* Oxford City Guide now has separate pages for live music.
Please see the 'see & do' menu above.
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Pubs & Bars
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Oxford is a student town, and so there's plenty of great bars, pubs, and clubs to choose from. The English love a good pint, and a pub is a great place to sit back, relax, and even possibly meet a person or two - especially if you're buying the next round.
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Recommended:
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Turf Tavern, 01865 243235, 4 Bath Place. Official Website
Hidden down an alleyway in the city center, this popular pub was featured in the Inspector Morse (TV) series.
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Eagle & Child, 01865 302925, 49 St. Giles'
This charming pub was the weekly meeting place for the Inklings - a group of writers that included JRR Tolkien and CS Lewis - from the 1930's-1960's.
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Lamb & Flag, 01865 515787, 12 St. Giles'
Across from the Eagle & Child, this pub also has a literary history - Graham Greene and Thomas Hardy used to drink here often.
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The Bear, 01865 721783, Alfred Street (off High)
Said to be the oldest pub in Oxford, the low ceiling, wooden interior and slanted floors make us believers. The Bear features a very difficult quiz night each Tuesday., so if you think you're smarter than the average Oxford student, show up during term time and give it a go!
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King's Arms, 01865 242369, 40 Holywell Street
Crowded and popular student pub across from the Sheldonian
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Other Notable Pubs and Bars...
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... in the city centre
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All Bar One |
124 High Street |
01865 258991 |
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Anuba |
11-13 Park End Street |
n/a |
Baby Bar Love |
3 King Edward Street |
01865 200011 |
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Bar Milano |
Ground Level of Pizza Express, Golden Cross |
01865 790442 |
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Bar Risa |
3-5 Hythe Bridge Street |
01865 722437 |
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Brewery Gate |
5 St. Thomas Street |
01865 250020 |
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Castle Tavern |
24 Paradise Street |
01865 201510 |
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Chequers |
131 High Street |
01865 727463 |
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City Tavern - now called Market Tavern |
Market Street |
01865 248388 |
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Duke of Cambridge |
5-6 Little Clarendon Street |
01865 558173 |
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Duke of York |
Norfolk Street |
01865 248507 |
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Escape |
9a High Street |
01865 248480 |
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Eurobar |
48 George Street |
01865 725087 |
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Far from the Madding Crowd |
10-12 Friar's Entry, off Magdalen St. |
01865 240900 |
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Gloucester Arms |
Friar's Entry, off Magdalen St. |
01865 241177 |
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Golden Cross X |
Golden Cross, off Cornmarket |
01865 790442 |
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Goose at Gloucester Green |
14 Gloucester Street |
01865 726255 |
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Grapes |
7 George Street |
01865 793380 |
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Ha!Ha! Bar & Canteen |
4 Oxford Castle |
01865 246592 |
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Head of the River |
Folly Bridge |
01865 721600 |
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Holywell's Bar & Brasserie |
38 Holywell Street |
01865 203536 |
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Honeypot |
8 Hollybush Row |
01865 200208 |
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Jolly Farmers |
20 Paradise Street |
01865 793759 |
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Kings Arms |
40 Holywell Street |
01865 242369 |
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Kiss |
Park End Street |
01865 200555 |
Las Iguanas |
40-41 Park End Street |
01865 263150 |
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Living Room |
1 Oxford Castle |
08701 662223 |
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Maxwells |
36-37 Queen Street |
01865 242192 |
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Merton's Bar |
73 High Street |
01865 249065 |
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Mitre |
High Street |
01865 244563 |
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Mood |
29-31 George Street |
01865 726036 |
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Next Door |
38 Holywell Street |
01865 203536 |
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Ocean and Collins |
43 Park End Street |
01865 241144 |
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O'Neills |
37 George Street |
01865 812931 |
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Old Orleans |
George Street |
01865 792718 |
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Old School House Pub |
Gloucester Green |
01865 792703 |
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Old Tom |
101 St. Aldates |
01865 243034 |
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Oxford Retreat |
1-2 Hythe Bridge Street |
01865 725196 |
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QI |
Turl Street |
01865 200404 |
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Que Pasa |
12 New Road |
01865 250099 |
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Quod |
92-94 High Street |
01865 202505 |
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Rosie O' Grady's |
1 Park End Street |
01865 204060 |
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Royal Blenheim |
13 St. Ebbes Street |
01865 242355 |
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The Royal Oak |
42 Woodstock Road |
01865 310187 |
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Smollensky's |
17 Park End Street |
01865 793793 |
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St Aldate's Tavern (was Hobgoblin) |
108 St. Aldates |
01865 250201 |
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Three Goats Heads |
St. Michael's Place |
01865 721523 |
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Thirst |
7-8 Park End Street |
01865 242044 |
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The Wheatsheaf |
129 High Street |
01865 721156 |
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The White Horse |
52 Broad Street |
01865 728318 |
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Yates's Bar |
51-53 George Street |
01865 723790 |
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... Cowley Road, St. Clements, Iffley Road
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Angel & Greyhound |
30 St. Clements |
01865 242660 |
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Aroma |
234 Cowley Road |
