Pubs and Bars / A-Z Bristol pub crawl
A-Z Bristol pub crawl: The Royal Oak, Ashley Down
The sign on the wall at the entrance reads “memories are made here” in a cursive font. Surrounded by the seemingly endless sea of chicken shops and off licences that line Gloucester Road, this came as somewhat of a surprise.
The fact that the Royal Oak is located about a 30 second walk from my front door is definitely a bonus, but only if you’re me or anyone else who lives in the area, so take that for whatever you will.
I went with two fellow drinking partners. For them, a Moretti each. For me, a Tribute. £14.50, or thereabouts. Not too shoddy for a post-work watering hole.
is needed now More than ever
Inside, the theme of inspirational quotes continued. Proverbs on happiness, coffee and quotes from Frank Sinatra were written on the walls in a handwriting that, whilst stylised, became very difficult to read after the first couple of words.
Quotes lined the walls throughout the interior
We found a seat outside in what could be one of the more surprising beer gardens in Bristol. Due to its location (Gloucester Road out front, Ashley Down Road behind), you’d think there would be barely room for a paving slab out back, with maybe a stool or two for punters.
The beer garden was surprisingly large
What we actually found was a veritable sprawling metropolis of tables and benches of various colours and lengths, with fairy lights donning the covered patio area both by the entrance to the inside and a secondary covered area further down.
There was even a children’s play area fully equipped with a playhouse and one of those polyester play tunnels which, at the time, was being beaten to a pulp by a four year old wielding two brightly coloured bowling skittles.
The children’s play area was well equipped for children of all ages and interests
The darts were playing on a big television screen by the back door, and there was a man with a bright pink, perfectly shaped mohawk taking his turn, staring me down as I placed my order for food and drink.
I got the “smoky joe” burger, and my pals got the “smothered chicken” and “Louisiana chick’n” (vegetarian) burgers. The scores on the doors were 7, 7, and 7.5 respectively.
As time ticked on and the air began to cool, we ventured closer to the indoors. Finding a rare empty table with overhead heaters, we played cards for an hour or so to the soundtrack of a man in the far corner singing heartfelt American folk music, a small crowd of stragglers from after work drinks surrounding him, celebrating the start of the bank holiday.
The sign on the wall at the entrance reads “memories are made here” in a cursive font.
The Royal Oak, 385 Gloucester Road, BS7 8TN
0117 332 7657
All Photos: Miles Arnold
Read more: A-Z Bristol Pub Crawl: The Queens, Chew Magna
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