Oxford bars are where Tolkien drank, where Lewis wrote, and where the dons still hold court.
Part of our 10 Best Bars in the United Kingdom listThis article is one chapter in our larger global guide. See the full pillar with every featured city.
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The 10 best bars in Oxford
01 · Oxford
St Giles
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Iconic · Tolkien + Lewis
Iconic St Giles pub — Tolkien and C.S. Lewis met here as the Inklings.
Order: A pint in the Rabbit Room
02 · Oxford
Bath Place
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Iconic 13th century
Iconic 13th-century Bath Place hidden pub.
Order: A pint in the courtyard
03 · Oxford
Alfred Street
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Iconic 1242 · Oldest
Iconic 1242 Alfred Street pub — Oxford's oldest.
Order: A pint of cask ale
04 · Oxford
Walton Street
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Iconic · Cocktails
Iconic Walton Street cocktail bar.
Order: A precise Manhattan
05 · Oxford
St Clement's Street
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Iconic · Real ale
Iconic St Clement's Street real-ale pub.
Order: A pint of cask ale
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06 · Oxford
Holywell Street
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Iconic 1607
Iconic 1607 Holywell Street pub.
Order: A pint of cask ale
07 · Oxford
Wolvercote
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Iconic · Riverside
Iconic Wolvercote riverside pub on the Thames.
Order: A pint by the river
08 · Oxford
Binsey
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Iconic · Riverside
Iconic Binsey riverside thatched pub.
Order: A pint in the garden
09 · Oxford
Broad Street
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Iconic · Inspector Morse
Iconic Broad Street pub — Inspector Morse drinks here.
Order: A pint of cask ale
10 · Oxford
Jericho
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Iconic · Music
Iconic Jericho music pub.
Order: A pint during the late set
How Oxford drinks
The 10 above are where Oxford actually drinks — cocktail rooms, hidden speakeasies, and pubs that earn the word.
