Borough's Royal Oak Pub
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The Borough may not be the new Hoxton (a dubious accolade that is currently bestowed on New Cross) but it does have some outstanding pubs. The Royal Oak serves as a template for what a proper pub should be like.
Firstly, it has great beer from an independent family brewery, Harveys of Lewes.
In addition to the delicious Sussex Best Bitter the Royal Oak serves seasonal beers including one named after the eighteenth-century radical Tom Paine, who worked as an excise officer in Lewes. My favourite is Bonfire Boy, a strong ale with a hearty 5.8% abv. The beers are invariably served in top condition.
Secondly, this looks like a pub.
The Royal Oak is a great example of a reproduction Victorian pub. While it has only existed in its present form for 10 years, it looks and feels much older. This feeling is heightened by the contrast with the recently-completed Tabard Square development, whose 22-storey tower overshadows the pub.
Thirdly, it has no music and no fruit machines.
When I worked nearby my younger colleagues referred to the Royal Oak as 'the old blokes pub', which I took to be an inadvertent testimonial. The pub inevitably tends to attract beer enthusiasts but they are an essentially harmless breed (although you would be unlikely to hold a heat of Britain's Best-Dressed Man at a CAMRA gathering). The clientele consists of locals and a high concentration of after-work drinkers. The pub also has a reputation for great food.
Pubs as good as this are few and far between. If I live long enough I like to believe that one day theme pubs will be like the Royal Oak.
But watch out at weekends: The Royal Oak is closed on Saturday lunchtimes and Sunday evenings.
In addition to the delicious Sussex Best Bitter the Royal Oak serves seasonal beers including one named after the eighteenth-century radical Tom Paine, who worked as an excise officer in Lewes. My favourite is Bonfire Boy, a strong ale with a hearty 5.8% abv. The beers are invariably served in top condition.
Secondly, this looks like a pub.
The Royal Oak is a great example of a reproduction Victorian pub. While it has only existed in its present form for 10 years, it looks and feels much older. This feeling is heightened by the contrast with the recently-completed Tabard Square development, whose 22-storey tower overshadows the pub.
Thirdly, it has no music and no fruit machines.
When I worked nearby my younger colleagues referred to the Royal Oak as 'the old blokes pub', which I took to be an inadvertent testimonial. The pub inevitably tends to attract beer enthusiasts but they are an essentially harmless breed (although you would be unlikely to hold a heat of Britain's Best-Dressed Man at a CAMRA gathering). The clientele consists of locals and a high concentration of after-work drinkers. The pub also has a reputation for great food.
Pubs as good as this are few and far between. If I live long enough I like to believe that one day theme pubs will be like the Royal Oak.
But watch out at weekends: The Royal Oak is closed on Saturday lunchtimes and Sunday evenings.
Here Is The Writer : John Kirk
John Kirk works at Precise Media where he monitors newswires and business internet sites. He previously worked in the wine trade and has lived in southwest London for 18 years. John grew up in Bristol and is in his fifth decade as a Bristol City fan. After a long and undistinguished career as a club cricketer he has recently taken up golf, reasoning that his lack of foot movement will be an asset. John is also interested in City churches and pubs.
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