Albion, Hollybush Row
Morrell's Bitter
Quality of beer : * * * *
Value for money : * * * *
Atmosphere : * * *
Food : ?
Under new management, and a lot better than the old ones. Good beer, quite
cheap, and the atmosphere is quite cosy now.
SUMMER 03; rebranded as the Honeypot, a rather more trendy establishment with Hoogarden etc at a price.
Anchor , Polstead Rd / Bainton Rd
Adnam's Extra; Wadworth's 6X, Henry's IPA, Farmer's Glory
Quality of beer : * * * *
Value for money : * * *
Atmosphere : * * * *
Food : OK
Nice pub, quiet except on live music, quiz nights. Worth a walk to.
Angel & Greyhound , St Clements
Young's Bitter, Special
Quality of beer : * * *
Value for money : * * *
Atmosphere : * * *
Food : Good
Usually full of language students and arty types, but nice nonetheless. Plenty
of board games and bar billiards available.
Antiquity Hall , Hythe Bridge St
Wadworth 6X, Marstons Pedigree, Tetley
Quality of beer : * *
Value for money : * *
Atmosphere : * *
Food : ?
The time we went in the barman was wearing a truly horrible tie. Other than
that, we don't have much against it (or for it).
Bar Oz , Market St
Theakstons Best Bitter; John Smiths Bitter; Courage Best
Quality of beer : * *
Value for money : * *
Atmosphere : * *
Food : Barbie tucker, mate
Took over from the old Roebuck, which although wasn't exactly a salubrious
establishment, wasn't yet another plastic "theme" bar, as this is.
Big Sky screens, all day sport (sport, chuckle), crap fake Australian theme.
Some people like this sort of thing, apparently.
Bear , Alfred St
Tetley Bitter; Ind Coope Burton Ale
Quality of beer : * * * *
Value for money : * *
Atmosphere : * * * *
Food : ?
Small, central, busy, vast collection of ties on the walls.
Bell , Old High St
None
Quality of beer : *
Value for money : * *
Atmosphere : *
Food : ?
Not much going for it.
SUMMER 03: I think this might be closed…
Berkshire Ale House , Abingdon Rd / Vicarage Rd
Morrell's Bitter
Quality of beer : * *
Value for money : * *
Atmosphere : * *
Food : ?
Ah. Another one of these Olde Ale Houses, just like the old Fir Tree. Well at
least they have good beer.
Black Boy , Old High St
Morrell's Bitter, Varsity, Graduate
Quality of beer : * * * *
Value for money : * * *
Atmosphere : * *
Food : ?
Frequently in the GBG, but not really worth a long trip.
Black Swan , Crown St / St Marys Rd
Morrell's Bitter
Quality of beer : *
Value for money : * * *
Atmosphere : *
Food : None
Quiet back-street local, a step back to the 60's in terms of decor.Quiet for a
reason. Crap.
Blenheim , St Ebbes / Brewer St
Tetley Bitter; ABC Bitter
Quality of beer : * *
Value for money : * * * * *
Atmosphere : * * *
Food : ?
Quite nice, but the beer was a bit off the time I went.
Bookbinder's Arms , Victor St
Morrell's Bitter, Mild, Varsity
Quality of beer : * * * *
Value for money : * * *
Atmosphere : * * *
Food : ?
Another victim of the New Morrell's policy of turning every one of their old
pubs into a theme bar, but at least they have decent ales on tap.
Brewery Tap , Tidmarsh St
Morrell's Bitter, Varsity, Mild
Quality of beer : * *
Value for money : * * * *
Atmosphere : *
Food : ?
The brewery tap for Morrell's (funnily enough), but apparently they're trying
to sell it. Quiet and local most of the time.
Bricklayer's Arms , Church La
Wadworth's 6X, Henry's IPA, Farmer's Glory
Quality of beer : * * *
Value for money : * *
Atmosphere : * * * *
Food : ?
Nice decor, garden, live music, but a bit out of the way.
Britannia Inn , Lomdon Rd / Lime Walk
Tetley; John Smith's; Ind Coope Burton Ale
Quality of beer : * *
Value for money : * *
Atmosphere : *
Food : ?
Nothing special.
Bullingdon Arms , Cowley Rd
Tetley; John Smith's; Wadworth 6X
Quality of beer : * *
Value for money : * *
Atmosphere : * *
Food : None
Used to be a brilliant Irish pub, with live folk music. Now changed hands and
gone downhill; sets itself up as a "venue", but only succeeds in
being "crap". The only place yet found smokier than the James St
Tavern.
Butcher's Arms , Wilberforce St
Fuller's Chiswick, IPA, ESB
Quality of beer : * * * * *
Value for money : * * * *
Atmosphere : * * * *
Food : ?
Friendly local, regularly in the GBG and worth finding.Not particularly
studenty, but not overly local either, if you see what I mean...
Carpenter's Arms , Westway / Old Botley
Morrell's Bitter, Varsity; Bass IPA
Quality of beer : * *
Value for money : * *
Atmosphere : *
Food : OK
Really a Beefeater restaurant but with a Morrell's pub tacked on.
