The Royal oak, Edinburgh

On a short tour of Scotland I dropped into the Royal Oak on the recommendation of the tourist guide. I have to say I was somewhat disappointed. The bearded folky was in his corner with the mandatory girly fiddler along with a passable Geordie guitarist who looked bored out of his skull or simply mortified by it all. The worst was yet to come as all the musicians left on the the appearance of a clumsy Yorkshire? mandolin player who played tastelessly and sang tuneless interminable rubbish. After what seemed to be an eternity, the musicians returned, but I left after the worst version of 'All along the watch Tower' I have ever heard that was simply blitzed by the appalling mandolin. Incidentally I was a session musician, in the folk genre, for a number of years.

Don't know what the all fuss is about - pretty crap boozer. Overpirce, mediocre musicians and annoying bar staff with their faux 'craic'.

Happened to be invited to the Royal Oak Pub by a young man who lives in the community, got to know Martin and the crowd that evening was full into the tradional music as well as the classic 60, and 70's music which the audience enjoyed singing Danny also brought in his pipes and did some playing for us, the pub is small but the atmosphere was great. One of the best parts of our trip in April 09, the Canadian girls was what Martin called me and my daughter.

Just back from Edinburgh. A busker on the Royal Mile recommended the place and off we went. Absolutely loved it.. especially more so as I picked up the guitar and spent a few hours playing songs with Martin (guy pictured above) and a couple of others on the Saturday night and same again on the Sunday.
Apologies to the locals about any songs I played that deviated away from the traditional stuff.... I did a mix of folk, 60's thru to present day... seem to go down really well at the time th but wasnt striclty speaking "folk". Thanks to everyone there for the great hospitality (Martin thanks for lending me the guitar)

Best Place in Scotland for traditional, non-touristy, authentic music! Friendly locals, and Guinness :D

The Royal Oak is a pub that specialises in folk music, and if that's your thing (or even if it isn't) then you will probably love this pub.

There is also a rather good independently released CD available of seminal performances from the Royal Oak, so if you're interested, check it out.

Great atmosphere, great music, great pub.

From what I gather, the Royal Oak is a bit of an institution. This traditional ‘old man’ pub is small but its reputation for good folk music is big. I ended up here in the wee hours on Saturday night and the place was absolutely heaving (we were physically wedged in at one point) so we didn’t stay very long. I’ll definitely be back though, I’ll try and catch some tunes on a much quieter mid-week evening.

This is a samll bar but what it loses out on size it makes up for with its cool features and frienldy staff.
It is Scottish-themed with scottish folk music played live there with even royal oak folk music cds available to buy at the bar.
There is a coal fire so you can really enjoy getting a heat from it if you are going into this pub from the cold.
They have scottish themed pictures hanging on the walls with historical battle scenes which the scots fought at there is even a copy of part of the declaration of abroath hanging up.
They sell malts and ales.
There are scampi fries to buy at the bar.

I agree with what fommil said in that most certainly
i also would not recommend this bar to any tourist
yet for some unknown reason some tourists seem to be put on to the royal oak from some Hotels/guesthouses maybe yrs back it was ok as i heard but nowadays it's new owners whom really have not got the style to run a pub also unfriendly
owners

As for the guitarists well not the cleanest of people
can do with a gd wash my wife said
if your a drunk and not to clean then this pub would suit you
myself and wife left after 1 drink in which my pint was dead as soon as was put down to me
dont think they clean the pumps much at all
we certainly wont go back.

I wouldnt give this any star at all but have here to give it the 1 star certainly not recommended

My favorite Edinburgh pub, no doubt. Regular visitor many years ago and returned to the city last year for a short while, but it’s still the same old pub with fantastic music.

An Edinburgh Institution.

I first popped in here about 12 years ago to meet my (dearly departed) uncle, who lived around the corner.

It hasnt changed much since then. Still able to chat upstairs with locals and tourists alike before heading downstairs for more chat, music, ale.

Many relaxing fun nights have been had in the R.O.

Iain

Thursday night is blues night downstairs in the Oak. A great country blues session, often as many as 10 great musicians playing.

Another haunt for Edinburgh Folkies. Great Music Sessions held on various nights, my personal favourite is the Sunday afternoon session that is normally hosted by amazing musicians such as Sarah McFayden, Sandy Wright, Kris Drever or some other great musician residing in the city.

Great little room down stairs that is used for the Wee folk Club who host regular folk gigs on Sunday nights. It is also used for sessions and on busier nights. It is the guaranteed late night drink in that part of town.

