Good pubs in Oxford
Author
Discussion

gbbird

Original Poster:

5,197 posts

274 months

Wednesday 7th September 2005
quotequote all
Hello all,

Am away on a stag weekend in Oxford this weekend. Never been there before, so was just wondering if anyone could recommend some good pubs/bars in the centre. Nothing too poncy or nightclubby, but something quite lively with some nice ladies would be nice. Also, any good restaurants we should know about?

RossMac

856 posts

271 months

Wednesday 7th September 2005
quotequote all
gbbird said:
Hello all,

Am away on a stag weekend in Oxford this weekend. Never been there before, so was just wondering if anyone could recommend some good pubs/bars in the centre. Nothing too poncy or nightclubby, but something quite lively with some nice ladies would be nice. Also, any good restaurants we should know about?


Try and end up at the Elm Tree ..... if you want a pint and fight with the underclass. As for ladies - that's a polite term for them

timmy30

9,325 posts

257 months

Wednesday 7th September 2005
quotequote all
Oxford isn't over supplied with Clubs anyway.

For excellent real ales and a nice atmos try the Turf early on, it takes some finding as it's down an alley, but gets crowded later on. Or if you want a mega strong monster cocktail to rev things up try Freuds up on Walton Street....ah memories.

Now depending on what kind of gents you are Oxford is broadly split along these lines, the High Street has a number of nice 'All Bar One' type places all along it, they're all much the same. The Turl on Catte St just off the high street is pretty lively.

George Street on the other hand is the more, careful here Timmy, downmarket/rougher one but it's also where there's more skirt generally. Again alot of large samey bar/pub/eatery places.

In the central Uni area you'll find 3 old favourites, The Kings Head, The Lamb and Flag and the Eagle and Child, all very good pubs IMO.

Listen as Oxford is a pub town I'd make it something of a pub crawl. Not wanting to org your staggie for you but say.

Turf
Kings Head
Lamb and Flag
Eagle and Child
Three Goats Heads
Turl Bar

Then if you want to finnish off with a club, try Park End which is a club on Park End Street.

Oh and it's always worth visiting Achmeds Kebab van on the High Street once your p*ssed enough, I used to get regular terms there

clintster

57 posts

283 months

Wednesday 7th September 2005
quotequote all
I'd add The Bear but remove Three Goats Heads (used to be good but now no real ale)

Harry Flashman

21,840 posts

272 months

Wednesday 7th September 2005
quotequote all
What Clintster said. Park End good for a stag night, but it's an awful club; all clubs in Oxford are. Freud's a better bet for drinking and eye-candy, although no real dancing and not exactly a pulling joint unless during termtime (and I reckon we're all a bit old for that now...)

timmy30

9,325 posts

257 months

Wednesday 7th September 2005
quotequote all
Harry Flashman said:
What Clintster said. Park End good for a stag night, but it's an awful club; all clubs in Oxford are. Freud's a better bet for drinking and eye-candy, although no real dancing and not exactly a pulling joint unless during termtime (and I reckon we're all a bit old for that now...)


Oxfords not good for clubs best of a bad bunch....the worst being DTM

IMO best to just take advantage of the high concentration of good pubs in the town. But what to do after closing time.

Also to my knowledge there isn't a strip club in the town, just thinking as this is a staggie etc.

Harry Flashman

21,840 posts

272 months

Wednesday 7th September 2005
quotequote all
DTMs *shudder* I remember the sweat dripping off the mirrored tiles...


After hours, what the hell; if on a stag go to Park End. Just don't go to The Coven II unless you want to get knifed. 5th Avenue is pretty bad, and DTMs is rank.

Although, apparently there is a place called The Gallery that has opened since I was in Oxford, and apparently not bad at all; consider giving this a go?

adqt

93 posts

260 months

Wednesday 7th September 2005
quotequote all
Head for George street. Its the main area for pubs in the centre and where most of the 'eye candy' tends to go! None are spectacular but should be lively enough on a weekend. As said before the Park End Club is best club (of a bad bunch), but you could also try Jongleurs and Bar Risa on Hythe Bridge Street! Have Fun!!!

thunderstruck

8,877 posts

312 months

Wednesday 7th September 2005
quotequote all
adqt said:
Head for George street. Its the main area for pubs in the centre and where most of the 'eye candy' tends to go! None are spectacular but should be lively enough on a weekend. As said before the Park End Club is best club (of a bad bunch), but you could also try Jongleurs and Bar Risa on Hythe Bridge Street! Have Fun!!!


George St seconded. There was a place there about 4 years ago called the Cock and Camel, there was always a surplus of ladeez in there. It's v. close to Park End St as well.

Seem to remember there was also a Po Na Na's at the top of George St by the Randolph Hotel?

gbbird

Original Poster:

5,197 posts

274 months

Wednesday 7th September 2005
quotequote all
Cheers everyone, i will be going armed with your expert advice, so i'm sure we'll have a good one!

g

timmy30

9,325 posts

257 months

Wednesday 7th September 2005
quotequote all
anonymous said:
[redacted]




Saw his van still there in the same old pitch, almost stopped by for a quick bab with garlic mayo and extra chilli for old times sake, but i) I was sober ii) I think my imunity to listeria has worn off by now.

