01/05/09

Fun. Loud. Young.

by hrhdi

I have mixed feelings about Royal Oak. The clientele is made up of questionable ?21? year olds, but then again I once appeared to be underage (and once was underage) and I needed a place to let it all out, so I can?t really begrudge the youngsters this spot. I do feel slightly resentful though that those of us who were born before Reagan - or at least in his first term - haven?t made a stand and clamed this spot as our own. I have been on nights when there is a better age mix, but maybe I have bad luck because those times seem few and far in between. Regardless, I love a good dance party and will seek out this spot when I need a quick fix. It?s fun. It?s loud. It?s close to home.

• Pros: Dancing, Drinking.

12/31/07

Great Place....even if your not a hipster.

by ajunet3

Sorry we are not in Long Island and you are not going to find girls with fake nails, boys with "blowouts", and Usher remixes here ! UMMM it is in Williamsburg so yes, there will be hipsters but not everyone. It has great music and nice bartenders. This place is great. I'm 24 and I have never felt there were junior high school student's there. People need to calm down, enjoy a beer, and dance their a$$ off!

• Pros: Fun, Close by, beer specials, great dance music...
• Cons: Haters...HA

08/19/07

Dark and stormy

by hrailing

When you roll by Royal Oak after midnight be ready for the backroom dance party. On weekend nights you'll find no shortage of dark-haired beauties in bad need of a dance partner. The best course of actions is to dance a few quick numbers with her then suggest a sejourn to a darkened booth for some drug-sharing or below-the-waist adventuring.

• Pros: girls wearing tight pants and boys wearing tight pants and I live only a few blocks away
• Cons: the lost and found would be better named "lost and never found" but I bought a new handball glove last week so they can have it

04/21/07

Cool, chill environment -- when the crowd's not there

by steorra

The only thing negative I have to say about Royal Oak is that the crowd annoys the hell out of me. At times the bar is swamped and there isn't any room to stand OR sit. That being said, Royal Oak is a really cool place to go (during off-peak hours) to grab a beer and B.S. in a dark, cozy, comfortable environment. They also have a pool table, and although I've never touched it, the Blackberry Bramble is highly recommended.

• Pros: Awesome interior, good beer, friendly barstaff.
• Cons: Hate the crowd.

11/13/06

Has grown up with the neighborhood

by mypleasure

After a recent visit, I'd like to take back what I said in an earlier review from a couple years ago.

The crowd is still on the young side, but there is much more of a mix these days. Anyone will feel comfortable here. People are kinda pushy and drunk, but I kind of like that.

Drink in 1930s style at this comfortable Williamsburg bar.

by Contributor

A discreet entrance masks the casual bar's spacious interior. Dimly-lit brass fixtures, red textured wallpaper and wood paneling give Royal Oak the feel of a 1930s speakeasy. Red leather booths and intimate tables are spread throughout the bar's three rooms, while a foosball table in the middle room gets serious use every night. While weeknights offer a laid-back drinking environment, the weekends are a debaucherous meet market filled with local singles and visitors looking to seriously let loose.

12/10/05

trying too hard

by dancendrink

i don't mean that about the bar, just the clientele. royal oak would be a great neighborhood spot if it didn't seem like they handed out fliers to every nyu-student, scene-ster wanna-be. not only do the patrons look and act under-age, but it's like you shouldn't bother going in unless you're wearing the (dare i use the "H" word) uniform. i felt like i was back in junior high. if that's your thing, then this is the bar for you. they also ruin the great space by keeping it practically dark and turning the music up to levels that make it impossible to talk to anybody without shouting. if you want some place with people who are more interested in having a good time and a better selection of drinks than trying to make the scene, try nearby pete's candy store.

• Cons: really young crowd, boring, way too loud

08/02/05

Where Hip Is Born

by decknick80

I love this bar. The atmosphere is great and they play awesome music in the back rooms. A friend of mine said it looks like an old steakhouse, whatever that means. I'm just convinced there's a portal somewhere on the premises where hipsters are transported from their home planet. But I mean that in a totally, like, good way.

• Pros: Hip, Hip, Hip

03/18/05

All around exellence

by wenchywench

Great service, staff, booze and vibe. Awesome during the week when it's less crowded

12/03/03

Happy Clappy!

by cathybruneau

Lively place! Great atmosphere! Great to people watch! Love the Jackie O outfits. Full of ironics! Make the trip down.

• Pros: Full of energy, Stripey socks, Brit Work Pub Style
• Cons: Trucker hats ew!