuinely chilling!
On Saturday's they often have live bands, and what is more, ENTRY IS FREE!


markwilliamson - 24 Sep 2005 19:34
I used to drink there 42 years ago when I was a teenager with a pal Terry who lost a leg below the knee in a motor bike accident, perhaps he still drinks there. it sounds as if the pub is still the same today.
Ian (Chalky) Whyte
Ian Whyte (Scotland) - [email protected] - 21 Oct 2004 11:42
Have moved away from Bolackheath now but I loved this pub: the bar billiards; the fishmonger who would come round selling cockles and the like every so often; the great Guinness; the fact that they have an annual collection to pay for the Charlton season ticket of a woman who has been drinking there for nigh on 50 years. Just goes to show that stripped pine and loud music can't replace real atmosphere.
Ciar�n - 26 Aug 2004 16:55
Top old-fashioned local boozer. Sod yer chain pubs, in this nicotine-stained corner of albion it will always be a hazy late summer day in 1973 (which is quite possibly when some of the regulars last moved from their bar stools). You won't find plush sofa's and r'n'b in here, this building exists solely for two purposes - beer and football (it's proximity to the Valley explains the signed Charlton shirt on the wall) - and were anyone to stroll in in Gucci loafers and request a Bacardi Breezer, i suspect they may well be strung up on the A2 flyover. Service is generally horizontally laid back, the less said about the food the better, and you'd propably have more chance of pulling in a nunnery - but hey, if you don't like it then go to Yates' or something.
Jay - 25 Jun 2004 16:55
We have held Greenwich Greenpeace meetings there for several years, and been made very welcome. Sometimes conversation from a group can get loud, but there is a lot of space, it is a 'local' (no regulars drive to get home) and there is a garden. (Don't drink beer, but it must be good 'cause the regulars wouldn't put up with it!
Roisin
Roisin Robertson - [email protected] - 31 May 2004 20:15
The British Oak is a great drinkers pub. Good beer served correctly. Used to be a hang out for Hail and Pace.

Nice beer garden in summer. I now live in Wyoming USA but remember the Oak.
Tom Elliott - [email protected] - 9 Apr 2004 13:19
used to be a really sexy girl who worked there. Think she was called Nicky. Always pulled a great pint.
Rob - 12 Feb 2004 08:57
Have only been in there once. Found it to be very quiet pub indeed.

Still this made for a novel change. And that's no bad thing. Don't tend to gravitate around this neck of the woods anymore so not sure if it's still as quiet.
Rob - 7 Feb 2004 10:41
A quite pub. By which I mean no noise. No music: noise is not tolerated! A lovely pub with ale drinkers and atmosphere! Not for everyone, but those who go out to actually communicate with other people as opposed to spending your time shouting at each other, this pub is a must.
Nicky - 5 Feb 2004 19:16

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