The Old Oak
Oliver Plunkett Street , Cork, Ireland
Overall: 5.0
Food: 5.0
Drink: 5.0
Atmosphere: 4.0
 Click to enlarge |
While we do our best to ensure all information is current please bear in mind that we don't have any description of this particular premises by the owner and so are unable to vouch for it's details or that it is still open. If you own or manage this premises you are entitled to provide a free description of The Old Oak and the information that will allow you to be seen on our map. This will ensure that you are seen on RatePubs.com (one of the most visited sites in the world) as well as all other relevant sites in The RatePubs Network. Entering your details will also give you free spotlight exposure throughout the network (including the front pages of many sites) and will ensure your details are available on our popular download service. To avail of this free, no-commitment service (or simply to learn how The RatePubs Network can help your business) click here |
The Old Oak Features In 1 Tours; Cork Jazz Festival 2006 Pub Trail,
(See All Details On Tours Featuring The Old Oak)
You don’t get to be one of the most popular pubs in any city without doing something right. Which means you can be pretty certain that The Old Oak is popular for a reason other than its prime location, especially since what started as a small city-centre pub has continued growing until it is now what can only be described as a superpub.
The Old Oak began life a little over 15 years ago as a small pub holding maybe 50 people. It gradually expanded into neighbouring premises and is now a large meandering pub with four different bars and a selection of nooks and crannies. From the front door you enter the original refurbished bar and make your way through an archway into a large room with a second bar. To your left a passage leads to a third bar, while the right has a stage and beyond that another room with a fourth bar. The primary building materials are wood and brick. These are used in different ratios but still provide an overall feeling of being in the one bar.
The mention of a “superpub” is usually not a good sign, conjuring up pictures of massive drink emporiums without atmosphere or warmth. The Old Oak, despite its size manages to avoid the worst of this because the individual areas are not too large themselves.
I last paid a visit to The Old Oak on a Saturday evening. At 8pm the bar had a smattering of customers and there were plenty of seats available. Waiting for a pint of Murphy’s to settle I took a look around. The customers ranged from people in their early 20s up to at least one man in his 70s. As it filled up the profile changed and at the end of the night the average age was early thirties with an almost equal number of males and females.
The pint arrived and was smooth and creamy. I have generally found the quality of the stout to be very good in The Old Oak, though I have had some bad lagers in the past. The price is standard for Cork city with my Murphy’s costing €3.80 and a Heineken €3.90.
One of the real attractions of the Old Oak is its long dedication to live music. As you will see from the posters around the bar there are bands many nights a week, usually with no cover charge. These play on the stage in the main bar and the pictures are relayed to the TVs around the bar though the sound isn’t. There wasn’t a band playing tonight but there was a DJ by the stage.
There are toilets both in the main bar and up stairs. There was no signature list to say if they were checked regularly or not but they were clean throughout the night.
The Old Oak is successful for a reason. They put effort into getting good bands, the pint is good, and the atmosphere lively. If you're in Cork pay it a visit. Even if you don't love it you'll have fun…and probably find yourself going back at least once.
March 2006
Do you think our experience reflects yours? Leave a review or discuss it in the Conversation Corner
|
Overall: 
Food:
Drink:
Atmosphere: 
if u take cocaine and are middle age it's probably for you - dr bob jones, cork
Anonymous, Oct 3, 2007 |
|
Overall: 
Food:
Drink: 
Atmosphere:
While we were in Cork we went to the Oak every night. Hot bar tenders, great atmosphere, good selection on drinks, great owner, next time we are back in Ireland we are going to make a stop in for sure.
Ps you are now on facebook - Jo and Mandy, Canada Anonymous, Jun 10, 2007 |
|
Overall:
Food:
Drink:
Atmosphere:
Well laid out pub. drink at times can be poor. Lighting level needs to be turned down a notch. too bright. Very good live venue. - Sean, Ireland
Anonymous, Feb 5, 2007 |
|
Overall:
Food:
Drink:
Atmosphere:
Great bar with great Irish craic!!! I think that they have live entertainment regularly or at least they did while I was in Ireland...throughly enjoyed the beers and men!!!
Jenny, Feb 6, 2006 |
|
Overall:
Food:
Drink:
Atmosphere:
This is a really popular pub and is always busy. It has a small front which opens into a large space at the back. Always a good buzz and has always had live music.
A Guest Of Ireland, Mar 16, 2004 |
Reviews are the personal opinion of the reviewers. Please use your own judgement about the weight to give any individual review. You may wish to consider the quality of the review, the maturity of the reviewer and whether they are prepared to stand over their review by becoming a member.
While each review may include ratings only those reviews submitted by registered members are used in calculating the bars overall ratings.
Affiliates Member Bar Login Free Content & APIs RSS Network Sites Press Sitemap
Copyright (c) 2004 RatePubs. All Rights Reserved info@ratepubs.com
List Bars
Map Bars
Add Bars
toolbar