Taking you along on the journey through my neck of the woods searching to find the best drinking venue on the 2.0 mile strip I call home.

When deciding on a venue for a Goodfellasesque reunion of old friends I considered several options. While Nick’s is always a smash, the later hour and Monday time frame called for a more subdued choice. Building off of the strength of my experience at Bar Johnny as well as my friends’ desire to join me in a potential wife hunting (someone else’s, not my own mind you) expedition we felt it the perfect location.
Arriving at the bar, our haphazard group is crestfallen to find out the bar is closed (5pm – close: very helpful). Luckily, fortune’s wheel didn’t leave us too far astride and we press head long into The Royal Oak, conveniently located right next door.

Somewhere in the deep annals of my memory I recall coming to this establishment before. Luckily one of my brothers in arms was there to pick up the slack and reminds me that it is in this very bar where we spent an evening with a married (I’m seeing a pattern here) Boston lawyer and her flight attendant friend – sigh.
Back to the present, this Monday night is a far cry from that fateful Friday and our party of 4 effectively doubles the occupancy. No matter, the beer is flowing and the lack of a crowd makes The Royal Oak a perfect spot for groups (or so I thought). What the bar lacked in patronage it made up for with the sound system as late 90’s rap songs blared from the speakers. While the huddle of bar flies was likely cursing today’s youth and trying to keep their ears from bleeding, I didn’t find the music too painful – though it did make conversation a little difficult. Making our way through several rounds of drinks, the music seemed to dull (along with the rest of our senses) and our jovial laughter and recapping of days gone by became paramount above “The Next Episode.”
The Royal Oak has an expansive selection of seating arrangement with several antique chairs and oak (big surprise) tables where even on more crowded nights one can find a place to sit. Though the backdrop of The Chronic 2001 made for an odd setting, the bar delivered. Cheap drinks and abundant seating, I think I found a new bar to add to my weeknight bar rotation– I’ll just tell them to go easy on the Dr. Dre.

The Rundown:

Address: 2201 Polk St (Between Bonita and Vallejo)

Hours: 5:00pm – 2am

Best Night: Weeknights, Saturday.

Drinks: Beers – Fine selection of beers from across the pond. Shoot for a Bass and Guinness Black and Tan, you won’t be disappointed.

Synopsis: Lounge with dive bar heritage. Good for groups and random adventures.