please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
The pub closed suddenly about a year ago and looked as if the staff and customers had just vanished. After a refurbishment it re-opened this spring as the Oddfellows Arms. And it is a bit odd being neither a pub nor a café. Why do Europeans manage to pull the café bar concept off so much better? Felt rather cliquey and unfriendly when I visited. My pint was average but very expensive as was everything on their menu. Better pubs nearby.
|
Snarling Mallard - the "free cheese" you mention (sorry, didn't see you on Sunday, did I?) relates to the Cheese Society established by the locals - who donate the cheese and port - to raise money for charity. It has been running for many years now.
If you had paid a quid, you could have joined in.
|
An old man's Charles Well's house a little bit away from the main drag in Harpenden. Seems reasonable enough but the pint of Youngs wasn't up to a lot and the music selection appeared to be more for the staff than clientelle. Also looks like they have free cheeee for locals.
|
Went to pub for sunday lunch today and arrived prompt at 12.
Was told by a older guy working the bar that I was too early.
So I reminded him it was 12 and his response was well we can open when we like and we have decided to open at 12:10 today
I was shocked by his weird attitude.
He then asked me to wait outside until then..even there was no one in the pub!
I said I would rather not and left.
This pub has a nice setting but has a reputation for bad service and odd bar staff. Clearly this guy had forgotten that pubs are for punters and not self serving odd balls.
Avoid like the plague!
|
Nice looking Charles Wells pub overlooking a small green, far enough away from the main road traffic and High Street shops to give the place the feel of a village pub. Decent pint of Bombardier, with Youngs Ordinary and Adnams Broadside on the other handpumps. No sign of the reported under-agers either.
|
There are TWO things I love about this pub ... I imagine you can guess what they are
|
I've been in the oak tree for the past five months and at first i never liked it as they asked me as a 25 year old (what i was at the time) for I.D which has never happend in harpenden before. But when i tried thier Guinness it was great the 2nd best i've had outside of my homeland Ireland. Also If you are like me and want a lager top lemonade first then ask for it as you will get a top and whats strange is they have cleaned there pumps every sunday at 10.45pm that i've been there but saying that they dont do food which is a pain as when they do food nights like curry ones its great 4/5 to the chef but the best thing is the landlady she is so nice and makes you want to come back i had to type this as i know this is long as most of the stuff on this page i've read i have never seen and if you want too know what this pub is really like cheak it out
|
Really enjoyed paying a visit to The Oak Tree. It's a very welcoming pub, with very cheerful and bubbly staff (just how we want it!) Love all the little added extras, such as the fire. Best pub toilets I've seen in years. Definately going back in the near future!
|
This is a really nice pub. We've drunk here a number of times over the last few months, since moving to Harpenden, and really like it. We've never seen any under-age drinkers, male or female. The service is good, as is the beer. The regulars are of mixed age, and friendly. The landlady is friendly, welcoming and efficient. We'd recommend a visit.
|
The Oak.....Used to be a nice place to pop in to for a half and a good chat but lately the only people to chat to have been under age chav boys and sadly if i wanted that i would have stayed at home with my own kids....!!!....I would sadly nolonger feel happy to bring my grandchildren in for a coke, although i feel they would have more in coman and more to talk about with people of there own age...!!!!...BRING BACK THE OLD WAYS PLEASE AND DUMP THE LITTLE BOYS...
|
It seems to me there are an awful lot of people who want this pub to fail(god only knows why).I was in there this weekend(6/09/2008)and i found the whole experience very pleasant.The broadside ale was divine and was served to me by a lovely and friendly lady.There was the usual mix of yocal locals,young and old alike who seemed to enjoy each others company which made it a pleasant place to be.I stayed well into the evening enjoying the ale and atmosphere.Even when the so-called lager louts appeared,they were well behaved and even took time out to converse with myself.As for the sandwich comments on here,i peronally didn't sample this fare but i did see some served to a group of people and they looked more than edible,served with a side salad and potato crisps.Who cares where they come from? All the plates that i saw went back to the kitchen empty.All in all this is a great old fashioned pub(which unfortunatley are few and far between)that has a fine selection of ales served by friendly staff and a great mix of clientele.I for one will definately be returning as soon as possible.
|
I have read these comments with interest. It is true that since the departure of the landlord the standards of this pub have declined hugely. But never fear, they now serve 'fresh' sandwiches which I know for a fact they buy in from Boswells cafe down the road but they remove them from the packaging presumably so you cant see the sell-by date! How difficult is it to make a sandwich, really?? The landlady must be stupid or lazy beyond belief. Wouldnt recommend eating here!
|
This pub now appears to be run by the landlady and her rat-like boyfriend who has allegedly been sacked from several local pubs/clubs for theft. If you dont mind under-age drinking and flat beer, this is the pub for you but CHECK YOUR CHANGE!
|
To be fair, the pub has had the same landlady for at least 18 months (can't remember exactly)and it is getting better.
|
Seems to be perpetually changing hands, and clutching at straws. A pity because, not so very long ago, this was a decent boozer. Visited last Saturday night - place was deserted, before a sudden rush of local youths... and five minutes later a rush of local OAPs. Can't imagine either group can be much impressed. Neither was I, one pint and out.
|
This used to be a nice pub with good beer. Last time I visited the Oak Tree the bitter (John Smiths)was completely undrinkable and my partner's lager was as flat as a pancake, even after having it changed once. To add insult to injury, the service was slow and there is no food or internet access as advertised. I will not be going back here and I would recommend anyone who enjoys good beer stays well away
|
Had high hopes this place was on the way up, but now not so sure. Strongly disagree about quality of the beer (well lager in my case). I'm not a fan of Red Stripe, but the alternative was Fosters. Went in on Friday evening and had to leave it, was truly disgusting (almost to the extent of being "off"). Service was slow as well to add insult to injury.
|
A good local pub with the usual aray of regular inmates. Beer is usually very good and the atmosphere very friendly. Sadly, no food at the moment.
|
Fundementally a charming little pub. Good ale. Has an irritating clientele shift at the weekend when it seems to get overrun with annoying (local?) proto-chav/ratboys.
DHooks - 18 Nov 2004 11:07 |
