The Mug and DJ visited the Royal Oak Hotel, North Fitzroy today, for our first outing as the MugPunter team.

The Oak is a great pub tab venue. It is 2 small, connected rooms with a central bar that offers 270 degree service access. Screens are plentiful and can be viewed from any position in the 2 rooms. Seating is a little light on, although we didn’t arrive until 3pm and were still able to snare a prime seating position. (No doubt we scored this from some early loser). Because it is small it has an intimate feel (never thought I’d use those words!!). There seemed to be a strong local element and I could see becoming a known face as a long term goal.

The crowd was a new one on me for a punting Saturday. Almost (but not quite) hip. The type of crowd that would be expected to flow on to the Empress or the old Punters Club (no pun intended) after a day on the punt. What I continue to be surprised by is the cash going over the counter. I always feel embarrassed laying the $3 win bets when the guy next to me is shelling out 50s - a form of penis envy no doubt. But it was extra surprising today for some reason - guys that looked like the type I used to normally see nursing a beer at some Brunswick St bar were making $200 bets as if it was nothing. Where’s the money come from?

The Oak’s not attached to any poker machine venue, which immediately adds a touch of class. Being in any kind of proximity to the machines lowers the tone of the establishment by a big factor. Real punters don’t want to be annoyed by any other form of gambling. The Oak steals ahead of most Melbourne venues just for this reason.

There is also no doubt a winning day helps. A couple of small tri’s (although I’m still ruing the last in Sydney, which we would no doubt have landed but I was dragged away by Mrs Mug) plus a few decent winners split between DJ and The Mug always improves the aspect. Topping it all off was that we were laying out the logic of our bets BEFORE the races and they were winning - a novel concept.

This is a venue that even the Noodle would attend. I would even venture that we could organise a social Saturday arvo drink there, invite a crew and almost (just almost) escape too much censure. All in all, a positive experience at The Oak.

So on to the ratings:

Tracky dacks - you must be kidding, this is Fitzroy North! Sartorial elegance the key today (and the Mug was dressed accordingly, having lunched on Brunswick St)

Taxi Drivers - just the one!! A very low rating, when comparing with the a staple venue like the Moreland

Smoke - a fair old waft on the walk in, although Mrs Mug did comment on the fact that the smoky smell was not as fierce as usual on my arrival home

Free Food - was prepared to let this category cover free food and deals on beer, but their were neither. The Mug is prepared to think that perhaps the free food was missed due to late arrival, but this will be reviewed at another session.

Oestrogen levels - a definite smattering of female punters here, once again well above the expected quotient. Even discussed punting with an older woman, who informed me that her target was first fours - ‘They’re addictive aren’t they, I landed one a few weeks ago and can’t stop betting on them’ - the gambler’s lament.

The Mug