please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
The Royal Oak is the 3rd most common pub name in the UK.
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Used to be a nice pub. Now.....
Rude ignorant lazy staff. Particularly unpleasant to guests with children.
Drab depressing interior. Place needs a complete makeover, soul destroyingly dull.
Must explain the lack smiles from the indifferent feral staff.
Go here if you wanna slit your wrists and listen to little englanders reveal their racism while staff agree,
Nice pint of Carling
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I like this pub.
Although I'm not a great fan of Youngs beer (their principal hand pulled beer) it is well kept and they do have interesting guests including Black Sheep and Timothy Taylor's Landlord.
The pub is certainly unpretentious with a "pub grub" menu.I have eaten several times and the food has always been good and of particularly good value.
I am surprised by the comments of surreypubdrinker (24 June 2012)-without exception I have always found the staff friendly and efficient.
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Have't been in this pub for years.. shocked at the lack of interest and professionalism of the staff.. what a shame. It used to be a class act of a pub
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Nice pub & Carling only �2.55
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I popped in tha Oak for a couple of quiet pints a few weekends ago, I must say that its not a bad pub. On this occasion however there was a dog barking its head off and running around on the seats (inside the pub) it was making such a racket and annoying other customers but the owners or the barstaff didn't seem to care.
I didn't stay!
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We found the staff worse than indifferent! Last year a few of us in our vegetarian and vegan group were going to this pub quite regularly because they had a vegan falafel burger. Now they have taken it off the menu and were not even willing to customise anything for us although we had come a long way to this pub. We were stuck with chips and beans, boring! We will not be back, they were vegan-friendly last year but dropped that side of the food despite it having gained them lots of new customers (who they will now have lost)!
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Alway good food here, friendly staff.
JET60 - 16 Aug 2009 05:29 |
Live close by and have visited more often recently. Seems to be well run now and although maybe not too friendly is certainly efficient. Not quite so much rifraf in there any more either which is probably a positive reflection on the current management. Food wholesome and straightforward and pretty good value although no sunday roast was available after about 4pm. Beers are well kept and the old speckled hen recently was excellent but only choice of 2 ales. Nice big garden on a summers day and regular sky sports in the bars. 7 out of 10 for the effort being put in here.
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I agree with the last comment , it's nothing to write home about really . The garden isnt that nice , especially when you're trying to have a quiet drink & there are obnoxious kids running around with parents who completely ignore the fact that their offspring are irritating other drinkers , but you get that in any pub I suppose . The ladies loos are pretty naff , no room to swing a cat , toilet paper is very elusive sometimes , sanitary towel bins are sometimes overflowing ( sorry but it's true ! ) & there always seems to be a horrible musty smell in there . As for the bars , well there are one or two reasonably cheerful barmen but the landlord always looks as miserable as sin to me , as do some of the barmaids & one of them asked me to move along the bar to be served so I was nearer to her & the till ! Bloody cheek , hasnt she got legs ? I should've complained to the landlord at the time but let it go , if it happens again though he will get an earbashing .
I reckon the pub needs a good makeover , it's quite shabby & needs painting & brightening up . Apart from all that , it's ok I suppose . I wouldnt want to spend every night in there though , once in a while is quite enough .
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They�ve introduced a new menu since my last visit, with the main change (as far as I can see) being the removal of the 2 for �8 offer. Two real ales on � Young�s Bitter and Black Sheep Bitter. It�s got a nice garden, and the interior is comfortable enough, but as I said before there�s not really anything special about it, and it�s not really worth going out of your way to visit.
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Apparently the Evening Standard Pub of the Year in 1979. I can�t imagine it getting into contention now. There�s nothing intrinsically wrong with it, but on the other hand there is nothing that makes it stand out from the crowd. Just Young�s Bitter in the way of real ale, but that�s an OK beer. Food wasn�t too bad, although my gammon steak didn�t look like it had ever been anything like the 10oz they advertised. Probably the best Pub in New Malden, although that isn�t saying a lot. It does have a rather nice beer garden though. Good enough pub if you happen to be in the area, but not worth going out of your way to visit.
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I like this pub
Like it alot.
