Royal Oak

I had one night at this place and it was awesome.
One of the bartenders was that chick from America’s Next Top Model that slept with the Italian in the hot tub, I drank something called a bramble that was seriously delicious, I talked political philosophy with the DJ while he spun, and I smoked cigs outside with a group of seriously hipster guys that I would have never talked to in DC.
I am saddened that it closed, but it felt it need a review. RIP Royal Oak.

I’m starting to think that every bar in North Williamsburg is designed, owned and operated by the same person. Same white tile accents, rustic wooden tables, same friendly short-​tongued bartenders and a back room dance floor and/​or outdoor space to mix and mingle.
Royal Oak doesn’t stand out much from the pack but it’s still a decent place to grab a reasonably priced drink. The music can be hit or miss and there’s been many times when I peek in the back and see a dance floor akin to a middle school sock hop. Think classic tunes, with plenty of 98 degrees and Kelly Clarkson thrown in. But people do dance, so if you’re looking to shake a leg, may as well exercise it here.

I loved the place: dark enough, big comfy booths, secret rooms, music that isn’t deafening. Comfortable,
I like it!

Watched a really awesome show with a girl and a guy singer/​guitarist.
It’s a great space. Some awesome deals too– like the beer & a shot or the bucket of ponies!

Thank you, Royal Oak, for letting me in even though I misplaced my ID. Your drinks are cheap, your style is spaciously slammin’ and the DJ had everyone moving on the dance floor. Although it is a bit dark inside – that kind of dark where just about everyone looks good, until someone hits the lights… but I guess if your beer goggles are in full effect, the only real horror probably won’t be ’til the morning after. It’s the perfect setting for the «lost inhibitions/​regret later» scenarios or the what-the-hell-did-I-do-last-night?-I’ve-got-a-fcuking-headache! routine.
Oh, and thanks for the A+ entertainment as we watched your wasted patrons slip, crash and face-​plant across your slippery ramp and slowly try to get back up [points and laughs]. If you have no idea what I’m talking about, order a drink and grab a table across from the men’s restroom door, preferably on a snow-​y/​rainy night and sit back, relax and enjoy the show. You can thank me later.

Nice and roomy bar, with AWESOME layout. Drinks are inexpensive. Live DJ plays okay music.
I visited last week with friends. We had an awesome time. I loved the place, and the bartender was really nice.
I couldn’t figure out why a bar this good is this quiet, (not that it’s necessarily a bad thing). Maybe cuz it’s off the beaten path. For now, it feels like that hidden jewel. A few things are under construction next door, maybe then.

Went here recently on a Saturday night. I had heard good things about it, but had never been. Very spacious bar, huge front room with old circular booths. Awesome tile floor. I love the drink specials, and although I don’t hang out in the ‘burg too often, I think they are cheaper than a lot of places. Bartenders were super cool.
I LOVE the little side super private room. I also love the little alcove where the atm is hidden. Probably the one time I didn’t mind that a bar didn’t take cards, just because of that little room.
And, of course, the dance area in the back. I didn’t really believe my friends when they said it turned into an outrageous dance party, but it sure did. Good mix of music, and people for that matter.
DEF can’t wait to go back!

I visited Royal Oak for the first time for The Moon variety show last week (Tuesday night) and passed a few hours merrily. The hot toddy I enjoyed was definitely the largest I’d ever had (it came in a great big beer mug) and a great value, ounce by ounce, compared with other hot toddies I’d had in the city.
And maybe it’s just because I’ve been so adverse to closet-​sized Manhattan nightspots lately, but it felt really sweet to have much space. Not only is there a large main bar area with some nice booth seating, but also a pool table and another large room with more tables adjacent to it (guess that’s the dance floor, although there was definitely no dancing when I was there). I felt relaxed and happy and surrounded by good people, and at the end of the day isn’t that all you want from a bar?

You come here to drink and dance… and most likely too much of both.
The questionably-​aged female rumor is true. The girls-​throwing-​up because the drinks are too strong rumor is also true. Pretty much all the rumors are true.
Another thing that’s true? Every time I come here I have a good time… well, at least the times I can actually remember.

