Royal Oak, Nailseaback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
A good sized, town centre pub from the John Barras chain, this has recently been closed for a couple of weeks to undergo a refurbishment, perhaps in anticipation of the competition from the forthcoming Wetherspoon�s around the corner.
The layout is unchanged, but it�s clearly had some redecoration and new furniture, which is no bad thing as it was previously looking a little tired. The new colour scheme is the usual cream with light brown woodwork although there was also some maroon painted brickwork. There is now laminate flooring as you go in, and off to the left is a small bar area where the seating that was here has been replaced with a pool table and darts board. A plasma was stuck on the wall, although not in use on a recent visit. The rest of the pub consists of a large open area in the middle with a flagstone floor and a larger, raised and carpeted area off to the right with a mixture of bench seating and chairs. A couple of chimney breasts at each end contained a decorative electric fire. A few black and white pictures of old Nailsea completed the decorations, along with a picture of the Wurzels behind the bar commemorating the fact that their debut album was recorded in the pub back in the 60�s.
The menu was very much of the mass produced, sizzling variety consisting of numerous burgers and steaks along with lasagne, Sausage & Mash, Fish & Chips, All Day Breakfast, etc. Most of the mains were around the �5 mark, although I didn�t sample anything so can�t comment on the quality. There were also various Grill nights, Curry nights, etc. They�re clearly trying to put things on to attract punters in, with an A-board outside advertising karaoke and other music events, and a further board inside listing forthcoming attractions. For the warmer weather, the pub has a very extensive beer garden and a useful serving hatch directly in to the bar.
Beers on tap were Old Golden Hen, Butcombe and Bombardier. Ciders were Blackthorn and Strongbow.
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gk ipa , doom doom doom bar , and an unexpected jewel Theakstons old peculiar the latter of which was in outstanding condition , bravo. A largish pub which was the long standing favourite choice of many to be a weatherspoons in nailsea , now which appears to be the glasshouse , found out never likely to fulfill this prophecy as listed building? good pub , originally home for the wurzels , can just about remember it as a bar and lounge and front ?. In current condition just one large room with pool table.
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Good to see the pub actively promoting National Cask Ales week, with flags all round the bar.
To back this up, in addition to the usual Courage offerings they also had Spitfire (although this had sold out) and Hobgoblin.
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Decent sized High street pub having all the stereotypical things you might expect in a pub - A dart board, a quiz machine, a juke box, a couple of fruit machines. No chance of getting bored here!
There's also a couple of plasma's stuck on the wall, at least one of which is generally showing sport.
There's a large garden about the back which is pleasant in the summer, and a hatch so you can get served without going back in to the pub. Very useful.
Beer range was disapointing with just Courage Directors and Best, the latter of which was very warm and tasted rather off. Also Blackthorn cider.
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Had a nice pint of directors in here , courage best as far as courage best goes fine . food cheap and cheerful , largish pub , nice garden at the back .
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This should be one of the most famous pubs in the West Country � it is, after all, the home of the Wurzels, and the venue where their early hits were recorded. It also has a fascinating history, and is one of the most important buildings in the town, with a role in the industrial relations of the area�s former coal and glass industries. However, despite being a pleasant enough place during the day, it takes a turn for the worst at the weekends, when the town�s dispossessed youth converge on mass. Great beer garden is redeeming feature.
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