Royal Oak, Dartfordback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Nice pub but would benefit from a guest ale if your not keen on Shep N ales...otherwise, good atmo.. would try again
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Quality pub, go there frequently, Rob is a top bloke as are the guys who serve, no kids, no trouble, great smoking area, good beer, good for sport.
Top local.
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Although I have already reviewed the Royal Oak previously, I would just like to expand and reiterate my original comments a little. Having recently paid my first visit of the year, I was immediately reminded of why I valued it so highly in the first place: this really is a rather excellent Shepherd Neame pub. It is seemingly always busy and with the gentle buzz of free-flowing conversation, the atmosphere is always more than tolerable. The staff are friendly and attentive, also. A good range of the breweries ales are generally available. On my recent visit: Master brew, Kent's Best, Spitfire and Bishops Finger - usually, a pump is reserved for the seasonal offering, although the clip was sadly turned on this particular occasion: the condition of the beer is always good - Oranjiboom and Hurliman are available for the lager lovers. Interior wise, the place is tidy, presentable and most importantly, comfortable. Background music is usually a good mix of rock and alternative classics. There are few plasma screens for sporting events and thankfully, they do not detract from the, usually, tranquil vibe the pub conjures up. There is also an accommodating - and most convenient! - beer patio, complete with heat lamp for the smokers amongst us. To conclude: visit this pub - you will not regret it. It just saddens me slightly, that I fail to frequent here as often as I perhaps should. After my recent experience, that will have to change.
HTM69 - 10 Mar 2009 10:33 |
Beers are the normal Sheps range and generally I find them in good or very good condition . It can get a bit loud and the music + the various Flat screen TV's definitely make this a haunt for 20-30 brigades , but saying that is frequented by a number of regulars who are somewhat older . Better than average boozer , lively and well run
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I can only agree with the other reviews on this site - The Royal Oak is easily the best pub in Dartford. The Shepherd Neame beers are always excellent, the landlord is wonderful: a larger than life, cheery character who greets everyone with a smile. Refreshingly, he knows how to run a pub and this filters down to his staff as well. The pub itself has a real rustic charm (yes, even stuck on the edge of Dartford town centre) and it always attracts a decent crowd. If I have friends visiting, this is the place I'll always take them.
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Great beer and nice regulars.
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Agree with all the reviews on here.... this and the rose are the two best "proper pubs" in dartford. Thankfully chavs do not choose to drink in here as they dont serve stella....
Just to re-iterate what others have said, good pint of boom and hurlimans.. nice staff and like the interior...
If you are an outsider visiting dartford and you want to go to a proper pub with nice beers, staff and gardens i would only visit here or the rose at the other side of town... do not go to any of the places in between!!!!!!!
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Quite possibly the best pub, not only in Dirtford, but in the surrounding area as well. An absolute gem of a pub that's a haven from the usual chav majority that inhabit The Tollgate, Paper Moon, Bull 'n' Vic et al.
The presence of 'Boom is an instant winner, as is the wide array of bottled beers in their fridges (Samuel Adams...what a find!). Their dartboard is a nice feature lacking in the majority of Dirtford pubs(dartboard = darts = stabbings), but BYO darts as theirs are a bit battered. The two plasma tvs are stunningly well placed so that, even when packed, both the upper and lower areas of the pub make great places to watch sports. The bar-staff are friendly and relaxed and the place is treated like a proper local.
All round a really nice pub to drink in.
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Good to see the Royal Oak is still the best pub in Dartford. In London next week, so may pop in for a couple of pints of 'boom.
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"Hammered" (previous posts) obviously was when he/she wrote their review. This is easily one of the best pubs in Dartford. Situated just far enough away from Chav Central (anywhere within 100 yards of One Bell Corner) TRO has efficient & friendly service, a damn good jukey, big (yet unobtrusive) plasma tv for all your sporting needs, and I absolutely double-dare you to try and feel threatened by any of the patrons. For those who live in the area and are looking for a nice local boozer with great friendly atmos this establishment ticks all the right boxes. The Bull 'n Vic it ain't ..... thank God!
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Best pub in Dartford, by some distance. Most people who know Dartford would say; "That's not difficult!". However this really is better in every way a pub can be.
Certainly, this was my "local" when i lived in Dartford. And about the only thing that I will miss about the place (except the Green Spice curry house in Darenth). And it's 'Boom was always a welcome sight. Can't seem to get it up in the Fens :-(
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I paid a visit to this pub based solely on the reviews I�d read here and it didn�t disappoint. Situated just a short way from the mayhem of the main high street, The Royal Oak not only has a warm and welcoming feel to it, but also, a plasma screen for sports, Oranjeboom on tap (a big plus for me!) and a lovely little beer garden at the rear. It all makes for the perfect drinking environment. I bypassed this pub for long enough. Make sure you don�t.
HTM69 - 21 Jul 2006 16:45 |
Without doubt, the Royal Oak is one of the best pubs in Dartford, if not, the best. For the most part, the pub attracts sensible drinkers, serves decent Shepherd Neame beers and has friendly staff. The building itself is quite old and despite several alterations it retains a lot of its character with plenty of original brickwork on display and an open fireplace. The basic furniture includes a few barrels for tables. A new plasma TV looks a bit out of place but comes in handy for sport events. The pub doesn�t usually get too crowded or smoky and there is also a decent beer garden for summer months. A very underrated pub that gets better with every visit.
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I used to go to this place when I was about 17 for my pre-Zens booze-up. (I know, I know...forgive me.) It was a hovel then and it still is, despite being completely transformed from a hovel with a carpet to a hovel with bare floors.
It is certainly safe as it is full of an older crowd. But is an older and *sadder* crowd. I went there with my wife and another female friend and they were oggled at as if no women had been there before. Which may be true.
The pub has also been adopted by Charlton FC fans. Oh God...it's just awful.
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Seems to be under new management.......still nice though.
Rob - 5 Apr 2004 14:46 |
Was at this pub for a pals birthday a couple of weeks back, it makes a change to go to a bar and not be confronted with plastic gangsters and street kids getting drunk and wanting to fight everyone, bar service is good and the choice of hurlimans and orangeboom beers instead of fosters and stella makes bar well worth a visit .
AJ73 - 10 Jan 2004 12:23 |
Was there last night for New Year's Eve. And yet again the Royal Oak didn't disappoint. Exactly how a pub should be run. Has had a litte redecoration recently, yet still retains the great atmosphere. Beer, as always was 1st class as were the satff.
Also must point out the clientele. It's always good to have genuine people who you can share a pint with and have a chat.
When i first recommended this pub i gave it a 9/10 rating. having been going there for the past 18 months, i can say that it should be 10/10.
C'mon BITE team. Give this place a visit in 2004!!!!!
Rob - 1 Jan 2004 18:17 |
Wonderful pub, great atmosphere, and an outstanding man behind the bar! Definitely the safest and most comfortable place for a good pint in Dartford.
tina - 5 Dec 2003 18:02 |
Good pub, good beer, good jukebox, good, atmosphere and to top it all of, great staff.
A rarity among pubs these days. A place where you can have a good beer and talk without shouting!! Tendts to cater for an older crowd 25+, which is no bad thing as you don't get drunk kids in there, going an about how hard they are and how much they can drink!
Gets busy on a Saturday, but only pleasntly so. Jukebox is loud enough to hear, but not so loud that it stops the noble art of conversation.
The Beer is first class, Oranjeboom a must! Always feels nice and cosy in there, somewhere to chill out. Has sport on the TV's, which is good.
Brilliant pub, my local and i love it!!!
Rob - 22 Jul 2003 15:22 |
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