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The OAH Story

French hospitality
in Tunbridge Wells

OAH brings together generous cooking, thoughtful service and ingredients inspired by the historic regions of France.

Founded
In the heart of Kent
The Venue

A house built for gathering

Once a place where people gathered for auctions, Old Auction House has long been at the centre of bringing people together. Today, it's home to our Brasserie & Bar, serving French-inspired comfort classics in a warm and welcoming setting — from relaxed dining to drinks, celebrations and private events.

Our Core Values

Simple, warm, seasonal

French-inspired comfort classics, good wines and a relaxed atmosphere — from breakfast to late evening.

The Provenance

Imported from France

Cheese, charcuterie, wines and pantry favourites are selected to keep the restaurant rooted in French flavour.

Our Heritage

A family of artisans

Old Auction House is built on a passion for quality food and French artisan tradition.

Founders Florent Gacon and Roberto Espinoza, originally from the Franche-Comté region of France, come from families of farmers and craftsmen where food has always been at the heart of their life.

Over 15 years ago, they began their journey at Borough Market in London, introducing carefully selected French delicacies to the UK. Today, their import business The French Comté supplies restaurants, hotels, and markets across the country.

The Houses

From market stall to dining room

In 2021, they opened the Old Auction House in Tunbridge Wells, bringing together UK favourites and exceptional French ingredients, from cheeses and charcuterie to wines, all sourced directly from France.

That same year, they launched La Petite France, now with three locations across Wadhurst and Tunbridge Wells, offering everything from artisan breads and pastries to cheeses, meats, and wines to enjoy at home or in a relaxed café setting.

Above all, Old Auction House is a welcoming, family-friendly space, a place to gather, celebrate, and enjoy great food together.

The Kitchen

Seasonal French cooking using the finest local and imported produce.

The Floor

Friendly, attentive service that makes every guest feel like family.

The Events

Private hire and celebrations tailored to your unique requirements.

The Team

The faces behind OAH

Paulo, Manager & DJ
PauloManager & DJ
Tony, Waiter
TonyWaiter
Callum, Waiter
CallumWaiter
Matisse, Waiter
MatisseWaiter
Arnor, Waiter
ArnorWaiter
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

All the answers in one place, across food, drinks, themed events, kids party, catering and private hire.

Do you cater for dietary requirements? ▾
Absolutely. We offer vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options. Please confirm any dietary requirements at least two weeks before your event.
Can we bring our own food? ▾
We do not allow personal catering, however feel free to share any bespoke requests with us, we will do our best to accommodate your needs. Birthday cakes are welcome.
Where do you source your ingredients? ▾
Key ingredients are imported directly from France, cheeses, charcuterie, wines and seasonal produce, with local suppliers for the rest.
Is the menu seasonal? ▾
Yes, the menu evolves with the seasons, with a strong French regional influence.
Do you have a wine list? ▾
Yes, an extensive list featuring imports from Burgundy, Bordeaux, Champagne and more.
Can I bring my own wine? ▾
A corkage policy applies. Contact us for details before bringing your own bottle.
Do you offer non-alcoholic options? ▾
A full range of mocktails, soft drinks, fresh juices and hot drinks is available.
Is there a dress code? ▾
Smart casual by default, specific themed evenings may have a dedicated dress code mentioned on the event page.
How do I buy pre-sale tickets? ▾
When an event is scheduled, a dedicated section appears on the Themed Events page with a direct link to our ticketing partner.
What is the cancellation policy? ▾
Tickets are generally non-refundable but can be transferred to another guest. Check the specific terms at purchase.
What is the minimum age? ▾
Our kids party packages are designed for children aged 3 and above.
Can we bring our own cake? ▾
Yes, plates and cutlery provided. Let us know in advance.
What add-ons can I rent? ▾
Red carpet, photo booth, floral arrangements and more. Ask our team for the full list.
What is the minimum number of guests? ▾
Best suited to medium and large events, contact us and we will advise based on your date, menu and location.
How far will you travel? ▾
Tunbridge Wells and nearby areas. Travel further afield may be available for an additional charge.
How far in advance should I book? ▾
We recommend at least 4–6 weeks in advance, especially for weddings and large corporate events.
Can I hire the whole restaurant? ▾
Yes, full exclusive use of the venue is available from 6pm with no hire fees and no minimum spend for parties over 50 people. Use the Private Hire enquiry form for a tailored quote.
How do we go ahead and book our event? ▾
A non-refundable deposit of £500 secures the venue and the date. The deposit can be used against any spend during the event (food, drinks, security, DJ, etc.). It is transferable to another date if you contact us at least 3 months prior to your event.
What time can we access the venue? ▾
We privatise the venue for your event from 6pm. Where possible we will try to offer earlier access to ensure plenty of time for set up and decorating.
What time does the music have to finish? ▾
Standard finish is 11pm for loud music and the bar, with the venue closing at midnight. A late licence is available for an additional £150, bar to 00:30 and music off at 1am.
Can we bring our own decorations? ▾
You are welcome to bring your own decorations. We just ask that nothing is tacked to the painted white wall by the kids' corner.
Can I bring my own DJ? ▾
Yes, your DJ/entertainment must provide a PAT testing certificate and public liability paperwork. Use of our equipment with an outside DJ/band: £250. Outside DJ/band without our equipment: £50. Our in-house DJ package (lights, sound, laser, smoke): £500.
Is there a minimum spend? ▾
No minimum spend for parties of 50+ guests. For smaller bookings, please enquire for specific details.
Opening hours

