What happens when there's power cut

The lights went out in the Royal Oak last night - not for good I hasten to add - but just for a few minutes.And what happens when the lights go out in a pub?

Yep, that's right. Those hugging the bar start talking rubbish!

And so it was last night when the conversation turned to music and then on to some of the more bizarre songs that had been written. Which in turn, when the power came back on, led us to research some of the more ridiculous song titles. You may know that Mine Host Carmen is very fond of country music ....

So these, by common consent, are up there with the best country songs ever written!

I Wouldn’t Take Her To a Dog Fight, Cause I’m Afraid She’d Win
She Feels Like A New Man Tonight
I’m The Only Hell Mama Ever Raised
Velcro Arms, Teflon Heart
You Changed Your Name From Brown to Jones,and Mine From Brown to Blue
The Last Word In Lonesome Is “Me”
Who’s Makin’ Time with the Time Keeper’s Daughter, when the Time Keeper’s Keepin’ Time?
You Stuck My Heart In a Old Tin Can and Shot It Off a Log
And There was Grandma, Swingin’ on the Outhouse Door,Without a Shirt On
How Can I Miss You When You Won’t Go Away?
I’d Rather Pass a Kidney Stone than Another Night With You
Why Do You Believe Me When I Tell You That I Love You When You Know I’ve Been A Liar All My Life?
She Got The Gold Mine and I Got The Shaft
Come Out of the Wheatfield Nelly, You’re Going Against the Grain
My Wife Ran Off With My Best Friend And I Sure Do Miss Him
I Changed Her Oil, She Changed My Life
Get Your Biscuits In The Oven And Your Buns In Bed
My John Deere Was Breaking Your Field While Your Dear John Was Breaking My Heart
Take Me To The Corn Field Honey And I’ll Kiss You Between The Ears
The Beer I Had For Breakfast Is Comin’ Back For Lunch
We Used to Just Kiss on the Lips But Now It’s All Over
You Were Only A Splinter As I Slid Down The Bannister

Let's hope the lights stay on tonight!

Talking of country though, don't forget those Bluegrass boys are back at the Oak tomorrow night - admission is free and the music gets under way at 9.

OK - lets see what you think

We're thinking about this £10.50 pie business. How much would you pay for a steak and kidney pie?

Let us know by registering your vote in our Pie Poll - see left for further details.!

What planet do these people live on???

The 2008 Good Pub Food Guide has just been published and, according to these so-called experts, the price of pub food has soared to an average £20 for a two-course lunch and glass of wine.


What?

They also go on to say that unless pubs rein in their prices, they risk losing customers. According to them, the price of a pub main meal, such as steak and kidney pie, costs on average £10.50.
Steak and kidney pie - would you pay more than a tenner?

Well we don't know what planet these people live on - but one thing we can guarantee you - it doesn't need to cost anywhere near that at the Royal Oak. Our current menu boasts a range of home cooked food for well under a tenner - including home made, Cottage Pie, home made Lasagne plus some great fish and meat dishes.


Why not try us out?


Christmas party bookings are now starting to come in - so don't forget to get your places booked asap. And don't forget too that its Bluegrass Night again this Thursday. The music begins around 9 pm.


See you then?

It's official - the best ideas happen in pubs!!

Life for us publicans can sometimes be tough - and we sometimes ask ourselves why we do it. And, of course, the reason we do it is ... you!

That's right - we love people! Even Pip loves people sometimes!

But what really makes a slow night turn special are the conversations that we are privy to from time to time - you customers just don't appreciate how inventive you become after a pint or two of our finest ales!

Now, a book has been published with a collection of some of the weird and wonderful revelations dreamt up by pub goers. For instance, how about a phone that locks to stop you texting your ex when you are drunk?

The book, Fuzzy Logic, is published by the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra), with the author also throwing the gauntlet down for the public to submit their own “eureka” moments to celebrate the launch of the book.

Some of the ideas in Fuzzy Logic include:

The Asbo phone lock - sick of the cringing embarrassment of waking up to remember that text to your ex at 3am? Not anymore with this alcohol sensitive mobile phone.

The cheese Easter egg - for those who prefer savoury to sweet, try this egg-shaped cheesy treat.

Telescopic heel stilettos - ladies, never fear that agonising walk home from the pub again, with these ingenious and (possibly) stylish collapsible high heels.

The human catflap - never get locked out in the cold again.

Other pub genius ideas include socks with GPS, a homing door key and the virtual shed!

If you've an idea, you can submit it to the author via http://www.pubideas.com/

But do tell us first!

Join us for a great Christmas Party Night

If you’re looking for somewhere special to celebrate this Christmas with colleagues why not join us at the Royal Oak, for our great Christmas Party Night on Wednesday December 19th?

The evening is perfect for small work parties or groups of friends or colleagues – with a minimum party size of just 4.

The Christmas Party Night includes:

Delicious 3 course menu with a choice of starter, main course and desert
Dancing to our live bandChristmas party goodies
Festive Table Quiz with Champagne to the winning party

All this for just £22.50 per person.

The Royal Oak, Rye Foreign has a growing reputation for fine food with all ingredients fresh, locally sourced and cooked to order - no boil in the bag food here!!

So why not book now to avoid disappointment?

Tables for the Christmas Party Night are limited, must be pre-booked and are available strictly on a first-come, first-served basis.

Demand is expected to be high – so you are advised to book now to make sure of your places.

You can phone your bookings through to us on 01797 230494.

Timings for the evening:

From 7.00 pm pre-dinner drinks
8.00 pm dinner served
9.45 pm dancing to our live band
12 midnight bar closes

Dress code: Smart

A limited number of rooms are also available for overnight stays – please ask for details.

Transport to and from your Party can also be arranged, subject to an additional charge and at least 14 days notice being given. If you would like a bigger party or would like an alternative date, then why not call us?

Well and truly Twanged!!

Well they came, they saw and they rocked! The long-awaited return visit of the Twang Dragons, from Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Friday night saw a huge crowd pack the Royal Oak to the rafters. The band have certainly built up a following over here and this, their second visit to the UK saw them meet up with many old friends they'd made from tour No. 1 - and we weren't disappointed.

The band played their unique mixture of rock 'n roll and country - "Twang Rock", according to lead singer Lisa Hanson - "with a bit of Americana mixed in." Included in the set was a mixture of self-penned songs as well as some cover songs by such artists as Johnny Cash and the Eagles - not to mention a memorable country version of Pinball Wizard which cleverly morphed into Folsom Prison Blues!

The Twangs played a mammoth near 3 hour set - so we reckon we were well and truly twanged!

We can't wait to see them back here again next year!

Next up at the Oak is another evening of Bluegrass this coming Thursday and then, on Friday (2nd November), its the return of the Open Mic Night, with resident compere Steve Stone. Why not join us? If you can sing, play an instrument, recite poetry - then we'd love to see you!

New Christmas Party menu launched

It's all go in Rye Foreign at the moment and we've a great week in prospect!

After a decent weekend - we were busy, despite the weather - we're into Christmas planning mode. Our new Christmas party menu has been launched and mailed out to friends and businesses in the area. If you'd like your own copy - which includes a copy of Oak News, our newsletter, email our friends at Nice Work and they'll be delighted to send you a copy.

And this week is also a special week because we've got the long awaited return of the Twang Dragons on Friday night. We're expecting a huge number of people - but don't worry we can fit you all in, just make sure you arrive early!

The Twangs are over from the States for a short tour and we're really pleased they've chosen the Oak on their itinerary. For a sneak preview of what to expect, check them out here!

We'll see you here!!