Nice people behind the bar,it has improved no end over the last few months.10/10
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We really like this pub, and I was surprised at the comment that it needs a facelift, because it was refurbished on the inside just a year or so ago. I think it's quite homely and friendly and perhaps they've gone deliberately for the 'shabby chic' look beceause it's quite old. The garden is a bit shabby and nondescript and could do with some brightening up. The food is excellent and this is one of the few establishments in this area that gets near top marks for food hygiene on a recent inspection. Several local eateries got only 1 or 2 stars out of a possible 5, this got 4. The only problem is car parking - very small car park and it's not a good area for street parking, with very narrow roads and lots of commuter parking during the day, but it's on a bus route and close to the station!
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The Royal Oak hmmmm.... the best place in New Malden if you fancy a quiet drink-because it's always empty there...
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Not bad but needs a facelift. There is a nice selection of beers so the drinker isn't just stuck with the usual big brands. Also they show live football at the weekends and its quite comfortable. Its a bit dark and dingey on the inside and could do with a lick of paint but there is a decent sized beer garden. Not a lot of trouble here either so in my opinion this is the best of the high st pubs in new malden. Foods not bad either.
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I would highly recommend this pub to anyone! I went to the Royal Oak this week with my wife and son. The service was amazing and there was a great atmosphere. All the staff and punters were friendly and I got chatting to the new managers Dale and Nadine. They are a lovely couple who have turned around this place around. The food was cooked very well and i enjoyed a few extra cold pints of gunniess even more!
My wife was very impressed with how well kept and clean the bar and restaurant was, and my son loved watching the sports on the plasma screens.
The Royal Oak is a great place to eat, drink and be merry!
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who is that loud northern bloke in the public bar??
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It's so old looking, I guess you'd call it a character pub! Handy for bus route and only 10 minutes walk from station. The food menu looks good, and cheap, and is served till 9pm, so I'll go back and try it sometime. Slightly concerned about the Kids' Menu, that makes it look more like a Happy Eater than a pub! And although a long list of cask ales was displayed above the bar, only two taps were seen (Youngs Ordinary and Courage Directors).
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This pub has so much potential but is really underachieving. Lovely Victorian building with lots of original features inside and out, numerous drinking and eating areas inside the rambling interior. I counted 9 handpumps of which just two were operational, one serving Youngs Ordinary, the other somewhat unusually had Mauldons May Bee (seasonal)on. The MB was only just passable, slightly hazy and to be honest I would have changed it if there was a possibility of getting something better.
Come on Royal Oak, you could do so much better than this.
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IMHO the Royal Oak as improved due to the smoking ban and management now seemingly sorted - after Sean left they seemed to change every week. The food has also recently improved (we had some dire scampi around July/August).
This is a standard pub good for a local beer but I wouldnt go out of my way for it.
That being said, if they could start getting a bit of variety on the ales I'd go more often - even Bombardier/Spitfire would be a change from the Bass
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My hobby is to visit the UK in search of the best ale in the best pubs, I am looking for that authentic British Pub, with authentic British food and authentic British Real Ale is a must. The Royal Oak looks the part but looks are deceiving, the first thing I must say about this place is that the service is the worst I have ever experienced. Running a pub is a business and part of that business must be customer service, a pub must be a welcoming environment, a home away from home. The Royal Oak does not provide customer service the royal oak is not a welcoming environment nor is it a home away from home. It is a depressing environment, with depressing, rude staff and customers who are totally without manners. I work hard for my money and I am very particular about whom I give it to this is one establishment I will never set foot in again unless it changes owner and staff. The ale however was just ok, because of the poor service and attitude I decided not to eat from these people.
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Sean was a good landlord, friendly. Enjoy the beer here.
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Bring back Sean. He would have chucked the pikey and the mouthy northerner out of the public bar.
anonymous - 2 Sep 2007 11:57 |
My first visit to New Malden. We looked in two pubs which were playing such loud music (one had a DJ) that any attempt at conversation would have involved lots of shouting. So skipped these and thankfully found the Royal Oak.
