FOR ANYONE wondering where to watch the World Cup, the Royal Oak ticks all the boxes.

The spacious pub, in Damside, off Oakworth Road, Keighley - our Telegraph & Argus Pub of the Week - has so many TVs that everyone is sure to get a bird’s eye view of the excitement in Qatar.

“We have two TVs permanently outside and for the World Cup we will have five," says Paddy Gaskin, who has run the pub with wife Lisa since 2013. "Inside we have one big screen and two small screens behind the bar as well as seven flat screens - so you can see the games from wherever you are. People have already booked tables. It will be a great atmosphere.”

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: A bird's eye view of The Royal OakA bird's eye view of The Royal Oak

The pub shows live sporting action from channels including Sky Sports, BT Sports and Sky Sports HD.

And it’s not just football that fills the popular hostelry with sports fans. The pub airs a range of sports from cricket to rugby and golf.

“I can hold a conversation about most sports,” laughs Paddy, who is originally from Ireland and has managed pubs in Dublin and as far afield as Australia. He was assistant manager at The Royal Oak - part of the Timothy Taylor group - for a year before taking the helm.

“It was quite scary taking it on - it is yours and everything that happens is your decision. Running a pub can be challenging and very rewarding too.”

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: The barThe bar

Before it became part of their lives, Paddy and Lisa, who live in Haworth enjoyed drinking in the pub, which was refurbished in April 2020 and the previous year was voted Best Keighley pub by readers of The Keighley News.

With an impressive gazebo, the award-winning beer garden, which scooped an accolade at the UK Pub Garden Awards, is popular with customers.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: The spacious, sunny beer gardenThe spacious, sunny beer garden

“We have heaters outside, a permanent marquee and a structure with a retractable roof,” says Paddy.

There’s a pool table and darts board for those who want a little fun themselves while keeping an eye on the national and international games on TV.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: The pool table with big screen behindThe pool table with big screen behind

 

It’s not surprising that the pub - which sells a range of award-winning Tomothy Taylor ales - is a top choice with locals for events such as birthdays, weddings, christenings and funeral teas. “We have a lot of functions, and have the space to accommodate them,” says Paddy.

“We have a DJ on Friday and Saturday nights and on Friday we do karaoke as well.”

The pub is dog-friendly, with Paddy and Lisa’s bulldog Poppins putting in regular appearances.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Pub regular Poppins the bulldogPub regular Poppins the bulldog

“It’s a really friendly pub. It’s great for us to see people enjoying themselves,” adds Paddy.

*The Royal Oak, Damside, Off Oakworth Road, Keighley, BD21 1QD; royaloakkeighley.co.uk

*Would you like your pub to feature as Telegraph & Argus Pub of the Week? Get in touch with helen.mead@nqyne.co.uk or emma.clayton@nqyne.co.uk