The Royal Oak
The Royal Oak
4
3:00 PM - 2:00 AM
Monday
3:00 PM - 2:00 AM
Tuesday
3:00 PM - 2:00 AM
Wednesday
3:00 PM - 2:00 AM
Thursday
3:00 PM - 2:00 AM
Friday
3:00 PM - 2:00 AM
Saturday
3:00 PM - 2:00 AM
Sunday
3:00 PM - 2:00 AM
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Old Town
Few Edinburghers live in the Old Town, but its labyrinth of dank alleys and steep streets suggests this was not always the case. Today, it’s mostly visitors, tartan-flavored souvenir shops, and pipers that you’ll find on its cobbled streets. This is the place to get a feel for Auld Reekie (Old Smelly), as the town was once nicknamed, and stroll the Royal Mile, the thoroughfare that links the castle with the royal palace – two of Edinburgh’s great set-piece attractions. But there’s lots more exploring to do here down dozens of little alleys, or wynds, while at night the city’s busiest clubs erupt along the Cowgate which is closed to traffic for this purpose.
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Best nearby
Restaurants
2,241 within 3 miles
Attractions
576 within 6 miles
See what travelers are saying
- 1SlandGirl66Barrow-in-Furness, United Kingdom38 contributionsThe best live music venueWent here for live music and weren’t disappointed. Great drink menu (red wine was excellent) the live bands and singers were amazing. A lovely atmosphere with everyone being quiet for the singers, which is a rarity now. Loved this and made our weekend. Thank youVisited February 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten February 2, 2024
- MrsMColemanChelmsford, United Kingdom27 contributionsA proper Scottish pub! :o)We stumbled across this lovely intimate Scottish pub on our first night and what a gem. The bar staff were friendly and chatty. The live music is amazing. People can play their instruments, sing and join in with the pros. We loved it so much we went back to enjoy our last night. Thank you for having us!Visited March 2024Traveled with friendsWritten March 21, 2024
- meshaLeicester, Massachusetts6 contributionsLocal folk pub musicSmall pub that is filled with good people, music, song, and refreshments. It is a hiden gem that is just what i was looking for! I only found it because a singer from another pub told me about it. I had the best time! The music was of a jam, local musicians, singing folk songs and mordern, without electronics. And when a song moved and the whole pub sang, it was magic. So much wonderful local talent!Visited March 2024Traveled with friendsWritten March 30, 2024
- RPG625Los Angeles, California668 contributionsNot to be missed!A great little hole in the wall bar in Edinburgh. Great whiskey and beer selection, very helpful bar tender and outstanding music. Be prepared to stand in a corner clutching your drink while you experience a genuine Edinburgh pub experience. Musicians, who are extremely talented and friendly, are joined by other locals to pick up their instruments and perform at will. One of the best and most authentic pub/music experiences we have had. Do not miss this gem of a placeVisited April 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten April 8, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
245 reviews
Excellent
119
Very good
65
Average
19
Poor
10
Terrible
32
MacDuff
2 contributions
Mar 2020
Very rude bar staff who dislike non-locals, awful decor, unfriendly atmosphere.
Definitely wouldn't recommend to anyone who is visiting Edinburgh - there are many better pubs across the city. They rely on people wandering in for the live music, but you're much better off going to Sandy Bell's or Captain's Bar (better music, much nicer pubs).
Definitely wouldn't recommend to anyone who is visiting Edinburgh - there are many better pubs across the city. They rely on people wandering in for the live music, but you're much better off going to Sandy Bell's or Captain's Bar (better music, much nicer pubs).
Written March 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GaD
2 contributions
Feb 2020
We are regulars at the place when in town. We normally love the place. On Friday we decided to visit downstairs and asked my brother to get two drinks as I went to the toilet. On my return, my brother told me that the barman would not serve him. It seems the bar man thought that he had had enough to drink. I asked for two drinks and he and the bar man also refused me. It seems it was due to him telling me "I've already told your friend I'm not serving him". In the meantime, a glass smashed on the floor where the singers were singing. This member staff did not bother cleaning up the mess. He left it to a customer to collect the broken glass on the floor nor dry up the floor. Later he simply collected empty glasses while walking over broken glass. My brother over 28 hour later still has hicups and is ill. Nothing at all to do with drink!
Written February 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RPG625
Los Angeles, CA668 contributions
Apr 2024 • Couples
A great little hole in the wall bar in Edinburgh. Great whiskey and beer selection, very helpful bar tender and outstanding music. Be prepared to stand in a corner clutching your drink while you experience a genuine Edinburgh pub experience. Musicians, who are extremely talented and friendly, are joined by other locals to pick up their instruments and perform at will. One of the best and most authentic pub/music experiences we have had. Do not miss this gem of a place
Written April 8, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mesha
Leicester, MA6 contributions
Mar 2024 • Friends
Small pub that is filled with good people, music, song, and refreshments. It is a hiden gem that is just what i was looking for! I only found it because a singer from another pub told me about it. I had the best time! The music was of a jam, local musicians, singing folk songs and mordern, without electronics. And when a song moved and the whole pub sang, it was magic. So much wonderful local talent!
