Soon be Christmas?

Some great news for the Oak is on the horizon - it'll soon be Christmas!

We've been roadtesting our Christmas menu - and take it from us, it's going to be good! And we're also about to launch our new Lunchtime menu - more news here soon.

Our last Open Mic Night seems to have caused something of a stir - not least because of Mine Host Carmen's showstopping appearance with a cracking rendition of Minnie Ripperton's "Loving You"! The surprise appearance may not be the last time .... you'll have to join us at our next Open Mic night to find out!

Big news locally this week? The beak is back! Yup, Emu is making a comeback! Apparently, the latest incarnation of our most famous local resident puppet Emu is back on TV next month. His previous owner Rod Hull lived locally until his death a few years ago - and now his son is bringing the thing back.

We can't wait!

Our Bluegrass night at the Oak is becoming ever more popular and the boys will be there once again tonight (Thursday). The session begins at 9.00 pm and you're welcome to pop along and see what all the fuss is about! Tomorrow though, the Oak should see another great evening when The Dawgs hit the place. As their website says, why not say "Howdy" to The Dawgs? If your taste is Cajun or Hillbilly, you've really no excuse not to be there!

The music begins at 9 pm.

See you here?

What a stink!!

The introduction of the smoking ban in pubs on July 1st has had a number of effects - some landlords claiming that they have lost business, others bemoaning the fact that the non smokers have still not returned in the numbers they promised to do prior to the legislation.

Here at the Royal Oak, we retain a strictly neutral view of smoking believing that non smokers have the right to enjoy both food and drink in a smoke-free environment - and we cater for those who enjoy tobacco, with a paved patio area with plenty of seating.

However, our eyebrows were raised when we saw a report in the paper over the weekend regarding pub smells. Apparently, some pubs are planning to pump in artificial scents to mask the smell of stale beer, sweat and drains that used to be disguised by cigarettes before the smoking ban.

The smell of ocean breeze and freshly cut grass are being tested by one major brewery in an effort to disguise the locker room aroma in some crowded venues on warm Friday and Saturday nights. One pub boss reports: “Appetising food smells have increased but others are less attractive, such as stale food and beer, damp, sweat and body odour, drains and — how do you put this nicely? — flatulence.”

Well, we can assure you that the Royal Oak has a very pleasant smell indeed - usually the smell of good, home cooked food!

Come along and try it out for yourself!

A great week coming up at the Oak. Following another successful Open Mic Night on Friday, we return to live music this Thursday with Bluegrass and then on Friday we welcome the amazing Stag Band. If you look great folk rock with some of the best musicians of this genre - then get yourself down here early!!

Excitement mounts

We had a great Thursday Bluegrass Night this week. The place was buzzing with loads of people eating as well as listening to the music.


And as we start the downhill trek to Christmas and winter (sorry!!), we're getting excited about the live music coming up.

Top of the list has to be the arrival of the Twang Dragons in October. This band are flying over from their home in Milwaukee for a short British tour - and they're going to be playing here at the Oak. It's going to be a great night - and we want plenty of cowboy hats and western dress on the night please! If you've not heard or seen the Twang Dragons, check out this video of the band. If you can't wait to hear the band, you can buy any of their four albums on i-Tunes.


Before then, though, we have another live Bluegrass night next Thursday, a spectacular Open Mic Night on Friday with Steve Stone and guests - and we're also looking forward to welcoming the Dawgs and the Stag Band in September.


All in all, it's an exciting time at the Oak - come and look us up!

Clean air at the Royal Oak - if you want it!

Reports suggest that cigarette sales have dropped by almost 7% since the smoking ban was introduced in England in July.

We don't moralise at the Royal Oak but we do support the right of our customers to enjoy their food and drink in a smoke-free atmosphere.

However, for those of our customers who do like to smoke, we have plenty of outdoor space with seating from which you can enjoy your tobacco.

Below - spotted last weekend

Ssshh - Bank Holiday workers in full flow - please do not disturb!!

A great Bank Holiday!

We enjoyed a good Bank Holiday Weekend with a great crowd of people visiting us over the three days - it was good to see old friends and some new ones enjoying our hospitality.

Mind you, you shouldn't wait for a holiday weekend to come and sample the Royal Oak!

Our latest Specials Menu is now available - chef Mark's Liver and Bacon and his Chicken with Bacon and Brie went down particularly well at the weekend. Click here to see our latest specials menu.

Live Music Update

Just announced!! The fantastic Twang Dragons will be appearing live at the Royal Oak on Friday October 5th. If you like your music “a little bit country, a little bit fire-breathin' serpintine grooving rocker” then you just can't afford to miss The Twang Dragons!

The band hail from Milwaukee - and for a taste of their music, check out one of their You Tube vids here?

Why not book early, make a night of it and enjoy a pre-gig meal?

Oh - and bring your Cowboy Hat and spurs, we'll be handing out a prize to the best western dress.

Before then we have Bluegrass this Thursday and next - plus next Friday sees another of our popular Open Mic Nights with regular compere Steve Stone.

Coming soon!

There's some great live music on its way to the Royal Oak.

In addition to our weekly Bluegrass session each Thursday night, our ever popular Open Mic Night with Steve Stone takes place on the first Friday of the month - our next one is Friday September 7th.

September also sees two great bands visiting the Oak.

On the 14th, we've some great Folk Rock with the Stag Band and Friday 21st September sees the return of the ever popular Dawgs (left). If you like your Hillbilly and Cajun music spicy, then don't miss this one! For a taste of what to expect, click here.

The Royal Oak is a great place to catch some of the best live music in East Sussex - and don't forget our full range of home cooked food is always available - so you can dine and listen!

The summer's on it's way!!

Forget the miserable summer we've had - it's all going to change this weekend. The weathermen are telling us that the miserable rain and wind is leaving us and that hot sunny climes will be with us just in time for the Bank Holiday weekend.

So, why not come on down to Rye this August Bank Holiday?

Rye is a lovely place to bring the family - with more culture than you can shake a stick at in this wonderful ancient town. Perched on a hill, overlooking the River Rother and Romney Marsh, Rye is the sort of place you thought existed only in your imagination. With enchanting cobbled streets, a medieval church and beautifully preserved historic houses from medieval, Tudor and Georgian times, Rye is almost suspended in time and has a uniquely unhurried atmosphere. Compact enough to discover the key places of interest over a week-end but with plenty of secret treasures to entice you to stay much longer and to return again.

And if it's traditional seaside activities you're looking for, then look no further than Camber Sands - with one of the finest beaches on the south coast.

And when you've built up an appetite, why not come along and visit the Royal Oak for a great Bank Holiday lunch, dinner or snack? Chef Mark is working on a brand new specials menu - and we'll bring you news of that right here very shortly.

If you're visiting Rye, you'll find the Royal Oak on the main A268 road a couple of miles outside the town. If you're coming to the town from London, the A21 or the M25, you'll probably be driving right past our front door - well don't drive past, call in!!

Before the weekend though, don't forget our popular Bluegrass Night with live music on Thursday night.