The Oak Bar is a laid back, effortlessly hip venue with a huge gay (mostly lesbian) following; the loyal clientele favouring its cheap drinks and pub-like aesthetic.

The Venue
Oak Bar is located at the Newington Green end of Green Lanes. Just a fifteen minute bus ride from Angel or a nine minute walk from Canonbury Railway Station, the exterior is painted black with an iconic gay rainbow flag flying proudly outside.

This well lit, mock-Tudor style bar is L-shaped inside and fits about 250 people in total, with a pool table close to the entrance and a generous lounge area nearby. To the side of the lounge is a spacious dancefloor complete with DJ booth, a full sound system complete with lighting and plasma screens. Small (cramped might be a better word) toilets are situated behind the dancefloor with an all-wooden large bar nearby.

The Atmosphere
The Oak Bar has a relaxed, unpretentious feel that appeals to its diverse range of customers. Predominantly marketed as a lesbian bar, there are several gay and women-only nights whilst the rest are mixed and include old school, hip hop, rock and disco parties. These parties are also designed to appeal to the dominant Turkish and Cypriot community residing on Green Lanes. Occasional live bands appear at The Oak too, and the venue can be hired out for private parties with the option to extend the 3am licence on an ad-hoc application.

The bar staff are friendly, attentive and mostly female, in keeping with the dressed-down, casual cool vibe of the place.

The Drink
The Oak Bar boasts a large range of tap and bottled beers including Kronenbourg, Fosters, Stella and Hoegaarden. Also on offer is a wide variety of spirits and red and white wine and Champagne, all at very reasonable prices.

The Last Word
The Oak Bar is the perfect destination for a great night out without the superficiality and pretension that’s so prevalent in nightclubs these days. The slogan for one of its club nights, Lower the Tone, is ‘a club for people who hate clubs’.

venue information venue map view london review user reviews (4)