Apr 29 2011

FactFinder at The Oaks – Australia’s Best Pool Hall?

My mates Ged and Mul insist that we start every trip with a Fact Finder.

Given a couple of hours to kill this week, Oliver and I went to the The Oaks at Neutral Bay to maintain this tradition.

The Oaks Hotel has been a landmark on Military Rd since 1885, although the eponymous Oak Tree that now dominates the enormous beer garden was not planted until 1935. Kathleen Furlong, the daughter of the publican, received it as a free bonus from Anthony Horden’s Dept Store for spending more than 10 pounds in one purchase. As Paul Kelly says, ‘From little things………’.

Apparently it is good luck to be hit by a falling acorn.

Upstairs we discovered a hidden gem. What would have previously been the accommodation floor has been renovated in 1930s style, with twelve restored rooms that each contain a pool table. It is all serviced by a magnificent art deco bar.

A perfect place for a quiet factfinder or two.