The Royal Oak, Borough  

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.

Oh Dear! What in Harvey’s name has happened to this pub? Has it changed hands? It has always been a pleasure to visit this pub and receive a warm welcome from the hospitable landlord, Frank, and swap the occasional story and beer with him. However shock and horror upon my return here with my wife yesterday (Sunday afternoon at 5pm) for another anticipated pleasurable visit only to be confronted by a surly foul-mouthed man across the bar professing to be the Licensee and repeatedly shouting at us to “f….off, and get out” whilst I was trying to politely explain to the barmaid that the bottom of a glass retains the heat for quite a while after the glass has come out of the glasswasher. My explanation was regrettably necessary as the barmaid (whom I had never seen in here before) had accidentally served me a pint of draught mild in a hot glass despite my request when ordering for her to please make sure that the bottom of the glass was cold – a request which the barmaid unfortunately did not appear to understand. Apparent attempts by the other barman to calm down “the Licensee” were to no avail and my wife and I accordingly departed amid further tirades of “f….off and get out” from the professed “Licensee” who refused to supply his name or cease swearing. A most unpleasant experience for my wife and I tinged with sadness at the rapid decline in the standard of service at this hitherto much-loved pub.