A large, impressive Victorian boozer, this has a much more civilized atmosphere and was also offering three real ales. I had two pints of Adnam's Broadside which were in pretty decent condition, although not as sharp as fresh they should be.
I like the layout of this place: with several rooms, it actually looks like an old-fashioned pub, not one of those cavernous places where all rooms have been bashed through into one. I especially like the partition separating the public bar, with a 5-foot high doorway in it. An original feature - or if not, where did it come from? The outside, with what look like many original features (eg. 'Public Bar' engraved over one grand entrance), is also worth taking a while to look at.
I would certainly go back here.
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Tags in the toilet, chavs in the lounge, what happened to coombeside?
anonymous - 28 Oct 2006 09:39 |
Such a shame that the last remaining good pub in New Malden (excepting Woodies) has gone so far down hill. Once Sean left, everything fell apart. Bar staff have never done pub work before, so the idiot who employed them is to blame. Standard of beers has gone down too.
All any pub needs is a good landlord or landlady - is that too much to ask???
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Grasscutter is absolutely spot on. Its turning into a joke. The service is hopeless with only two of the staff who seem able to smile, while the rest just grumble quietly in Polish. I asked for a gin and bitter lemon and got a gin WITH A BIT OF LEMON!
Bring back Sean!!
The landladies attitude is appalling (when she is there) and I overheard her telling a customer that 'she didn't care' what they thought!!!!!
Such a shame.It used to be a pleasure going to the Oak.
Finally, maybe someone should tell the managment that fag butts and crisp wrappers don't pick themselves up from the garden!
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Has gone down the pan faster than a lead plated turd since Sean left. Food gone from Great to Grating, Landlady U/S Barstaff also Ale rank. Apart from that fine.
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Probably the best pub in new malden, which when you compare the competition, isn't saying much. The bar staff are quicker and friendlier than in their rivals, and at least they make an effort every now and again by getting in local bands. Not a bad beer garden either. The beers are generally ok and certainly cheaper than Bar Malden. I've not seen too many punch ups here so i guess the landlord runs it well. The back room has a dodgy door that people never seem to remember to close when they go out, so it gets cold. Also you do get a lot of local chav's in here showing off their mobiles but to compensate they do show football games as well. On sundays the local god squad are there but they mind their own business.
All in all, not a bad boozer....but the bogs look like something from the 19th century.
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The second best pub in New Malden.
What an accolade!
It is more of a traditional "booozer" than most pubs are these day, but none the worse for that, as I have always found it to be a clean and well kept boozer with a friendly atmosphere.
My husband enjoys "real beer" and I always judge a place by the loo. The Oak gets a big red tick on both counts.
Its biggest asset IMO is the lovely function room upstairs, fantastic for parties. The panelling and the fireplaces are very grand.
It is always nice to be able to sit outside too during the warmer months.
I cannot comment on the staff because I am not here often enough to have formed a consistent impression. The service has never been either stunningly good OR shockingly bad, the same as most establishments I expect.
I never recognise anyone except for the blonde landlady, but perhaps I am just bad with faces!
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lovely looking pub with interesting toilets. nice place to drink in the summer with its garden. only downside is high percentage of suspicious looking drunks at bar who eye up your daughter whilst angrily suspecting you are homosexual.
anonymous - 27 Mar 2006 19:14 |
A local pub, for local people.....with their dogs too, which is a plus. Just wish the fag smoke extraction apparatus had been unwrapped when the pub was built. You leave with your clothes almost smouldering from the stink. Beer tends to be alright, providing you pre-order your pints about 3 weeks in advance.... almost a rule: you'll never get served 'ere tonight matey.
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Bar staff not great, even at 3 in the afternoon, but the decor more than makes up for it. Lovely booths and wooden panelling and all that sort of stuff. Even old school tiled urinals.
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Huge and architecturally interesting pub with real ales available, and an upstairs room for functions, for example folk music. Bar staff gorgeous and not at all unwilling to serve customers.
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Erm no no no we are not combat 18 esque we are in fact the 213 peace unit.
Alls im gonna say is come on holiday with us and we'll show you a good time because you obviously spend far too much time with your granny knitting mittens.