01865 250730 |
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Baba |
240 Cowley Road |
01865 203011 |
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Bar Baby |
213 Cowley Road |
01865 202506 |
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Black Swan |
Crown Street (off Cowley) |
01865 242153 |
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Brickworks |
182 Cowley Road |
01865 245999 |
Cape of Good Hope |
1 Iffley Road (The Plain) |
01865 262291 |
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Chester Arms |
19 Chester St (off Iffley) |
01865 246203 |
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City Arms |
288 Cowley Road |
01865 725299 |
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The Corner Room, Pub Oxford |
1 Iffley Road |
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Corridor |
Corner Cowley Road, Princes Street |
01865 247519 |
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Cricketers Arms |
43 Iffley Road |
01865 726264 |
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The Duke |
78 St. Clement's |
01865 438820 |
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Elm Tree |
95 Cowley Road |
01865 792088 |
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Exeter Hall Pub |
1 Oxford Road |
01865 776431 |
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The Fir Tree |
163 Iffley Road |
01865 245290 |
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The Half Moon |
17 St. Clement's |
01865 247808 |
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James Street Tavern |
47-48 James Street (off Cowley) |
01865 247127 |
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Kazbar |
27 Cowley Road |
01865 202920 |
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Mangos |
92 Cowley Road |
01865 244404 |
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Moya |
97 St. Clements |
01865 200111 |
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The Pub |
1 Iffley Road |
n/a |
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The Shamrock Bar |
Crown Street (off Cowley) |
01865 421970 |
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The Star |
21 Rectory Road (off Cowley) |
01865 248011 |
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Temple Bar |
21 Temple Street (off Cowley) |
01865 243251 |
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... in Jericho
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The Anchor Inn
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2 Hayfield Road
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01865 510282
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Angels
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55 Little Clarendon Street
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01865 554224
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Duke of Cambridge
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6 Little Clarendon Street
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01865 558173
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Freud
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119 Walton Street
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01865 311171
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Gardeners' Arms
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39 Plantation Road (bw Walton & Wdstk)
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01865 559814
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Harcourt Arms
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Cranham Terrace
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01865 310630
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Jude the Obscure
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54 Walton Street
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01865 553344
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Old Bookbinder's Arms
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Canal Street
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01865 553549
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Radcliffe Arms
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67 Cranham Street
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01865 514762
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Raouls Cocktail Bar
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32 Walton Street
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01865 553732
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Sip
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102 Walton Street
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01865 311322
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Sugar Brown
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30 Walton Street
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01865 515910
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The Victoria
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90 Walton Street
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01865 554047
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... in Summertown
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Summertown Wine Cafe
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38 South Parade
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01865 558800
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Dew Drop Inn
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258 Banbury Rd
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01865 559372
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Joe's
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260 Banbury Rd
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01865 554484
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Comedy & Performance Clubs |
To find out who is performing at these venues, visit our comedy pages
Catweazle Club, East Oxford Community Ctr. (crn. Cowley Rd & Princes' St.) Official Website
Thursdays, 8:00pm. Music, storytelling, performance poetry, etc. Get there early if you want a seat. |
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Jongleurs Comedy Club, 3-5 Bridge Street, 01865 722437
Thursday - Saturday. Three/Four comedians per night, ending around 11, then turns into a disco. Opens at 7pm, doors close at 8pm for show. Buy Tickets Online |
The Free Beer Show Comedy Club at the Cellar , Frewin Court, off Cornmarket, 01865 722437
Popular Edinburgh Fringe comedy club, The Free Beer Show presents a weekly show at the Cellar Club in Oxford. See TV stars, award winners, international headliners and the best new talent for only £6 with a free beer. Recommended by The Guardian, Sunday Times, Daily Mail, Oxford Times and Chortle. Doors 8pm / Show 9pm / Bar & Music til 1am. £6/£5 members free beer with every ticket. Buy Tickets Online |
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Live Music & Club Nights |
To find out what's playing at these venues, visit our music pages, which can be found in our 'See & Do' menu at the top of the page
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Live Music: |
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Oxford is the place where Radiohead and Supergrass got their starts, so chances are good you'll see some good bands in the following venues. |
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The Carling Academy Oxford, 190 Cowley Road, 0844 477 2000.
