As a local, i have visited this pub on many occasions, mostly before the current owners took over sadly. There is absolutely no atmosphere at this pub and the staff are rude and unfriendly (especially the owner), she barely cracks a smile, and normally completely ignores you when you walk in, although its a pub your not allowed to stand at the bar and have a drink, in fact they have removed all the bar stools now to prevent you from doing this, your only welcome here if you book a table and sit down and eat, so no popping in for a couple of drinks if you fancy it, in fact i have actually seen the owner turn a family away because they had not booked a table, fair enough if your a restaurant, but they only wanted a drink, and this is soppose to be a pub. The last straw for me was when i took my parents in for a drink last year, the pub was busy, and we were asked if we had booked a table, when i replied no, i was told that we would have to take our drinks and sit i the garden, we wouldnt of minded had it been the summer, but it was March and freezing, we were told after we had bought our drinks, or we would of walked straight out, therefore we took our drinks, sat outside on the bench and quickly finished them, i have not been back since and dont intend to unless the place gets new owners. Speaking to other locals, it seems that they treat a lot of their customers this way, and quite a few people have stopped drinking here, if you want a few drinks surrounded by warm friendly staff, do not go to The Royal Oak in Stambridge.