Castle Tavern , Paradise St / Castle St
Theakston's Best Bitter; Boddington's Bitter; guests
Quality of beer : * * *
Value for money : * *
Atmosphere : * * *
Food : ?
Good range of beers, but not exactly special.
Cavalier , Copse La / Eden Drive
Tetley Bitter
Quality of beer : * *
Value for money : * *
Atmosphere : *
Food : None
Friendly, Aunt Sally, but nothing special.One bar is totally devoted to sport
(watching it, that is), and has loads of completely irrelevant stuff like
American football gear stuck all over the walls. Alright.
Chequers (Headington) , Beaumont Rd / Quarry Hollow
Tetley Bitter
Quality of beer : * * *
Value for money : * *
Atmosphere : * *
Food : Good
Foody at lunchtime, busy in the evenings. Not bad.It's a Mr Q's pub, like the
Magdalen Arms on Iffley Road, but it's much, much nicer (not that that's saying
much).
Chequers (Osney) , Hollybush Row / St Thomas St
None
Quality of beer : *
Value for money : * *
Atmosphere : * *
Food : ?
Not exactly great. Note red pool table. Nice.
Chequers (centre) , High St
Wadworth's 6X; Marston's Pedigree; Tetley Bitter;
Quality of beer : * *
Value for money : *
Atmosphere : *
Food : Good
Quiet and foody at lunchtime, bit of a nightclub in the evening.
Chester Arms , Chester St
Tetley Bitter
Quality of beer : * * *
Value for money : * * *
Atmosphere : * *
Food : ?
Nothing special. Blue pool table is good, though.
SUMMER 03: Renovated and slightly trendy looking, though this is the best beer selection for a long way.
Coach & Horses , St Clements
Morrell's Bitter, Varsity;
Quality of beer : *
Value for money : * * *
Atmosphere : * *
Food : ?
Friendly local which can be very quiet or very noisy. You feel a bit out of
place not knowing all the regulars though.
SUMMER 03: gone!
Cock & Camel , George St / Gloucester St
Youngs Bitter;
Quality of beer :* * *
Value for money : * *
Atmosphere : * * *
Food : Plenty, and decent quality
Despite me going in here first on an off day, the pub's not bad if you like the
trendier kind of city centre establishments. Always busy, especially at
lunchtimes, and it aims for the continental-style approach (coffee and stuff).
Corner House , Hollow Way / Horspath Driftway
Banks's Bitter;
Quality of beer : * * *
Value for money : * * * *
Atmosphere : * * *
Food : ?
Good value Banks's pub; nice enough inside. Probably the best thing for quite a
way.
Cricketers Arms , Iffley Rd / Circus St
Morland's Bitter
Quality of beer : * *
Value for money : * * *
Atmosphere : *
Food : OK
Good jazz on Tuesdays and Sundays, bustling, smoky atmosphere the rest of the
time.
Crown , Cornmarket St
Charrington IPA; Bass IPA;
Quality of beer : * *
Value for money : * *
Atmosphere : * *
Food : ?
Not much to say about this one really. I suppose you could have a pint in here
while the wife does the shopping, if you've got one. A wife that is, not a
pint.
Crown & Thistle , Old Rd / Titup Hall Drive
Morrell's Bitter, Varsity
Quality of beer : * * *
Value for money : * *
Atmosphere : * * *
Food : ?
Looks better outside than in, but not bad really.
Dew Drop Inn (ho ho) , Banbury Rd
Courage Best; Theakston's Best Bitter;
Quality of beer : * *
Value for money : * * *
Atmosphere : * * *
Food : ?
A bit smoky, but by far the best pub in Summertown. I hasten to add that this
isn't saying much.
Donnington Arms , Howard St
Greene King IPA, Abbot
Quality of beer : * * * *
Value for money : * * *
Atmosphere : * * * *
Food : ?
Nice place, (fairly) recently done up.
Duke of Edinburgh , St Clements
Greene King IPA, Abbot
Quality of beer : *
Value for money : *
Atmosphere : *
Food : ?
Fairly dire.
SUMMER 03: again, has been renovated, and is quite trendy inside
Duke of Monmouth , Abingdon Rd / Sunningwell Rd
Greene King IPA; Abbot Ale; guest
Quality of beer : * * * *
Value for money : * * * *
Atmosphere : * * *
Food : Good
Perfectly pleasant and harmless pub, yet another which has fallen victim to the
Greene King expansionist policy. You'd think there was enough Lebensraum in
East Anglia.
Duke of York , Norfolk St
Morrell's Bitter, Varsity
Quality of beer : * *
Value for money : * *
Atmosphere : * *
Food : ?
Local, cavernous, not really worth it. Not bad considering it's in a car park.
Eagle , Hurst St / Magdalen Rd
Arkell's Bitter
Quality of beer :* *
Value for money :* *
Atmosphere :*
Food : ?
Newly reopened after a long and rather decrepit closure. Bit quiet, and
Arkell's isn't the best.