For information on buying tickets, click here. |
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Freud 119 Walton Street, 01865 311171 |
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Backroom at the Bullingdon Arms, 162 Cowley Road, 01865 244516
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The Cellar Frewin Court, Cornmarket Street, 01865 244761. Official Website
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Jericho Tavern, 56 Walton Street, 01865 311775
It was here that Radiohead debuted in 1987, and where Supergrass played the gig that led to their record contract. |
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Oxford Folk Club/Port Mahon, 82 St. Clements, 01865 202067
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The Wheatsheaf, 129 High Street, 01865 721156
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Exeter Hall Pub, 1 Oxford Road, Cowley, 01865 776431. Official Website
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The Venue, Oxford Brookes Student Union, Helena Kennedy Studen Centre, Headington Hill Campus, 01865 248388. Official Website. |
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The Victoria, 90 Walton Street, 01865 554047 |
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The Magdalen, Iffley Road, 01865 243159 |
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Clubs:
Oxford is not necessarily known for their clubs, in fact, our trusty editor couldn't tell you if any of these were any good or not, but she hears the following are pretty popular: |
Carling Academy (Zodiac), 0844 477 2000, 190 Cowley Road. Official Website
Busy, spacious, and on two floors
Mondays -Zoo - In conjunction with Oxford University, Zoo is a brand new night featuring the best indie, dance and chart music from the 90’s to now. The only way to kick-start the week! £3 before 11.30pm/ £4 after. 10.30pm -2am |
Wednesdays - Fuzzy Ducks - Oxford’s premier student club night, FUZZY DUCKS hosts a mixture of pop and cheese classics! Watch out for themed nights too, you WILL be expected to dress up! £5 all night. 9pm -2am |
Thursdays - Smash Disco! - A brand new night and a ‘rave for the Oxford indie scene!’ Only the sweatiest rock’n’roll to electro’s dirtiest beats – think Klaxons, The Young Knives, Gossip, The View, Cold War Kids, Hot Chip, Dirty Pretty Things, Lady Sovereign, The Rakes – you know it makes sense. £4 all night. 11pm-2am |
Fridays - Shake! - Get your groove on ‘til 3am with funk, soul, reggae, rock’n’roll, disco and get-down ghetto-jazz from the makers of Skylarkin’ Soundsystem and The Disco Shed. £5 all night. 10.30pm-3am |
Saturdays - Transformation/Trashy/
Room 101 - Yes – we’re serious - three club nights in one! Seminal indie night Transformation returns with full throttle indie, high octane electro, influential retro and funking cool tunes. Upstairs in the Zodiac, the ever-popular Trashy takes over with ‘trash-pop’, indie, glam rock and 80’s classics; whilst in Bar Academy, Room 101 is THE Saturday night rock club, playing everything from alternative and rock, to the biggest punk anthems! £6 all night. 10.30pm-3am |
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Bar Risa/Jongleurs , 01865 722437, 3-5 Hythe Bridge Street.
Bar/club and comedy club
| Sundays - LA/Cuban Salsa in Risa
8.30pm - 12 midnight. £3 entry. Classes for all levels, freestyle social dancing after. Poker night in Jongleurs. No limit Texas Hold'em, £5 buy-in. See www.playpubpoker.co.uk |
Mondays -Student Click in Risa
9pm-2am. £4 entry. Home of the pint cocktails. Cheapest drinks in town inc. double VRB £2, pints/bottles £1.50.
DJ plays R'n'B, funky house, chart |
Fridays and Saturdays (and Thursdays from 7th Feb) - All star comedy show in Jongleurs. One compere and three top acts. To book call 0844 844 0044 or 01865 722 437. Thursdays £8 / Friday £12/ Saturday £16. In Risa, DJ Giles playing Commercial R'n'B, dance, chart.
Entry £3/£4/£5
Open till 2/2.30am |
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The Bridge, 01865 242526, Hythe Bridge Street. Official Website
Busy, spacious, and on two floors
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Mondays - Niagra - Brookes Student Night |
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Tuesdays - Juice - Oxford's legendary student night with Rockstudent . Expect cheese, r'n'b, hip-hop and chillout |
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Wednesdays - International Night - THE international student night every Wednesday. |
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Thursdays - Fresh - Gettin Fresh ! The finest student night in town. Party music, commercial RnB and Hip-Hop |
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Fridays - Every Friday the party is massive. Maximum upliftance guaranteed. |
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Saturdays - The Bridge Club - Every Saturday, one of Oxford's most popular nights. Old school, commercial dance and RnB over two floors. |
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The Coven II, 01865 242770, Oxpens Road
Large, lesser known club just outside of the city centre. Gay friendly, excellent sound system. |
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Park End, 01865 250181, 37 Park End Street. Official Website
Oxfords largest and most popular dance club
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Thursdays - Main Room: Commercial chart & Dance, Room 2 RnB. £2 drinks all night |
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Fridays - Super Cheese! Main Room: Cheese as big as yer knees! Room 2: Hip Hop & RnB Room 3: Chill out. £2 selected drinks all night. 22:00 - 03:00 £3 B4 11pm, £5 after |
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Saturdays - Saturdays @ Park End - Music Policy: Main Room: House & Dance, Room 2: RnB & Bashment Room 3 Cheesy Party! 22:00 - 03:00 £6 B4 11pm, £7.50 after. Over 18s only. You will be asked for photo ID if you look under 21. Smart Casual Dress. |
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Mondays - SEX - from MON 24/04 Oxford Brookes Student Night. Main Room: Chart & Dance, Room 2 RnB, Room 3 Cheese. £1.50 drinks all night. 21:30 - 02:00 £3 B4 11pm, £4 after. Casual. Over !8's only. Student ID required for entry |
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Purple Turtle, 01865 247086, Frewin Court (off Cornmarket). Official Website
Small, cave-like, and free for students with Union cards.
