Why do we call the Oak royal? It all has to do with our love of history and a keen awareness of our heritage. The story goes as follows...

Charles II, whose father Charles I had been beheaded by Oliver Cromwell, became a fugitive whilst running from Cromwell's army after being soundly defeated at the Battle of Worcester in 1651. He took refuge with a Major Carlis in Boscobel Woods where the two hid in an oak tree to get a good view of the approaching army. They remained all day, the King sleeping from time to time, his head on a cushion on Carlis' lap. Cromwell's troops passed under the tree but did not see him or his companion. After Cromwell died the good people of England decided a monarchy was not such a bad idea afterall. Charles II was restored to the British crown. In celebration, Charles' birthday, May 29, was designated "Oak Day" in remembrance of his escape from Cromwell in 1651. May 29 remained a public holiday until the 1850's, and late into the 19th century was celebrated in England with oak leave in the hat and oak boughs over the door.

We thought this a great story, hence the Royal Oak Pubs.

The recent past...

1980 - The "original" Royal Oak is opened by John Howard and Gordon Lilley at 318 Bank Street

1982 - John Thoday joins the team as Chief Operating Officer

1987 - Royal Oak Laurier is unveiled. The pub is housed in a vintage building near the University of Ottawa

1989 - Royal Oak Kanata is opened to serve Kanata and the booming 'high-tech' industries

1991 - "The Glebe" Royal Oak is opened, attracting folks from the neighbourhood and students and faculty from Carleton University

1994 - The City of Gloucester welcomes the fifth Royal Oak pub situated across from Pineview Golf Course at Blair Rd.

1996 - Royal Oak in Kingston is opened. This property is sold to local interests in 1998

1998 - Royal Oak Orleans opens it's doors at the corner of Jeanne d'Arc and St. Joseph

2000 - We opened in the trendy neighbourhood of Hintonburg with an upscale pub receiving rave reviews from newspapers and the local neighbourhood.

2001 - When a local restaurant closed its doors we jumped at the chance to open our 8th Royal Oak. This one is located on the canal right at Pretoria Bridge. An historical area of town, the Royal Oak is the only pub situated on the canal.

2002 - In late November, we finally succeeded in finding a great location in the south end. The 9th Royal Oak is our biggest yet, located right at the corner of Hunt Club and Uplands.

2004 - When the Gondola Restaurant closed its doors after 35 years at the corner of glouceter and Bank, across from L'Esplanade Laurier, we once again jumped at the opportunity to open in this busy downtown area.

The future?

To continue to provide Ottawa with the very best service and pub atmosphere in the city.