Eagle & Child , St Giles
Wadworth's 6X; Ind Coope Burton Ale; Tetley Bitter
Quality of beer : * * *
Value for money : * *
Atmosphere : * *
Food : Good
Christ, if one more person goes on about Tolkien and CS Lewis getting beered up
together in here, I shall ensure that they meet them personally in the next
life. It's OK, but I don't really like it that much. Just an opinion.
Elm Tree , Cowley Rd / Jeune St
Morrell's Bitter, Varsity
Quality of beer : *
Value for money : * * * *
Atmosphere : * * *
Food : ?
Where the live music has moved to from the Bullingdon Arms. Wednesdays and
Sundays are best. Cheap (and usually good) Guinness on Monday nights; don't
touch the Morrell's.
Exeter Hall , Oxford Rd / Marsh St
Morrell's Bitter
Quality of beer : *
Value for money : * *
Atmosphere : *
Food : ?
Dire, but worth going in just to see the pink Regency wallpaper.
Fairview , Glebelands / Coverley Rd
Morrell's Bitter, Varsity
Quality of beer : * * *
Value for money : * * *
Atmosphere : * * *
Food : ?
Average, and in a highly obscure part of Oxford
Fishes Inn , North Hinksey
Morrell's Bitter, Mild, Varsity, Graduate; guest
Quality of beer : * * * * *
Value for money : * * * *
Atmosphere : * * * * *
Food : Good
Excellent food, conservatory, fire, whatever, and a really nice setting.
Folly Bridge Inn , Abingdon Rd / Whitehouse Rd
Wadworth's 6X, Henry's IPA, Farmer's Glory; Theakston's Best Bitter
Quality of beer : * * * *
Value for money : * * *
Atmosphere : * * * *
Food : Good
Busy but relaxed lounge, good food, and a patio in summer.
Fox & Hounds , Abingdon Rd / Weirs La
Morrell's Bitter, Varsity
Quality of beer : *
Value for money : *
Atmosphere : *
Food : OK
Really a Beefeater. Go there if you liked the Carpenters on Westway!
Friar , Marston Rd / Old Marston Rd
Arkell's
Quality of beer : *
Value for money : * *
Atmosphere : *
Food : ?
Local, garden OK but nothing special. Beer shite.
Friar Bacon , Elsfield Way / Jackson Rd
Morrells Bitter, Varsity
Quality of beer : *
Value for money : * * *
Atmosphere : *
Food : ?
Dire. And sodding miles out.
SUMMER 03: this one’s gone as well, turned into flats
Fuggle & Firkin , Gloucester Green/ Red Lion Square
Adnam's; Wadworth 6X; guest
Quality of beer : * * **
Value for money : * * *
Atmosphere : * * *
Food : Reasonable selection, but not the cheapest.
Not bad, if you like Firkin pubs. They now serve non-Firkin beers, which are
actually quite good.
SUMMER 03: renamed the ‘Goose on Gloucester Green’ or something. Lush people, but the beer’s cheap and quite varied, a little bit like a Wetherspoons.
Gardener's Arms (North Parade) , North Parade
Morrell's Bitter, Varsity;
Quality of beer : * * **
Value for money : * *
Atmosphere : * * *
Food : Yes, quite nice
A nice little pub on North Parade that's busier than you'd expect.
Gardener's Arms (Plantation Rd) , Plantation Rd
Morrell's Bitter, Varsity, Mild;
Quality of beer : * * * *
Value for money : * * *
Atmosphere : * * * * *
Food : ?
A frequent GBG contender, known for its busy atmosphere with a mix of students
and locals. Great sofas.
SUMMER 03: the sofas have gone.
General Elliot , Manor Rd, South Hinksey
Morrell's Bitter;
Quality of beer : * * *
Value for money : * * *
Atmosphere : * *
Food : ?
Pleasant enough pub in South Hinksey; the garden is quite nice in summer.
George , Westway / Botley Bridge
Morrell's Bitter;
Quality of beer : *
Value for money : * * *
Atmosphere : * *
Food : ?
One of the westward outposts of civilisation, but not really worth the bike
ride. I didn't see any civilisation inside the pub when I was there.
Globe , Cranham St
Morrell's Bitter, Varsity;
Quality of beer : * * *
Value for money : * * * *
Atmosphere : * **
Food : Cheap.
Quiet local, but not unfriendly. Just been done up and under new management;
they do cheap food and drink at times.
Gloucester Arms , Friars Entry
Tetley Bitter; Marston's Pedigree; Burton's; guest
Quality of beer : * * * *
Value for money : * *
Atmosphere : * * * *
Food : Cheap
Great pub this. No students, with a brilliant loud jukebox, as pubs should
have. The food is as cheap as the Radcliffe Arms, and the beer's always great.
Grandpont Arms , Edith Rd
None
Quality of beer : *
Value for money : *
Atmosphere : *
Food : ?
Something out of the 70's that should have been left there. I sat there for 15
minutes drinking my pint, and I was the _only_ person in the pub apart from an
extremely bored-looking landlady. Very crap.