Coco H

4,237 posts

267 months

Wednesday 7th September 2005
quotequote all
There is some over 25s club somewhere opened after I left 0- it is supposed to be ok.

Turf
Bear
Bird & Baby

I think there are some good places down little Clarendon Street which would lead nicely into Freuds.

Park End - does it still reallly exist!!! The Coven is dodgy as anything, DTMs manky and 5th Avenue stinks (well it used to).

There used to be a Dive called the Dolly (underground near HMV) which was interesting. I assume that's closed now.

adqt

93 posts

260 months

Wednesday 7th September 2005
quotequote all
Coco H said:
There is some over 25s club somewhere opened after I left 0- it is supposed to be ok.

Turf
Bear
Bird & Baby

I think there are some good places down little Clarendon Street which would lead nicely into Freuds.

Park End - does it still reallly exist!!! The Coven is dodgy as anything, DTMs manky and 5th Avenue stinks (well it used to).

There used to be a Dive called the Dolly (underground near HMV) which was interesting. I assume that's closed now.


The Dolly doesn't exist anymore! It changed from a dark grungy underground bar with very odd (but friendly)looking people to a 'Trendy' wine bar with white washed walls. Shame! it was always fun for a good night out with rock bands performing regularly and a really good atmosphere

Coco H

4,237 posts

267 months

Wednesday 7th September 2005
quotequote all
Pants - I suspected as much. I never paid for a drink in there.

Stamp

3,609 posts

266 months

Wednesday 7th September 2005
quotequote all
Or wonder down little Clarenden St.

Down Town Manhattans. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

www.knowhere.co.uk/578_goingout.html

Quote Down Town Manhattens: usually frequented by older clubbers and people who couldn't
be bothered to walk to the other clubs.

Highway Star

3,615 posts

261 months

Thursday 8th September 2005
quotequote all
Do yourself a big favour and avoid DTMs like herpes. Last time I went in there, my knuckles had less skin on when I came out.

Raouls on Walton Street is good for cocktails and just down the road from Freuds. The Turf is good, but more an early evening pub. Lamb and Flag is better than the Eagle and Child.

Not really into the sort of music played down places like Park End, but I have noticed that the club on the Bridge (maybe even called The Bridge?) between Worcester College and the Fire Station always has a large queue outside. Personally, I go to The Zodiac on Cowley Road, but generally out of termtime and it's not everyones cup of tea (indie club, sweaty walls, dark and floor covered in a film of unidentifiable gunk ) I'd say Park End would be best for a stag do.

Po Na Na is next to the cinema on Magdalen Street, its ok, pretty much like any Po Na Na really. Is Filth (5th) still going?

If you fancy a curry, go to Aziz on the Cowley Road - I've been to all the curry houses in Oxford and its the best.

If Mehdis bab van is still there - try chips, cheese, beans, kebab meat, lettuce and mayonnaise - just heavenly and guaranteed to soak up ant amount of alcohol in your stomach

>> Edited by Highway Star on Thursday 8th September 03:00

Don

28,378 posts

314 months

Thursday 8th September 2005
quotequote all
Brings it all back that does...must spend a weekend in Oxford again sometime...

Is Brett's Burgers on the Cowley Road/ by the station still there? after

MOD500

2,687 posts

280 months

Thursday 8th September 2005
quotequote all
Blimey I feel 18 again reading this thread!

Fatboy

8,269 posts

302 months

Thursday 8th September 2005
quotequote all
Highway Star said:
...I have noticed that the club on the Bridge (maybe even called The Bridge?) between Worcester College and the Fire Station always has a large queue outside....

It is the bridge indeed - really quite nice as well (last time I was there 2 years ago), much better than the other clubs.

One word of caution about Oxford - don't expect much in the way of fit totty or you'll be very dissapointed, but it's still a very nice city to go out in for a laugh with mates.

mxdi

13,994 posts

279 months

Thursday 8th September 2005
quotequote all
timmy30 said:
Oxford isn't over supplied with Clubs anyway.

For excellent real ales and a nice atmos try the Turf early on, it takes some finding as it's down an alley, but gets crowded later on. Or if you want a mega strong monster cocktail to rev things up try Freuds up on Walton Street....ah memories.

Now depending on what kind of gents you are Oxford is broadly split along these lines, the High Street has a number of nice 'All Bar One' type places all along it, they're all much the same. The Turl on Catte St just off the high street is pretty lively.

George Street on the other hand is the more, careful here Timmy, downmarket/rougher one but it's also where there's more skirt generally. Again alot of large samey bar/pub/eatery places.

In the central Uni area you'll find 3 old favourites, The Kings Head, The Lamb and Flag and the Eagle and Child, all very good pubs IMO.

Listen as Oxford is a pub town I'd make it something of a pub crawl. Not wanting to org your staggie for you but say.

Turf
Kings Head
Lamb and Flag
Eagle and Child
Three Goats Heads
Turl Bar

Then if you want to finnish off with a club, try Park End which is a club on Park End Street.

Oh and it's always worth visiting Achmeds Kebab van on the High Street once your p*ssed enough, I used to get regular terms there


good choice of pubs, used to go over Park end on the weekends in my younger days, used to be good, you have to do the '70s/80s' room I loved that, the rest of the park end was never any good.