People head to Royal Oak for two reasons — to get drunk cheaply, and to dance. Unfortunately, this combination often leads to what is commonly known as a Sh*t Show.
Yes, the drinks are strong, far too strong in my opinion. Maybe they are better suited to the very recent college grads (and probably a decent amount of current students) who frequent this place, but I like something that is properly mixed that I don’t have to choke down. On the dancing front, the music is very hit-​or-​miss. I’ve been dragged to Royal Oak on nights where I can say that I’ve honestly had a great time. Other times, as some others have mentioned, the music selection can be all over the place and not in that good, Mark Ronson sort of way. Also, with no coat check, items often go missing. I have soberly lost a jacket and have had friends loose items as well.
No visit to Royal Oak would be complete without a visit to the restroom where someone has been undoubtedly throwing up. Those strong drinks will get ya. Ladies, I’m looking in your direction.
I will concede that the interior is quite beautiful, especially considering what this place looks like from the outside (a dump). I’ll probably continue to go, late at night, but not without listing off fifteen better local options. Sometimes the crowd just wants to get drunk and dance.

Stopped in for a pint before heading home one night. Good small selection of beers, great booths and the tiles on the bar and the floor were really cool.

I’ve gotta admit that I’ve avoided Royal Oak since it opened roughly 7 years ago. To me, this place meant you’d be rubbing elbows with the most annoying Williamsburg hipster. Years ago these were the types who wore American Apparel, «terrorist» scarves and danced equally frenetically to the Jam *and* Kelly Clarkson. (I’ve bartended in a bunch of places).
Fast forward to the end of 2010 and the hipsters have moved to Bushwick and now are dressing in Grandma and Grandpa «chic» (think leisure sneakers, ugly holiday sweaters and glasses that remind me of Jane Fonda in 9 to 5). I don’t know what they’re dancing to, because I don’t work in clubs anymore.
The point of this? I guess I’m trying to work a hipster analysis into a review and I guess here is a good a place as any.
I hung out at Royal Oak a bunch of times recently and wow, yes it’s true: I’m a fan! First of all, they have *good* drinks. I’m talking specialty cocktails. They don’t garnish with those icky maraschino cherries, but *actual* fresh blackberries instead! For real! Julian is an awesome bartender whose bar I used to haunt at Lucky Cheng’s Voodoo Lounge and Waikiki Wally’s (full disclosure: I used to work with him and this kid knows how to pour a drink and talk the talk).
Second, the venerable Father Jeff has brought his long running and kick ass club night, Ward 6 to Royal Oak. If you’re a fan of goth/​dark wave music, this is your night. Right now it’s a monthly, but I know a few people that were begging for it to be a bimonthly.
Third, I just love the photos of the staffs’ grandparents in their glory years. Great idea.
Fourth, the tile floors… I can’t stop admiring them.
Fifth, booths! Old school, massive circular ones!
Sixth, that cool semi private side room.
I have to wonder what this space was in the past. It’s got such a lovely, interesting interior.
This place is more than bearable if you go on the right night, that is, when the DJ isn’t being ironic. The improved booking proves that they intend to mix it up a bit and on any given night you might find a burlesque show or a noise night. Keep it up, Royal Oak!

Stopped in here tonight actually, and it was a little dead but very chill. (Wednesday night) Lots of drink specials going on, very, very, VERY cool bartenders here!
It was nice to be able to stop in somewhere, relax and a have a conversation in a mellow bar. This is the bar you actually go to be able to talk to someone. I’m a fan of Pete’s Candy Store (which is basically a block away), but sometimes you’re in the mood for something a little more carefree, chill, and light hearted. A place you can go have a few drinks and catch up with people, or actually get to know new ones because you will be able to hear what they’re saying.
It gets more crowded on the weekends, but they actually have a good amount of space to accommodate a crowd unlike other places.
This place is just one of those places where it really is as good as it gets. Royal Oak plus Pete’s is the perfect night!

I like bars with specialty drinks.
Royal Oak has the Tina Fey (delicious!) and the Bramble, both $ 8 a pop and both containing a blackberry. Delicious and witty.
I like places where you can dance for fun and not with the goal of being up in everyone’s business.
At Royal Oak there was plenty of room to dance and very few creepy people.
I like places that are unpretentious.
Royal Oak had down-​to-​earth bartenders and people who were just there to have fun with friends rather than to be part of a «scene.» Also, the bar is on a quiet part of Union and just has a little neon sign saying «BAR». I walked right past it the first time! Inside it’s really nice though.
I love ‘90s music.
Some songs on the playlist included Kiss, Bust a Move, and other songs with good beats. «But those aren’t 90s songs!» you say? I know. That’s the only reason I didn’t give 5 stars.
Saturday at midnight was when the dancing began. I will definitely go back!