Open daily, lunch & dinner

Book a table
Monday12:00 – 23:00
Tuesday12:00 – 23:00
Wednesday12:00 – 23:00
Thursday12:00 – 23:00
Friday12:00 – 00:00
Saturday12:00 – 00:00
Sunday12:00 – 22:00
Kitchen closes 30 minutes before closing time. Themed events may have specific timings, see the Events page.

Come taste our story

French imports · Authentic flavours · Warm atmosphere

Address
Old Auction House, Linden Park Road
Tunbridge Wells, TN2 5QL
Join us
info@oldauctionhouse.uk 01892 341 366
Visit our sister companies
www.thefrenchcomte.co.uk www.petitefrance.co.uk
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🍽 Food
🍷 Drinks
🎭 Themed Events
🎈 Kids Party
🥘 Catering
🏛 Private Hire
Do you cater for dietary requirements? ▾
Absolutely. We offer vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options. Please mention any allergies or dietary needs when booking.
Where do you source your ingredients? ▾
We import key ingredients directly from France, cheeses, charcuterie, wines and seasonal produce. Everything else is sourced from trusted local suppliers.
Is the menu seasonal? ▾
Yes, our menu changes seasonally to reflect the freshest produce available, with a strong influence from French regional cuisine.
Do you have a wine list? ▾
Yes, we have an extensive wine list featuring French imports from Burgundy, Bordeaux, Champagne and more.
Can I bring my own wine? ▾
We have a corkage policy in place. Please contact us for details and pricing before bringing your own bottle.
Do you offer non-alcoholic options? ▾
Absolutely. We have a full range of mocktails, soft drinks, fresh juices, and hot drinks on our menu.
Is there a dress code? ▾
Dress codes vary by event, smart casual is the standard. Specific themed events may have a dress code mentioned on the event page.
How do I buy pre-sale tickets? ▾
When an event is scheduled, a dedicated section appears on the Themed Events page with a direct link to our ticketing partner.
What is the cancellation policy? ▾
Tickets are generally non-refundable but may be transferred to another guest. Please check the specific terms at the time of purchase.
What is the minimum age? ▾
Our kids party packages are designed for children aged 3 and above.
Can we bring our own cake? ▾
Yes, you are welcome to bring your own cake. We can provide plates and cutlery for serving. Let us know in advance.
What add-ons can I rent? ▾
We offer red carpet, photo booth, floral arrangements, and more. Ask our team for a full list when booking.
What is the minimum number of guests? ▾
Our catering service is best suited to medium and large events. Contact us and we will advise based on your date, menu and location.
How far will you travel? ▾
We cover Tunbridge Wells and nearby areas. Travel outside Tunbridge Wells may be available with an additional charge.
How far in advance should I book? ▾
We recommend booking at least 4–6 weeks in advance, especially for weddings and large corporate events.
Can I hire the whole restaurant? ▾
Yes, we offer full exclusive use of the venue. Contact us via the Private Hire enquiry form for a tailored quote.
Is there a minimum spend? ▾
Yes, a minimum spend applies. It varies depending on the day and duration. Please enquire for specific details.
Can I bring my own DJ? ▾
Outside entertainment is permitted subject to prior approval. We also have recommended suppliers available.
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