The Royal Oak, Borough  

OMG this is so much a 5 pint pub! Plain outside and a bit of a time warp feeling inside, but as soon as you taste that beer.. Every one of the Harveys beers we tried were in perfect condition, The Best, Pale ale and Armada were especially good. The best ale I have tasted in London in 5 years+. It was fairly quiet when We arrived around 6:30 when central London pubs would be crowded. Ideal as we could order food with no wait. We saw a decent sized menu on the wall- hang on this is just the specials there is another regular menu in addition. Food was excellent, a real home cooked taste and good size portions, no hint of freezer-to-microwave food typical of many pubs it was the real thing. The place really filled up around 8pm but never seemed noisy. Maybe that was just the anesthetic affect of that georgeous beer

It's a cracking pub. Great Harvey's ales, and old skool pub food (and portions), all in a handsome-looking boozer. One of the best.

I think it is a pity that the comment here revolves around a single incident, albeit a serious one. Let me offer a rounder view. The Royal Oak is a very old fashioned pub, but a really good one. The furniture and fittings are very ordinary, no comfy sofas here, but the beer is excellent and it is usually served by someone who knows and actually cares about it. The food is wholesome rather than gastro, but it certainly lines the stomach if you are in the pub for a session. In summary, the Royal Oak won't deliver you a knockout party experience, but it does offer you the chance to drink a variety of great beers, in the company of like minded souls.

To John Clement I did not even get a chance to complain, let alone become aggressive, as both my wife and I were so stunned and shocked at the unprovoked outburst and repeated usage by the co-licensee of the "f" word that we departed from the premises to formally take up our complaint in writing elsewhere. I sincerely hope that you never have to experience such disgraceful behaviour from any licensee and I also hope that for the sake of everyone who ventures across the threshold of The Royal Oak that I do prove to be in a minority of one.

Well what can I say, I have always found this to be an exceptionally friendly pub. I know the person who you are referring to and I can say that he is usually pleasant, friendly, courteous and helpful to customers, which is why in my opinion this is one of Londons best pubs. It may be that your complaint was delivered in an aggressive manner, which caused some offense. I think you will find yourself in a minority of 1 in complaining about staff attitudes in this establishment.