SUMMER 03: unsurprisingly, this has gone, which is a shame
Grapes , George St
Morrell's Bitter, Varsity
Quality of beer : * **
Value for money : * * *
Atmosphere : * * **
Food : ?
This pub is quite arty, being opposite the Apollo, but it's nice and dark and
cosy, and quite pleasant.
Half Moon , The Plain / St Clements
Greene King IPA, Abbot
Quality of beer : * * * *
Value for money : * * *
Atmosphere : * * *
Food : ?
Small, quietish pub with more than a hint of the Irish. The Greene King can be
excellent sometimes.
Harcourt Arms , Cranham Terr
Fuller's Chiswick, London Pride, ESB, Mr Harry
Quality of beer : * * * * *
Value for money : *
Atmosphere : * * * *
Food : Good
Fuller's pub that deserves to be a lot busier than it is. Good value basic
lunches. Go there, especially if the RA is full.
Head of the River , Folly Bridge / Abingdon Rd
Fuller's Chiswick, London Pride, ESB
Quality of beer : * * * *
Value for money : * *
Atmosphere : * *
Food : Nice, but not cheap.
Good during Bumps, but a bit deserted the rest of the time.
Hobgoblin , St Aldates
Wychwood selection; guest;
Quality of beer : * * * *
Value for money : * * * *
Atmosphere : * * *
Food : Yes
New as of October 98, this replaces the old Bulldog, and as far as I could see,
for the better. Kind of Firkin-esque decor, but better, in my humble opinion.
Good jukebox selection, wide variety of real ales, and £1.50 for a pint can't
be bad
Hobgoblin , Cowley Rd / Bullingdon Rd
Wychwood Shire, Fuller's London Pride, Adnam's, Wadworth 6X
Quality of beer : * * * *
Value for money : * * * *
Atmosphere : * * *
Food : ?
Another Wychwood Hobgoblin in town, this one replaces the old Ampney Cottage
and latterly South Park. It's been completely redone inside with a view to
being a bit of a trendy Nitespot(TM); DJ's in the evenings, lots of nice wood
etc. It's actually very nice inside, and has one of the best selections of beer
around.
Horse & Jockey , Woodstock Rd / St Bernards Rd
Morrell's Bitter ?
Quality of beer : * *
Value for money : * *
Atmosphere : * * *
Food : ?
Better than it was, but probably not worth the trek unless you live at St.
Annes. The nickname Horse and Seccy probably tells you a bit about the
clientele.
SUMMER 03: gone, turned into yuppie flats
Isis Tavern , Iffley Lock
Morrell's Bitter, Varsity
Quality of beer : * * * *
Value for money : *
Atmosphere : * * * *
Food : ?
Good beer, but pricey. Excellent for watching the start of Torpids and Eights;
bar billiards.
Jack Russell , Salford Rd / The Link
Morland's Bitter, IPA
Quality of beer : * *
Value for money : * *
Atmosphere : * *
Food : ?
Looks horrendous on the outside, like the pub in Trainspotting, but quaintly
redolent of the 70's inside. May well have old boys playing dominoes inside.
James St Tavern , James St
Greene King IPA; Abbot Ale; Old Speckled Hen
Quality of beer : * * *
Value for money : * **
Atmosphere : * * * *
Food : OK
Sadly the Morlands has gone, but Greene King's OK. Fully of trendy Brookes
types, can get a bit smoky, but a good enough place to find Sky TV.
Jolly Farmers , Paradise St
Tetley Bitter; Bass IPA
Quality of beer : *
Value for money : *
Atmosphere : * * *
Food : ?
The noticeably all-male clientele gives away the fact that this is the gay pub
for the town centre. I'd recommend it for atmos and friendliness, but when we
went there _all_ the real ales had gone off - so a black spot.
Jolly Postboys , Florence Park Rd
Morrell's Bitter
Quality of beer : * *
Value for money : * *
Atmosphere : * *
Food : ?
Pleasant enough pub in Florence Park, but nothing special.
Jude the Obscure , Walton St
Morrell's Bitter, Mild, Varsity
Quality of beer : * * * *
Value for money : * * *
Atmosphere : * * * *
Food : OK
Replaces the old Prince of Wales, which was reckoned to be about the worst pub
in Oxford. It's quite good now, with decent beer, and the landlord is mad,
which is always a good sign.
King of Prussia , Rose Hill
Morrell's Bitter; guest
Quality of beer : * * *
Value for money : * *
Atmosphere : *
Food : ?
Not much going for it, apart from the collection of ancient songs on the
jukebox. Call me old, but...
King's Arms (Summertown) , Banbury Rd / Grove St
ABC Bitter;Adnams's; Boddingtons
Quality of beer : * * *
Value for money : * *
Atmosphere : * *
Food : ?
Modern, but older than most of the clientele. Surprisingly, the beer was
actually quite good, and they were most apologetic when the Adnam's was off.
SUMMER 03: has become part of the Chinglish chain ‘Dancing Dragon’, a Jim Thompsons clone
King's Arms (centre) , Parks Rd / Holywell St
Young's Bitter, Special; Wadworth 6X
Quality of beer : * * *
Value for money : * * * *
Atmosphere : * * * * *
Food : Good
Studenty at the front, local at the back. Extremely popular, open all day.