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The best pub in the 'High Street' area by far. Beer is well kept and food is excellent. Landlord a good chap and has Premiership and International matches in a comfy, welcoming upstairs room on the big screen.
Definitely recommend the Guinness!
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It's boiling hot in The Oak (the temperature is probably controlled by the Landlord as an incentive for any females to remove some of their clothes)and very smoky. There's a competition that runs every evening, all evening, oh and lunchtime's which is: see if you can attract one of the bar staff's attention and get served. If the Guvnor is serving behind the bar and you are female, you will win. If you are male be prepared for an engaging scowl and possibly a yawn whilst being completely ignored by the female bar staff.
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When did i slate the local competion? the oak is the best pub and thats that! Fool!
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I wonder in Paddy86 is perhaps related to the landlord? Or he works in this pub? Or he is a member of the Combat 18-esque fraternity '213 Unit'? Or what his vested interest is in plugging this place and slating all the local competiton....
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I popped into this pub the other day for the first time, and i was very pleased with the service.
The staff were all very attractive, except one hairy Jordie with a goatie. The food was ledgendary with beer to match. There was a load group of lads in the courner who seem to call themsleves the 213 Unit, they seemed to enjoy themselves. Finally The Oak is by far the best pub ive ever been in and i would recomend you go there now and have a beer, (recomendation - Extra Cold)
P.S Large screen in public bar great for watching The Vault on and Newcastle UTD losing all there games
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nice friendly atmosphere and staff disagree with the comments about the temp staff they are very friendly and i always get served pretty quick friendly owners very welcoming, cheap good food and cheap lagers
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nice, friendly atmosphere, can usually get a seat, beer reasonable in price and quality, yep, it's worth the walk past bloody bar malden and the railway!
Jane - 17 Aug 2004 11:21 |
The staffing here is a problem, with many of the temporary bar staff skilled in the art of looking at their shoes or the TV or each other or at the middle distance or at anywhere except the desperate, tenner-waving customer about to die from dehydration.
But if you do manage to get served, make a point of checking out the garden. It is enormous. It has its own macro climate. You can go from a temperate region by the pub's back door and be in an alpine climate before you reach its furthest point. Midway, you will be able to clearly discern the curvature of the earth. And yet the truly amazing thing is, the ground itself can only occasionally be glimpsed, as almost every square metre is occupied by picnic tables. There are countless thousands of them. It is as if the owners of the Royal Oak are expecting some kind of imminent pilgimage, a ten million-strong Haj of the faithful, all descending on New Malden and eager for a refreshing drink and somewhere to sit.
They say Eric Clapton used to practice in one of the upstairs rooms.
OK, just a quick half - 23 Feb 2004 15:01 |
Second-best pub in New Malden after Woodies. Gets a bit too smoky, mind.
James - 17 Feb 2004 16:27 |
The best pub in New Malden by far. I used to go there for Sunday lunch all the time as it was superb however the last couple of times I went it was crap. Gets full of christians as it's opposite the church but it's a good old traditional style pub.
stamina Josh - 4 Feb 2004 17:19 |
Great pub, Nice beer garden in the summer, relaxed pleasant atmosphere, great staff, perfect for a quiet one of an evening.
Paul - 6 Jan 2004 19:29 |
Tuesday nights pub quiz is a good laugh. It's got quite a relaxed environment and the pub garden is really great. The food is always good. Although the temp staff change, Lucy and Shawn are always there and are very friendly and helpful. Got some good deals on beer and nosh at the moment. I highly recommend this pub unless you are just looking for a place to get smashed (in which case please go elsewhere).
Gordon - 7 Oct 2003 13:50 |
Great pub with a nice garden - especially for kids. Staff turnover seems high though. Never see the same face behind the bar twice.
John Yardley - 17 Apr 2003 13:22 |
absolutely fantastic on xmas eve and tuesday night quiz nights
Karen - 29 Dec 2002 17:26 |
rubbish service, more chance of millwall winnning the UEFA cup than getting served in this pub. Bar staff always look miserable, head to the fountain, better crack and better lager on tap.
Damo - 28 Dec 2002 13:54 |
