Oakdale Arms (Milton)

No Longer In Business

Unfortunately this oasis in a beer desert was demolished in June 2011. Was under constant threat of closure for years. A shame.

Paid my most recent visit here last night and took a few rb rating forms with me. Pub was very quiet and I was the only customer when I first arrived. There was a maximum of around twelve people in at the peak around 2200hrs. There were no guest ales on during this visit but the Milton range was on good form. There are still no bar snacks or food of any kind sold here; you may, with permission, take in food from local takeaway outlets. UPDATE: new review of 25/2/10 Very enjoyable session here on 23rd Feb. While the pub was not crowded out, there were plenty more drinkers in than at my last visit of May 2009. Noted there were only 4 handpumps, two in use this time (Milton Pegasus and Banks & Taylor Golden Dragon, both well kept). I am told the owner has requisitioned the "missing" pumps for a new pub in Cambridge. Music was at a much more comfortable level, and conversation ruled on Tuesday night. On top of this everyone in the pub seemed chilled and relaxed, making for a welcoming atmosphere. The lizards are all doing fine and the pub is otherwise unchanged. While it is a shame to have lost half a dozen or so handpumps, Rob and the team are doing a good job in keeping a decent pint and running the Oakdale "business as usual" despite its precarious future. It is still worth visiting, and hopefully it is here for a little longer yet.

Truly in the middle of nowhere, this cozy, dark pub shows up. We felt as if we were intruding a bit on the locals - at least at first - then one cracked a joke about my difficulty choosing a beer, and all was fine. Milton on cask is a definite draw, good Belgians in bottle and lots of other small breweries on cask. Friendly bartender, who even took time to throw away a beggar at out table outside. Not the most cozy arrangements outside, though.

Many folk think that you have to walk from Green Lanes. Easyest is to tube to 7 Sisters and bus down 7 sisters Rd (4 mins) from there. You get off just after that grubby old pub (4get name) on left and walk through the estate. (Get an A-Z!). Now this estate can be daunting and its not exactly Wonderland but its only 5 mins walk if you are fit! We won the petition by the owners to close & convert it but they can still appeal so never say "it was empty". Just don’t! Its a tied house of Milton brewery in Cambs, the other still hasn’t opened. Tom & Co put on regular beer fests on the stillage and curry sessions.

Nice pub i perhaps not the most desirable area. The beer selection was great, 8 handpumps, which constantly roatae, i would have had 8 new beers if it wasn’t one of the pumps being off. They also have a good range of Belgian bottled beer, so its definitely a beer lovers pub. Having said that it was very quiet when i went there (late afternoon), it would have been a bit more fun, if there was more people in here, but it was a nice little pub, and the beer was good. Nearest tube stations were 7 Sisters and Manor house