I’ve been going to Royal Oak for a year now and it’s always been good. I go for the drinks (The Bramble and The Tina Fey, The Tina Fey is now my favorite) and the dancing.
The bartenders are friendly enough and I’ve never waited forever for a drink. They have a big space in the back where you can let loose and get your freak on. The DJ can be a hit or a miss. Last time I went (three weekends ago) the speakers were broken and they sent the good DJ home and started playing stuff off of the bartender’s ipods, which meant there would be one good song and then five lame ones. Another time the DJ was only playing Daft Punk, which I know excites some of you but it got real old real fast. Other times I’ve stayed til last call because the music was bumping.
The crowd is the same way, really good on some nights, and super lame on others. It gets packed on the weekends, so don’t go if you want to sit in the corner and be moody or if you’re going to be that jerk who gets mad when people are pushed up against them. People like to go out too! Be social, it doesn’t hurt! The ladies bathroom is always clean and smells like strawberries. No idea about the men’s room. Also, is everyone is there 21 or over? Most likely no, but those people (or should I say girls) are easy to spot, so don’t stand/​sit/​dance next to them.
You can (and will) have a good time here if you leave your attitude at home and order a Tina Fey. Joins us on the dance floor; I know you got moves.
(Also: They had a coat check last winter but it’s gone now. I wish it make an appearance again!)

They
Do have
Large crowd for
Late night dancing
But its a bit too crowded and skeezy.

Listen, I’m not gonna lie. Was the reason I loved this place so much because they played only the hits? Was it because I had passed out in the booth and woke up declaring, «I’m not drunk, I’m only drinking shots!» Was it because weird men line up to do fake strip teases at my friend’s bachelorette party? No, it was ALL of those things.
I could totally see some hipsters thinking they were too cool for school going to this place. Why? Cause it was kind of a meat market and filled with drunk people dancing. To be honest, this place is probably not even set up to be a dance club – but, if you want to dance to great music and drink cheap (for Brooklyn) this place was it! We had the best time, it never got too crowded and we didn’t break the bank drinking there. Now, there were people in the crowd sneaking in flasks and their own cans of beer but that’s not my style (you NYC peeps need to come to affordable Philly). The bartender was awesome, the bouncer was awesome and the DJ was awesome. He even agreed to play Hall and Oates when he knew Sara Smile would clear out the dance floor, which it did.
Overall, it was a great place to dance with people who were looking to dance. I can’t wait to go back!

About the only person giving me compliments these days is Unilocal.«Looking good, Brett.» «You’re looking smart today, Brett.» Thanks, boo. If it weren’t for you, I might be stuck in a corner, crying, like a baby, listening to «Hungry Eyes» on repeat all night.*
But since Unilocal and I aren’t monogamous**, I decided to go out and maybe, just maybe, impress something other than my computer for once.
Royal Oak, as it turns out, is really just a lot of white people dancing. I don’t have anything against either of the two, but it can be an interesting combo. Unfortunately, I still haven’t learned the value of pre-​gaming, so I arrived as the Sober Sister, and I don’t dance without being heavily intoxicated.***
After downing a beer as quickly as I could, I was ready to at least move my hips a little. The backroom was extremely crowded (Friday night), so I barely had room to show off my moves. Worse, I was stuck. No, literally, I was stuck. My feet had the misfortune of meeting the floor right in a spot where someone had clearly spilled a drink. I could barely lift my shoes!
But nobody puts Baby in a corner, so I fought through and grooved a little. I became just another white person dancing. Not bad, Royal Oak, not bad.
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* Too soon?
** Unilocal’s been around the block (EVERY block) a few times.
*** Anyone watch True Blood? I sort of dance like Andy, that is, like I’m having an epileptic seizure. I could also be compared to Elaine on Seinfeld. It’s not pretty.

Went the night Michael Jackson died.
It was off the hook, the floor was so filled with people with fake IDs that I couldn’t move anything but my head. Got my butt pinched, but I was drunk so it was all good.
After about an hour or so my date insisted we leave… I obliged like a true lady. Something about the vibe was rubbing him the wrong way— the people here were just acting, «too cool» or just rather douchechill.
I had fun but the crowd was a little too young for me and I’m 21… no bueno.

Fan for the best Manhattan cocktail in town, served by Christina. And if there is no cherry left, a blackberry is a sweet change in taste.
Then a good place to dance also!