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Thursdays - POP - Indie & Britpop night Happy hours 5.30 till 8pm (£1 a pint) |
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Fridays - Whats Ur Flava - The cheesiest of cheese because you love it Happy hours 5.30 till 8pm (£1 a pint) |
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Saturdays - The Jukebox - You choose the music!!! We have a massive list of music from all genres. All you have to do is pick your favourite tracks, write them down and give it to the DJ. Happy hours 5.30 till 8pm (£1 a pint) |
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Sundays - Alternate - The Beard Museum (live music night). 2nd and last week of every month Happy hours 7 till 9pm (£1 a pint) check www.beardmuseum.com for line ups Open Mic Night 3rd Sunday of the month The best performer wins £40 + runner prizes from Redstripe Chillout Happy Hours 7 till 9pm 1st week of every month |
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Mondays - Happy Mondays - Indie/Alternative night/ Jugs of beer £6 All Night Happy hours 5.30 till 9pm (£1 a pint) |
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Tuesdays - Kinky - Funky House Dj Russ Massive + guests Jugs of beer £6 All night Happy hours 5.30 till 11pm!! (£1 a pint) |
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Wednesdays - Crossover - Dj's playing a mash up of Indie/Rock/Hiphop/RnB VKs £1.50 all night Happy hours 5.30 till 9pm (£1 a pint)
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Po Na Na Souk Bar, 01865 249171, 13-15 Magdalen Street. Official Website
Moroccan-style club that plays more mellow, jazzy beats than other dance clubs
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Mondays -Rocka - FREE before 10.30pm £3 after. A little bit of everything from Indie to DnB and Chart to Old Skool! |
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Tuesdays - Fat Poppadaddys present a funky hotch-potch of crowd pleasers including Indie, Funk, Old Skool, Hip Hop, Reggae |
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Wednesdays - Brie - All your favourite dance floor fillers |
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Thursdays - Zoo Na Na - A hot-bed of energy and sounds gives Thursday nights a true pulse, with a mixture of Live Music and DJ’s sets including indie / Electro / Retro / Mashup |
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Fridays - FIG JAM - All sorts of House Music from Electro to Funky £5 all night. Local residents on rotation. |
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Saturdays - Boogie Beats - Funk, Soul and Breaks for the true music fan, £6 all night. DJs include Aidan Larkin, Rooty and Peepshow Paddy on rotation. |
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The Studio, 01865 245136, 35 Westgate Centre
Popular with students and young locals, the former Fifth Avenue club still plays cheesy music that has people crowding the dancefloor. |
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Mood, 01865 726036 29-31 George Street. Official Website
Music Cocktail Bar
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Mondays - International Night - 6pm - 2am. Sample a unique blend of music and culture from around the world at the hottest international party in town |
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Tuesdays - Lust - 6pm - 2am. Sophisticated, chic & trendy. Designed for Oxford's clubbing elite. |
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Wednesdays - International Night - 6pm - 2am. Sample a unique blend of music and culture from around the world at the hottest international party in town |
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Thursdays - Ladies Night. 6pm - 2am. |
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Fridays - Funk Nation. 6pm - 2am. |
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Saturdays - Peaches and Cream. 6pm - 2am. |
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Sundays - Yum Yum. 9pm - 2am |
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Escape, 01865 248480 35 9a High Street (Market Avenue 1) Official Website
Dine, drink, dance. Monday - Saturday, 5pm till late. |
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Thirst, 01865 242044 7-8 Park End Street and Pennyfarthing Place (behind Westgate) Official Website
Monday - Saturday, 5pm till 1, Sundays 6pm - 12:30am. DJs every night. |
| Oceans & Collins, 01865 241144, 43 Park End Street |
| Imperial Night Club, 01865 794 900, 27 Park End Street Official Website |
Lava & Ignite, 01865 250181, Park End Street
Official Website
Open 5 nights a week with three rooms giving you the best choice of House, Trance, Anthems, R&B, Hip Hop and Cheesy Pop Classics.
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Pubs & Bars | Comedy & Performance | Live Music
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