Aside from the bar owner being a hostile, snobby, and pretentious ass, this bar is probably the worst representation of Williamsburg bars.
We're fucking New York people! We're suppose to be at the forefront of music and style, but instead it's just lame 90's remixes (that often skip 'cause the DJ has no clue what he's doing) He/she breakouts into Country- and not the good old school kind- just really baaaad shit.
Also, it's not the safest place for women. People get rowdy, and I've seen at least 2 fights here. My ass has been grabbed here (was not wearing a hoe skirt, just jeans), and I've had friends who've had similar situations.

the owner is the biggest dickhead. i urge everyone to not go to this bar...he does not deserve your money. there are plenty of other places that do.

The owner of this bar, Ben Shih, is a really horrible guy. The last time I was there he came wearing full military fatigue (WTF?!?) and started yelling at everyone. I've never been treated so poorly at a place I was spending money at in my life.

This place used to be ok.... now it has become a douche bag magnet. The bar tender was terrible. I mean really, how do you mess up a gin and tonic?

I had a lot of fun there, great dj, hot chicks, decently priced drinks, people out to have fun - unlike most places in manhattan.

Royal Oak is just far enough from Bedford & N. 7th (the Times Square of Williamsburg) to feel like a secret bar. But there it is, right out in the open--no Larry Lawrence-style unmarked entrance, although it does have 30's vintage look with a cigarette-smoked patina to match; smokers puffed away to the DJ all three times I've been there. Royal Oak also was uncrowded, with nearly every ocean-green retro bar stool empty. Pick one in the center and admire the classic oak bar and long row of fantastic beers on tap.

NO FREE WATER!!
YOU HAVE TO BUY WATER!

This place can eat my ass.

True, the owner is fucking insane, but he's definitely a self-made man, and was in charge of his bar renovations (for 2 places). As far as I know he's a Gulf War vet, law school graduate, and is also currently serving in the armed forces again. He is notably lacking in communication skills (especially in the course of his dj relations), but I guess people often compensate in other areas. You just have to know how to deal with him, but he's deserving in credit where it's due.

I'm guessing none of you have signed up to fight in Iraq this time around...

This place rules! It's full of lil' McHotties fresh off the hipster boat. As soon as they lay down that wicked awesome Le Tigre DFA remix from 3 years ago, I just start grindin'! It's real easy to pick up girls here because they have no idea what's going on in Brooklyn, so I just lay some bullshit about working for Jane and BAM!, I'm bustin' 'dem gills. It's so easy because all the dudes in there are new to the area and ain't got no game. Royal Oak has this cool out-of-way indie vibe about it that just pulls 'em like tuna. Bring yo girlfriend;)

I would be into this place but it smells like cat piss, I asked the bartender "yo dude, did a cat piss in this pint or does it just smell the piss that would come from the gentialia of a cat?"

I guess that was too cerebral or cerebro! He told me to chill out, he was lame.

Yo, the Abbey is better, or maybe that other place with the cheap drinks that you get free Pizza at but the problem is that all the girls have Pizza guts. Oh well, I don't make enough pretending to be a graphic designer.

I wouldn't go here.

Complaining that there are too many white people at bars in Williamsburg is sort of like going to Italy and gettin' all grumpy because everybody's so Italian. And the dude was most definitely NOT "given" the bar by ANYBODY. He's a self-made man. The space and the music may not be for all tastes, but if the owner was rude to ya I venture that you richly merited his scorn.

Boo hoo, you're white get over it pussy. You want to be around different races in a sweet environment...go to jail fag. You can get fucked up the ass by tough asians, blacks, hispanics, etc, and it will be more "eye opening" and diverse than going to see VIETNAM at your homie's loft brah.
Eat my shit.
Cam'ron Rulezzzzz
Go to bars to drink not to be a NY Times reporter.

- ONE LOVE WHITE PEOPLE RULE

i love the bar thge girls r hott the owners is cool. ted is the best dj

No, the owner Benjamin is a youngish Asian guy who was given the bar by his parents and has no ability to relate to human beings socially. He routinely fires his DJs for no reason other than he doesn't like the music, humiliates the bartenders because they haven't brought in enough money (as if they're supposed to be perched on Bedford with a cardboard sign to attract customers), and is just all-around jerk who's hostile to strangers and regulars alike. I'm continually boggled by the fact that anybody drinks there in the first place. There are so many better bars nearby, you shouldn't waste your time at the Royal Oak. The spoiled rich-kid owner really does ruin it.

You missed the point nimrod. The owner is racist to the point of not only refusing service to a certain shade of brown, he also won't let his DJ's play rap music. Ask anyone who's ever worked there about him and you'll get an earfull. From what I've pieced together, he uses his bar to try to impress people, especially the women. Dude's ego is so big, he even put a big "B" tiled on the floor in this place. Bottom line is this, if you want to help make an asshole rich, throw your money down here. I don't go 'cause that's how I roll.

Damn. Chill out dude. Williamsburg snobbery is getting really old. Just do your thing and obsess less about how everyone isn't as cool or real as you. You assume a group of black people must be Brooklynites - um, black people can also go to NYU and live in Manhattan. This is a nice bar and pretty fun if you want to hang out with friends, dance, whatever.

If scoring inferior blow and hooking up with sullen trust-fund "artists" is important to you, be sure to stop by Royal Oak. From sullen staff, to a poorly laid out space, to no racial diversity whatsoever, the setting is uncomfortable and rage-inducing. Royal Oak is pompous and hosts lousy shows. It's dominated by the same people who everyone in Williamsburg complains about as being the people ruining Williamsburg. There are dozens of white people there at any given time, ranging from white and "culturally aware" to white and quietly racist*. Plus, Royal Oak is filled with NYU students who have gotten tired of ruining the LES, and are now descending on the burg like locusts with bad hair!

*the last time I was dragged there, I saw a guy who I used to run into occasionally on the LES stare down an entering group of black Brooklynites until they decided against it. It was supremely messed up.