The Oakdale is an honest suburban local run by the Milton Brewery, which also draws in real ale fans. There's usually half a dozen ales are on offer, mainly from the Milton range, along with 'real' ciders, Belgian beers and some great single malts.

A decent cross-section of locals are usually in place, all relieved to have a decent pub in an otherwise barren area. A Thursday quiz night, pool table and a simple food menu try to lure in the regulars, whilst excellent beer festivals - offering up to 30 ales and ciders - bring in the CAMRA members. However, our repeated visits has found the focus to be more on the beer than the atmosphere. The lighting is pretty harsh and the dˇcor still looks like a half-finished DIY project years after first opening - we assume its not going to change dramatically now. It has now become something of a menagerie too, with large tanks around the main room filled with lizards and the like. Unfortunately, our recent Saturday night visit found more reptiles than humans as it was perilously quiet in here. This probably explains why there was also only three ales on, if turnover is getting slow. Nonetheless, with the sword of Damocles perpetually hanging over the Oakdale (in the form of an approved application to turn it into flats) a trip here is worthwhile.

NEAREST STATION: Harringay Green Lanes station

FEATURES: Good choice of ales and cider, function room available, DJ, outdoor seating, pool table, Sky TV