Kite Inn , Mill St / Russell St
Morrell's Bitter, Varsity
Quality of beer : * * *
Value for money : * * *
Atmosphere : * *
Food : ?
Back-street local just down from the station. If you're waiting for a train,
it's miles better than the White House.
Lamb & Flag , St Giles / Lamb & Flag Passage
Fuller's London Pride; Boddingtons; Greene King IPA; Brakspeare's Bitter; guest
Quality of beer : * *
Value for money : * * *
Atmosphere : * * * *
Food : ?
I don't know. Once an Oxford legend, and now half the pub it was. Despite the
wide selection of beers, they _still_ manage to make most of them taste bad.
Perhaps this has something to do with them having a staff turnover of about 2 a
week, most of whom do not understand what bitter is. Especially that git who
pretends to be "spaced" the whole time.
Longwall , Garsington Rd
Marston's Bitter; Boddington's Bitter; others
Quality of beer : * *
Value for money : * *
Atmosphere : *
Food : Beefeater!
This is really a Beefeater restaurant. The beer is just about OK, but I can't
think why anyone would go here just to drink.
Magdalen Arms , Iffley Rd / Magdalen Rd
Tetley Bitter; Ind Coope Burton Ale
Quality of beer : *
Value for money : *
Atmosphere : *
Food : ?
This is a pool club with Sky TV, not a pub as far as I am concerned.
Marlborough House , Marlborough Rd / Western Rd
Tetley Bitter; Ind Coope Burton Ale; ABC Bitter
Quality of beer : * * * *
Value for money : * * *
Atmosphere : * * *
Food : ?
Two-room local, also popular with students. Pool room upstairs. Quite informal,
if you fancy something a bit more up-market go to the Folly Bridge Inn round
the corner.
Marsh Harrier , Marsh Rd
Fuller's Chiswick, IPA, ESB
Quality of beer : * * * * *
Value for money : * * * *
Atmosphere : * * * * *
Food : ?
Another Fuller's GBG regular, superb.
Mason's Arms , Quarry School Place
None
Quality of beer : * *
Value for money : * *
Atmosphere : * *
Food : ?
The old entry said "dire", but when I went it was stacked with locals
watching Oxford play Portsmouth, and they seemed friendly enough. In fact, one
old bloke bought me a pint, so it was a definite plus. Saying that, you need a
GPS to find the place.
Mitre , High St / Turl St
Bass IPA; Tetley Bitter; Ind Coope Burton Ale
Quality of beer : * *
Value for money : *
Atmosphere : *
Food : OK
Really a Beefeater restaurant, with not much to say for it, except for Geolsoc
Christmas dinners.
Nelson , Between Towns Rd / Cowley Centre
Tetley Bitter
Quality of beer : *
Value for money : * *
Atmosphere : *
Food : ?
Large, cavernous, not a friendly place.Yet another Mr Q's.
New Inn , Cowley Rd / Princes St
Bass IPA; Tetley Bitter; Ind Coope Burton Ale
Quality of beer : *
Value for money : * *
Atmosphere : *
Food : ?
Townie meat market. Don't bother.
SUMMER 03: renamed the Corridor with bouncers outside and trendy people on the inside
Nuffield Arms , Littlemore Rd / Bartholomew Rd
John Smith's Bitter
Quality of beer : *
Value for money : * *
Atmosphere : *
Food : ?
Don't bother.
O'Neill's , George St / New Inn Hall St
Bass Bitter
Quality of beer : * * *
Value for money : * *
Atmosphere : *
Food : Good, and lots.
The Bass is good, the Guinness is better, but the fake Irish decor is terrible.
Old Ale House , Iffley Rd / Bullingdon Rd
Morrell's Bitter, Varsity; Hook Norton, Fuller's London Pride
Quality of beer : * * * *
Value for money : * * *
Atmosphere : * * *
Food : Good
I was a bit worried when this took over from the Fir Tree, but it seems that my
fears were misplaced. Apart from a decor change (lots of the usual bollocks
paraphernalia), there's still plenty of good real ale and food. I don't think
there'll be too many folk evenings from now on, though...
SUMMER 03: reverted to the Fir Tree. Less beer available as a result of Greene King policy.
Old School House , Gloucester Green
Greene King IPA, Abbot, Black Baron
Quality of beer : **
Value for money : *
Atmosphere : * * *
Food : Good
Rather trendy. The beer is variable at best. Quieter lunchtimes and early
evening, turns into a nightclub at weekends.
Old Tom , St Aldates
Morrell's Bitter, Varsity, Mild
Quality of beer : * * * * *
Value for money : * * * *
Atmosphere : * * * * *
Food : Good
Another GBG regular, small, friendly and central.
Original Swan , Oxford rd / Between Towns Rd
None
Quality of beer :
Value for money :
Atmosphere :
Food : ?
Cobblers. There is no beer, no atmosphere, and nothing attractive whatsoever
about this place.
