Oakes Barn

A well-kept, old fashion, independent pub just outside of the main center in Bury St Edmunds. A sheltered drinking yard in front of the pub. Six cask ales and a few craft beers among the taps. Friendly service in cozy surroundings. (Visited with Finn 12.11.2021).

Cozy semi modern backstreet pub with 6 casks and 7 kegs.

Visited on 10/08 when I met up with SHIG. However I'd driven passed it earlier in the day and thought it looked an interesting little place. It's on what I'd term as a service road - it's been built at the rear of another building I presume. Somewhere between a pub and a micropub. Should probably be called Oakes Garage for accuracy. However internally it is a traditional pub style. Was pretty busy for a Tuesday at 18:30, with people sat inside and outside - although the crowd was thinner when I dropped in a few hours later on route back to our hotel. Something like 5 kegs and 5 casks (possibly more), all East Anglian. 5 new ticks for me from the likes Adnams, Grain, Woodfordes, Lacons, Mauldons and Bishop Nick. So decent for regional ticks even if the beers themselves were not overly exciting. Would be interested to know if that's the norm or if they get in beers from further afield as well. Friendly staff and warm atmosphere. Overall a decent pub.

An interesting bar it’s a barn not a traditional pub as we know it Provides entertainment most weekends and has a good selection of ales with several local guest beers

Finally got a chance to stop in on a Saturday I had time. Very interesting tap list for this area, good half dozen or more ciders, casks as well. The ambiance is very relaxing and nice to drink a cask ale or two. They also do flights so you can get your tick in.

Oakes Barn advertises itself as a freehouse and appears to operate as one; in the middle of Bury, here’s a pub with not a trace of you-know-who to be seen. The inside is quirky, friendly and oddly seems to have a maritime air (maybe that’s just my perception). Selection isn’t great, but isn’t bad either: five cask ales from the likes of Shortts, and about 5-6 bag in the box ciders. Keg and packaged beers not up to much though. One point: the doors are open to the patio, allowing smoke to drift in to the bar area. This may bother more smoke-sensitive people.

First visit - pre gig at the Apex. Good place, well kept beers, welcoming and polite service, nice ambiance about the place with everyone having good conversation without distraction of background music. Although visit was fairly brief looked to have a lot going on from notice board, didn’t partake in food by menu looked decent - definitely recommended and will visit again.

Community based real ale bar, serving 6 local beers from cask. Lots of activities going on in evenings