Written March 30, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1SlandGirl66
Barrow-in-Furness, UK38 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
Went here for live music and weren’t disappointed. Great drink menu (red wine was excellent) the live bands and singers were amazing. A lovely atmosphere with everyone being quiet for the singers, which is a rarity now. Loved this and made our weekend. Thank you
Written February 2, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lea79186525
Edinburgh, UK10 contributions
May 2013 • Friends
In this extremely small pub you find yourself having to stand very close to other people.Hardly any seating. I was targeted by a two man team of pickpockets who pretended not to know each other. one of them sat in front of me and immediately started a conversation about what i do for living and where i was staying in edinburgh. He then went to the bar and on the way back he stood behind the accomplice saying nothing he touched the other mans body in all the places i had valuabels eg righ trouser pocket and under his left arm this is the loction of my wallet and and pound coin purse. The other man said nothing but did nod to him as he passed. If i hadn't seen these techniques on tv i wouldn't have had a clue. The barman is hostile and treats the customers with contempt. And finally i told the man i was unemployed and sleeping on a friends sofa and i had to go because i had spent all my money. He then said he going to the toilet as he got up he looked his accomplice in face a made a sweeping gesture with both hands the the other man nodded and walked away. I hope this is of use to my fellow traveller's and thanks for reading this far.
Written June 13, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Liannmcg
Edinburgh, UK2 contributions
Dec 2013
Went to this bar with a friend after a meal as was told it had live music.
Was completely appalled when one of the 'locals' to the bar threatened myself and my friend (by the way we are both girls, he was a man) because we had sang along to their song.
After this a group of boys who had gone in before us asked if they could play a song and these 'locals' again threatened them and refused to clap after they had finished their song.
We where then asked to leave along with these boys by the staff off the bar. This member of staff then explained to us basically it was the same guys who played every night and they don't like new comers.
Hostile, threatening and uncomfortable environment. Don't bother! As a women I have never felt threatened or scared of a man till this night. To then be told I basically deserved it has actually left me pretty shaken up.
Was completely appalled when one of the 'locals' to the bar threatened myself and my friend (by the way we are both girls, he was a man) because we had sang along to their song.
After this a group of boys who had gone in before us asked if they could play a song and these 'locals' again threatened them and refused to clap after they had finished their song.
We where then asked to leave along with these boys by the staff off the bar. This member of staff then explained to us basically it was the same guys who played every night and they don't like new comers.
Hostile, threatening and uncomfortable environment. Don't bother! As a women I have never felt threatened or scared of a man till this night. To then be told I basically deserved it has actually left me pretty shaken up.
Written December 3, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kelly_lfc07
Liverpool, UK101 contributions
Dec 2015 • Friends
Worst customer service I've come across in a long long time. Dreadful, ill mannered, rude, staff that would be better suited to running a circus. If you want to roll with the deadbeats then this is the place to be!
Written December 7, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bay reviews
18 contributions
Feb 2017 • Couples
We visited The Royal Oak after hearing it's a good place for Folk music and despite reading previous reviews of rude staff and equally rude locals we assumed people were being slightly dramatic. I'm afraid they were correct and we left bewildered and a little angry. We were served at the bar by an extremely arrogant and miserable bar lad who seemed to begrudge us being there, the beer was fine but already we had a feeling of being completely unwelcome. We perched up in the bar anyway letting the service slide and to be fair the music was very decent and the artists seemed to be the only people in the bar who didn't seem to be under some weird pretence. I popped down stairs where the toilets and a second bar was to have a look and without explanation I got rudely waved away from the nearly empty lounge bar without explanation. Once I returned up stairs my partner indicated she'd like to leave. We go to many many bars and pubs from all walks of like but this was the only bar that she felt genuinely threatened in and completely unwelcome. We were hoping for a warm and friendly folk bar instead we received an odd hostile atmosphere full of arrogant and entitled punters who are living off mum and dads money whilst in Edinburgh as a student. The management need to really rethink the staff they hire here as it's such a missed opportunity. Unsurprisingly, we won't be back. However don't let this place reflect the rest of Edinburgh which is an extremely warm and friendly city.
Written February 22, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ginger2108
Falkirk, UK6 contributions
Jan 2013 • Friends
My husband was refused service by the barman who said that he had enough to drink. This has never happened to him in his life before. We had been in the pub enjoying the music and banter with friends from about 10.pm and for this to happen was a total embarrassment. However according to several people in the bar at that time and since, it seems it's a regular occurrence at this establishment. I understand that bar staff do have the right to refuse if people are causing bother, however my husband has never been out of order in a pub in his life.
A good day spoiled, and not good publicity for Edinburgh. Disappointed
A good day spoiled, and not good publicity for Edinburgh. Disappointed
Written January 27, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What time does the live music start? Is it in the evening or is it late night?
Written July 18, 2023
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