Osney Arms , Botley Rd / Hillview Rd
Greene King IPA, Abbot
Quality of beer : * * *
Value for money : * * *
Atmosphere : * *
Food : ?
Friendly local, good juke box but otherwise mediocre.
Oxford Blue , Marston St
Tetley Bitter; John Smith's Bitter
Quality of beer : * *
Value for money : * *
Atmosphere : * *
Food : ?
Popular with noisy and obnoxious Brooks students, and a bit pricey.
Perch , Binsey La
Various
Quality of beer : * * *
Value for money : * *
Atmosphere : * * * * *
Food : Good
Nice atmos, superb food, can be hard to get a seat for Sunday lunch. A place to
take the parents or to walk out to across Port Meadow. Rumoured to have been done
over since the last visit
Philanderer & Firkin , Walton St / Jericho St
Firkin Philanderer, Thesis, etc
Quality of beer : * * *
Value for money : * * *
Atmosphere : * * *
Food : OK
Large-ish Firkin pub, close to the Phoenix and lots of curry houses, deservedly
popular. Low-key live music sometimes, but not quite the Jericho Tavern that it
used to be years ago.
SUMMER 03: oh, it’s now one of those scream pubs, called the Jericho. No beer.
Philospher & Firkin , Cowley Rd / Magdalen Rd
Firkin Philospher, Thesis, etc
Quality of beer : * * *
Value for money : * * * *
Atmosphere : * *
Food : ?
A lot better than the University and City Arms was on this site, but a bit
overpopulated with youths (if you know what I mean).
SUMMER 03: as above, now called the City Arms
Plasterer's Arms , Marston St / Cherwell St
Morrell's Bitter, Varsity
Quality of beer : * * *
Value for money : * * *
Atmosphere : * * * *
Food : ?
Friendly local at the end of St. Clements, quite Irish. Small but snug lounge
bar.
Plough , Wolvercote Green
Morrell's Bitter, Varsity
Quality of beer : * * *
Value for money : * * *
Atmosphere : * * * * *
Food : Good
The decor is a bit overdone, maybe it will tone down. However the food is
excellent, the beer is good, and you can go train or canal boat spotting on the
front lawn (if you must).
Port Mahon Ale House, St Clements / Jeune St
Morrell's Bitter, Varsity
Quality of beer : * * * *
Value for money : * * *
Atmosphere : **
Food : ?
Yes, another Ale House. Saying that, there has to be an improvement in the
standard of beer from before.
Prince of Ales (Cowley Rd) , Cowley Rd / Temple St
Morrell's Bitter, Mild, Varsity
Quality of beer : * * *
Value for money : * * *
Atmosphere : * * *
Food : None
A remarkably subtle pun in the name to differentiate it from the old place.
SUMMER 03: closed, now a Mexican eatery.
Prince of Wales (Iffley) , Church Way
Wadworths 6X, Henry's IPA, Farmer's Glory; several guests
Quality of beer : * * * * *
Value for money : * * *
Atmosphere : * * * *
Food : Good
Real Ale festivals on the last weekend of the month, with at least half a dozen
guest beers. Worth the trek.
Prince of Wales (Temple Cowley) , Horspath Rd / Brasenose Driftway
Morrell's Bitter
Quality of beer : * *
Value for money : * *
Atmosphere : *
Food : ?
Busy local; fair enough but not worth a detour.
Quarry Gate , Warton Rd / St Leonard's Rd
Tetley Bitter
Quality of beer : * *
Value for money : * *
Atmosphere : *
Food : ?
Big garden; bar billiards; but not up to much. In fact, when I went on a Sunday
afternoon, it was horrible, and I'm pretty tolerant of pubs.
Queen's Arms , Kelburne Rd / Church Hill Rd
Tetley Bitter; Wadworth's 6X; Webster's Bitter
Quality of beer : *
Value for money : * *
Atmosphere : *
Food : ?
Poor. Could be good, as it's in a nice old building, but it's horrible, with
crap beer.
Radcliffe Arms , Cranham Terr / Cranham St
Marston's Pedigree; Tetley Bitter; Burton's; Morland's Old Speckled Hen
Quality of beer : * * * **
Value for money : * * * *
Atmosphere : * * * * *
Food : Good and very cheap
Legendary pub for lunch, but it's great at any time; without a doubt an Oxford
classic. Good jukebox.
Red Lion (Old Marston) , Oxford Rd
Morland's Bitter, Independent IPA, Master Brewer's
Quality of beer : * * *
Value for money : * *
Atmosphere : * *
Food : ?
Quiet locals' pub in Old Marston, but better than the Three Horse Shoes or the
White Hart.
Red Lion (Wolvercote) , Godstow Rd / Mill Rd
Tetley Bitter; Whitbread Flowers
Quality of beer : * * * *
Value for money : * * *
Atmosphere : * * *
Food : ?
Friendly landlord, good pint of Tetley's but don't touch the Flowers.
