Pubs, Clubs and Bars in Oxford

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Bars and Clubs

Each Oxford college tends to have their own club nights, and thus big college outings occur, to much hilare. It must be noted that student nights in the popular clubs are very well-attended, with long queues frequently seen, especially during Michaelmas term (as no-one has exams). You may have to get used to leaving for the club at freakishly early times, such as quarter past nine, in order to avoid queueing. Either that or rock up late.

Jongleurs and Bar Risa

By day Jongleurs is a pub/bar with big TV screens for watching football matches, and apparently some kind of barbeque arrangement in summer. By night it joins up with Bar Risa next door to become a 2-dance floor club. Drink deals often make the night affordable, but be careful - they're generally on a fairly limited range of spirits. The most popular night of the week is a Wednesday - Super Bonz during which the SB girls give out shots and pole dancing is the order of the day. Shag tag appears to have disappeared for the moment but may well return later in the year.

Lola Lo Oxford

Previously known as Po Na Na and still at the same location, but the venue has been completely renovated and rebranded and describe themselves as a tiki/ Hawaiian style cocktail bar and nightclub.

Lava & Ignite (formerly Park End)

Biggest club in Oxford - with the Zoo night on a Wednesday. first 2 terms there's about a half hour wait if you arrive at about 11, 10 or midnight are the times to go. all drinks £1.50 all night (with the exception of pints being about £1.80). music usually stops around 2.15. main dance floor is pretty large, with a floor above it where you can watch the revelers below (from the comfort of some decent seating). then there's a fun pub as well as an RnB room. on a busy night expect over 1000 people in there (i think capacity is something like 1200 but not sure). last week of Michaelmas and Hilary in there is always a blast! the playlist doesn't change much from week to week - stereotypical RnB, cheese, with a little dance/trance thrown in for good measure.

The Bridge

good on Tuesdays and Thursdays, open til 3 (sometimes later for special occasions - has a very late licence). maybe a little more pricey than other places but still not too unreasonable for students - with 2 floors with 2 different styles of music (RnB bottom floor, cheese top floor). beware, Michaelmas Tuesdays in the bridge is absolutely packed out - with probably the longest queue of any oxford student night (2 hours + on occasion). Has a reputation for being populated by 'hacks' and 'rahs'.

The Cellar

Hosts popular hip-hop and drum and bass nights, as well as offering live music. It is found just off Cornmarket.

The Purple Turtle

The Purple Turtle (or PTs) is situated underneath the Oxford Union, with free membership for members of the Union. For non-members it's £3 entry, so you can still bring friends from home / non-Union members. There are a lot of drink deals (£1 a pint 5 til 9 on weeknights) - prices brilliant, but maybe not the best venue - the dance floor is small and cramped, it's all a bit fluorescent and the whole effect is quite claustrophobic.

The Oxford Academy (formerly The Zodiac)

Oxford's premier live band venue. Attracts some big names in rock, and hosts a range of club nights catering for a wide-range of genres including hip-hop, indie, brit pop, metal and drum and bass. The venue is found quite a way down Cowley road, so it is a bit of a trek from most colleges.

Filth (now closed)

Inches from the Westgate Sainsbury's, Filth is Oxford's primary purveyor of mainstream dance to intolerable hack-scum you spend daylight hours avoiding. So called for its notorious grubbiness, Filth is probably most memorable for a section filled entirely with beds; which, depending on your level of cynicism, is ideal either for a laid-back, comfortable drinking experience, or for gang rape. Regardless, you'll be paying through your coke-plastered nostrils, for anything that isn't tap water.

Pubs

The Cricketers Arms

If you like real ale, reasonable prices, friendly bar staff, pool, comfortable seating, heated smoking areas and a relaxed atmosphere, this pub is for you. A range of special cocktails and shooters are also available. Regular DJ nights on Weekends. Quiz night on Mondays (~9pm) is always a laugh: silly tacky prizes to win for each round and a cash prize & free drink for the overall winners... swot up on your "crap news" to help you win the first round. Open 5pm-midnight Sun-Thurs (& until 12.30 on Fri/Sat). Located at the beginning of the Iffley road (walk down Circus Street from the Cowley Road).

The Lamb and Flag

St John's bought 12 St Giles from Godstow Abbey, and opened a tavern here in 1695. The pub is named after the two symbols of John the Baptist, although only the lamb is shown on the inn's sign. Lamb & Flag Passage runs through the south side of the pub and leads into Museum Road and on to Parks Road. Full of character, the Lamb and Flag is a cosy place to have a pint, and has a good selection of ales.

The Kings Arms

The "KA", as it is mostly referred to, is found at the crossroads of Broad Street and Parks Road. This is one of Oxford's most lively pubs, being popular with both tourists and students alike, and serving good, plentiful food at not a bad price. Above the normal student prices for drinks, but can be worth the splurge. It is regarded as something of a hangout for the posher sort of Oxford student, and referring it as the "KA" may earn mockery in less rarefied circles.

Far from the Madding Crowd

The Madding is found down Friars Entry, a passage that runs from between St Giles and the back of the Oxford Playhouse. They serve good food, and are essentially quite a local pub. Gets absolutely packed solid late in the evening - but I guess there's a reason for that! It is know for Thespian clientele: expect to overhear conversations about WONDERFUL first nights and the word "DARLING!" a lot. Also a good pub quiz on sunday nights

The Turf

The Turf is a popular pub located between Hollywell Street and New College Lane. It is especially popular for post-exam celebrations, but also for every tourist in the world; as such, it acts as a black hole where finance is concerned. Often packed but has a good and changing range of guest ales and the potent Old Rosie cider

The Turl

The Turl is found down an alley on Turl Street, funnily enough. It serves alcohol, and you may sit to drink. It is effectively a part of the Mitre across the road, itself a Beefeater establishment, not good or bad just a bit dull

The Trout

A long, long walk can be taken across the meadow to reach this destination, if one so desires. The only pub in Oxford to feature real working peacocks. Serves good but pricey food, possibly somewhere to take the parents.

Duke of Cambridge

To call the Duke a pub is really stretching it a bit. Really it's a cocktail bar, but with the happy hour the drinks become affordable and it's a nice change from the college bar. Located on Little Clarendon there is a wide variety of cocktails to choose from, from old favourites like Martinis and Sex on the Beach to some more exotic things.

The Royal Oak

On Woodstock Road, this is a large pub with a beer garden and lots of sofas and board games. A good place to see off a hangover, serving excellent food including superb puddings.