The Oak

St James's Street's got plenty of drinking options, but The Oak feels different: it's the sort of pub that doesn't try too hard and doesn't need to. You'll find yourself propping up the bar next to builders, artists, and people who've been coming here for years, all seemingly content with the simple formula. The place trades in proper cask ales, decent spirits, and an atmosphere that's genuinely convivial without feeling forced. It's Kemptown without the posturing—the neighbourhood's beating heart rather than its Instagram moment.