Rendezvous , Pennyfarthing Place
Morrell's Bitter
Quality of beer : * * *
Value for money : * * *
Atmosphere : * *
Food : None
A half-decent pint of Morrell's, shame about the location. Saying that, there
was no Morrell's on when I went in, only Guinness. Used to be the Parrott, and
it seems they're after the same trendy (!) folk. Who like it round the back of
Sainsburys.
Rose & Crown , North Parade
Adnam's; Ind Coope Burton Ale
Quality of beer : * * * *
Value for money : * *
Atmosphere : * * *
Food : Good
Interesting heaters in the back garden. Justly famed for the food (and the
landlord), but a good pint of Adnam's too. This pub's grown on me a bit,
actually, but's it's too expensive.
Rosie O'Grady's , Park End St / Worcester St
None
Quality of beer : * * * *
Value for money : *
Atmosphere : * * *
Food : Good
Irish pub, no beer but good Guinness, if you're prepared to pay £2.45 a pint.
Live Irish folk music regularly. Good for the station. Was previously the
Queen's Arms.
Royal Oak , Woodstock Rd
Wadworth's 6X; Tetley Bitter; Burton's
Quality of beer : * * * *
Value for money : * *
Atmosphere : * * * *
Food : OK
Large pub with many small sections. Overpriced in my opinion. Unusually
Scottish, especially for Sky Sports.
Royal Standard , London Rd / New High St
Morrell's Bitter, Varsity, etc
Quality of beer : * * *
Value for money : * *
Atmosphere : * **
Food : Good Sunday lunch
Quite nice, actually.
Seven Stars , Lake St
Morrell's Bitter, Varsity
Quality of beer : * * *
Value for money : * *
Atmosphere : * * * *
Food : ?
Eccentric, but friendly local. Constructed out of someone's front room.
SUMMER 03: sadly, this is closed
Shelley Arms , Cricket Rd
Morrell's Bitter, Varsity
Quality of beer : * *
Value for money : * *
Atmosphere : * * *
Food : ?
Friendly local.
Six Bells , Beaumont Rd / Spring La
Morrell's Bitter, Varsity, Mild
Quality of beer : * * * *
Value for money : * * *
Atmosphere : * * *
Food : ?
Friendly local, but not worth the trek really.
Somerset , Marston Rd / Ferry Rd
Banks' Bitter, Mild; guest
Quality of beer : * * * * *
Value for money : * * * * *
Atmosphere : * * * *
Food : ?
Nice place.
Star, Rectory Rd
Courage Best; Tetley Bitter
Quality of beer : *
Value for money : * *
Atmosphere : * * *
Food : ?
Trendy back-street pub. Cheap beer on Mondays and Tuesdays, but it's expensive
otherwise and tastes awful all of the time.
Temple Bar , Temple St
Wadworth's 6X, Henry's IPA, Farmer's Glory
Quality of beer : * *
Value for money : * * *
Atmosphere : * *
Food : OK
Used to be good, now a bit run down.Has quite an indie feel to it, probably
because of all the music flyers on the walls.
The Pub Oxford , Iffley Rd / Cowley Rd
Bass Bitter; Worthington Bitter; Morland's Old Speckled Hen; guest
Quality of beer : * *
Value for money : * *
Atmosphere : * * *
Food : ?
Loud, fairly trendy, mix of students and townies, one of those "It's a
scream" pubs (oh, stop it). A bit pricey. Shame about the crap name, it
was much better when it was the Hobgoblin.
Three Goat's Heads , St Michael St
Sam Smith's OBB, Museum Ale
Quality of beer : * * * *
Value for money : * * * * *
Atmosphere : * * * * *
Food : ?
Cheapest beer in central Oxford, good (but crowded) quiz nights on Wednesdays.
Three Horse Shoes , Oxford Rd
Morrells Bitter
Quality of beer : *
Value for money : * * *
Atmosphere : * *
Food : ?
Quiet locals' pub in Old Marston. However, it's the only time I've ever come
across 6X on keg, and it was well dodgy. You just can't do things like that.
Tree Hotel , Church Way
Morrell's Bitter, Varsity
Quality of beer : * *
Value for money : * *
Atmosphere : * * *
Food : ?
Really a hotel but open to non-residents. Nothing special.
Trout , Godstow Rd
Charrington IPA; Bass IPA; guest
Quality of beer : * *
Value for money : *
Atmosphere : * * *
Food : OK
Overpriced food in the restaurant, mediocre bar food out the back. It's quite
nice to sit by the river and watch the peacocks in summer though.
Turf Tavern , Bath Place
Archer's Golden; Marston's Pedigree; Flower's Original; 4-5 others
Quality of beer : * * * * *
Value for money : * **
Atmosphere : * * * *
Food : Very Good
Pricey, but with good atmosphere and a wide range of beers all the time. Great
for contracting hypothermia whilst sitting outside on those cold winter nights,
cos there's no room inside.
Turl Bar , Turl St
various
Quality of beer : * * *
Value for money : * * *
Atmosphere : * * *
Food : ?
Round the back of the Mitre. Regular jazz sessions, quiet the rest of the time.
CD _and_ video jukebox no less.
Victoria , Walton St / St Bernards Rd
Banks' Mild, Bitter
Quality of beer : * * * *
Value for money : * * * *
Atmosphere : * *
Food : ?