Decent range of beers, spirits and plenty of character’s to keep you amused while you enjoy your pint.

This pub i strolled in several wks ago + i said id go back, which i did just on Sat past + i liked it sooo much i stayed + went downstairs + left pub at 3am for late bus home fae Wav Brig, i met peep’s fae Chile, Africa, London, Manchester, Belfast, Donnegal, enjoyed it so much that im going back this Sat, the live music upstairs is gd also the beer is gd, the atmosphere is gd also, you wont find a better pub in Edinburgh or elsewhere, i travel over fae Fife to go here as also im just Learning Guitar at Present + once im better with it, i look forward to trying my songs out in here sometime, should have learnt Guitar yrs back, anyhow upstairs the bar is small + gets very busy at times certainly was Sat nite past, just a gd atmosphere + music + song just cant beat that, but beer was pricey at £2.60p a pint compared to what im used to in the mining communities back home, but all in all if in Edinburgh well worth a visit.

Wow, what an amazing experience. You just don’t get pubs like this in London so you can imagine how us tourists from the big smoke felt walking into what is essentially the smallest folk club in the world.

Andrew (ahunter) has already described the place pretty well so I’m not going to go on about it, but I should say that the intimacy of the place is extraordinary and listening to these musicians and singers belt out incredible song after incredible song is a genuine treat.

The beer is cheap, the whisky is good, and the food is home made. Seriously what more do you want from a pub?

I have only been to 5 or 6 pubs in Edinburgh, but as a visitor, this is by far my favourite of them all. I wasn’t too sure what to expect when i walk through the front door of the Royal Oak. The upstairs area is quite small and some of the reviewers below are right, it does have a certain “old man pub” quality. But go downstairs and you’ll find yourself in a fantastic lair of fiddles, guitars, beer swilling stories and deep belly laughter. This is a proper pub. Plenty of Deuchar’s on tap and very friendly people working behind the bar and scattered around the tables in this cosy, folk den.

The music in here is brilliant and everyone in the pub is welcome to contribute if they want (but there is no pressure). A portly, bearded fellow leads the revellers with traditional Scottish songs mixed with some classics that everyone can see along to. Songs are interspersed with stories from this chap (forgotten his name!) and if you can pick up 30-40% of what he is saying, you’re a better man than me. “This woone is aboot eh wee lad wit a bit of a limp, annee pocket fool eh shortcake, yeh see. Hope yoos enjoy’it n’ mines a glenfiddick if yoo’r askin’ pal”. It may not have been that bad, but you have to listen pretty carefully to get the message! The music was still going on when we left at about 1.30am, so i’m assuming that the people of Edinburgh have decided that pubs shutting at 11pm is a bad idea and that if you’ve got a full pint and a guitar, you pretty much control what time the lights are turned out. Perfect.

A brilliant folk pub. Upstairs is quite small - often good folk session there if you can get a seat or don’t mind standing. In the downstairs bar there is great music, too, and you’re more likely to sit down.

The Royal Oak is one of Edinburgh’s foremost folky pubs. Nearly every night you will experience some kind of musical mayhem, whether it be a fiddle session or solo singer pounding out some old favourites with a battered yet trusty guitar. Great ales are also on offer, along with a downstairs bar with comfy couches and an often more subdued and respectful concert environment, often showcasing some of Edinburgh’s freshest music talent. This pub is also home to the Wee Folk Club, the little brother of the Edinburgh Folk Club. A good night out is always guaranteed at the Royal Oak.

A tiny little pub at the top of Infirmary Street with a good range of malts,and beers for most palates.The IPA and guest ales are well kept,and they do a very refreshing 60/-.Traditional Scottish/Folk music every evening,and Calum on guitar on Saturday afternoons.Try May's homemade stovies or soup! Great cross-section of customers,regulars and visitors.

This small, rather quaint, atmospheric pub is home to the well known “Wee Folk Club” held every Sunday from 8:30pm. Acting as one of Edinburgh’s top notch live folk and blues venues, The Royal Oak attracts a diverse and interesting crowd for it’s quality music and good banter accompanied by a decent pint. Known to play host to traditional music playing musicians who regularly stroll in after playing gigs elsewhere in the city, there’s never a dull moment to be had. And with it being located just a short walk from the Royal Mile it’s surely worth checking out for the random music sessions. Feel free to pull up a pew and belt out a tune on the old piano in the upstairs bar!