Cheapish beer, although I'm informed that the emphasis on Sky Sports is
spoiling the atmosphere. Good ceiling.
Victoria Arms , Mill La
Wadworth's 6X, Henry's IPA, Farmer's Glory; guests
Quality of beer : * * * *
Value for money : * *
Atmosphere : * * * * *
Food : Good
Decor a bit overdone inside, food looks good and beer is OK. Superb garden
going down to the Cherwell where you can moor your punt. If you've punted all
this way, you deserve a beer.
Walter Mitty's , Bridge St
Morland's Bitter, Independent IPA
Quality of beer : * * * *
Value for money : * * *
Atmosphere : * * * * *
Food : ?
Good beer; lots of interesting interior decorations hanging from the ceiling;
good atmosphere. Just check out the Monopoly board round the ceiling with
Oxford streets on it.
SUMMER 03: renamed the Holly Bush, for some reason
Waterman's Arms , East St / South St
Morland's Bitter, Independent IPA
Quality of beer : ** *
Value for money : * * * *
Atmosphere : * *
Food : ?
Quite a nice setting next to the river, OK really.
Wharf House , Butterwyke Place / Thames St
4-5 guests
Quality of beer : * * * * *
Value for money : * * * *
Atmosphere : *
Food : ?
The old entry read simply 'Utterly dire'. Now it has been taken over by a CAMRA
buff: the beer is excellent, with interesting guests, but the atmosphere is
still 'Utterly dire'.
Wheatsheaf , High St / Wheatsheaf Yard
Boddingtons; Marston's Pedigree
Quality of beer : * * *
Value for money : * *
Atmosphere : * *
Food : ?
Well-hidden town centre pub, pleasant enough.
White Hart (Old Headington) , St Andrew's Rd
Tetley Bitter; ABC Bitter; guests
Quality of beer : * * *
Value for money : * * *
Atmosphere : * * *
Food : ?
Busy Old Headington pub, not bad if you live nearby.Nice old stone building.
White Hart (Old Marston) , Oxford Rd
Morrell's Bitter, Varsity
Quality of beer : * * *
Value for money : * * *
Atmosphere : * * *
Food : ?
Another quiet locals' pub in Old Marston. This one's got lots of oak beams and
stone walls and the like, with restaurant attached. It seemed very nice.
White Hart (Wolvercote) , Godstow Rd / Mill Rd
Fuller's ESB, London Pride;
Quality of beer : * * *
Value for money : * * *
Atmosphere : * * *
Food : ?
OK, but there are better Fuller's pubs closer to town. Locals very fond of Aunt
Sally - when we went they were having an 'away' match with the Red Lion next
door.
White Hart (Wytham) , Godstow Rd
ABC Bitter; Tetley Bitter; guests
Quality of beer : * * * * *
Value for money : * * *
Atmosphere : * * * * *
Food : Good
Outside the ring road, but well worth the trip. Excellent food (esp the salad
bar and the BBQs), nice old pub (though done up) with good atmosphere.
SUMMER 03: Bistro style now, but proper beer is still available
White Horse (Headington) , London Rd / Headley Way
Morrell's Bitter, Varsity
Quality of beer : * * *
Value for money : * *
Atmosphere : * * * *
Food : ?
Large, popular with Brookes student, not bad.
White Horse (centre) , Broad St
Tetley Bitter; Ind Coope Burton Ale
Quality of beer : * * *
Value for money : * *
Atmosphere : * * * *
Food : ?
Small, popular with Trinity rugger-buggers and the like, but quite nice.
White House , East St / South St
Wadworth 6X; Tetley
Quality of beer : *
Value for money : * *
Atmosphere : * *
Food : ?
Replaces the old Gatehouse, and I suppose it's a bit more salubrious, but I
hate this sort of place. Restaurant at one end, modern bar at other, with
blinds and adverts for cheap cocktails. Probably dead sophisticated to people
who like Yates Wine Lodge.
Wig & Pen , George St
Tetley Bitter; ABC Bitter; Theakston's Bitter; guest
Quality of beer : * * *
Value for money : * * * *
Atmosphere : * *
Food : ?
Large, good beer discounts sometimes, but vacuous. Unlikely to let geologists
back in after our Christmas dinner.
Woodstock Arms , Woodstock Rd
Morrell's Bitter, Varsity
Quality of beer : * *
Value for money : * *
Atmosphere : *
Food : ?
Quiet (almost deathly) local. Full of old people, but nice enough.
Yates Wine Lodge , George St
Boddingtons Bitter; Courage Directors Bitter
Quality of beer : * * *
Value for money : * * *
Atmosphere : * *
Food : Lots, and it's not bad
Before I slag this place off, I shall at least say that at least they do have
some proper beer in there. Right. I mean, what the hell is a "wine
lodge" anyway? Townie bloody poncy tacky nightclub impersonations at
weekends, harmless , characterless and manufactured enough the rest of the
time. I got refused entry one Friday night because I was wearing trainers.
That's not my definition of a pub.