Pubs/Restaurants in Oxford

[holdsteady]

I refuse to queue at a bar!

One way to never get a round in.

 

[Eric Blair]

I refuse to queue at a bar!

There aren't many hills I will die on but this is one of them.

 

[Manorlounger]

There aren't many hills I will die on but this is one of them.

Shouldn't be any need top queue. Spent many years working bars, both in pubs and nightclubs (and a 4* hotel) One of the tricks of being a good barman was to make eye contact and acknowledge your customers. They knew you had noticed them and would get to them in turn. Woe betide the pushy twats who thought they could shove their way through and wave £20 notes in your face. If they weren't next, they didn't get served. And, never upset the bar staff, they have great power when it comes to you getting a drink or not!

 

[SirAndyOfCrosby]

The act of queuing at a bar in a line is arguably one of the worst repercussions of Covid.

Ooh - I've got one! (not sure if it's Covid, but only seems to have been a thing since)...

Not quite full pints.

Like there's a real effort on behalf of the individual pouring the pint to stop just as it fills, or ideally just before. Leaving you a little shy. Not worth mentioning shy, but irritatingly noticeably shy.

Is it a cost thing? I get the pernicious prices associated with brewery owned pubs and when I last worked in a pub some 20+ years ago there was some scrutiny of waste (measuring out the drip-trays maybe) but nothing like this 'stop before it's quite full' thing.

I'd rather pay an extra 50p for a full and complete pint, if that covers them for wastage?

My other theory is that we're being served by people who don't know what a pint is or should look like. Kids today don't really drink as much or frequent pubs themselves. So some gym freak pouring my pint may not know it needs to be full or how much head it should have.

This as good a place as any to ask. Anyone out there work in hospitality? Which is it? An increasingly pernicious attitude to waste - or hopelessly incompetent staff?

 

[Eric Blair]

Shouldn't be any need top queue. Spent many years working bars, both in pubs and nightclubs (and a 4* hotel) One of the tricks of being a good barman was to make eye contact and acknowledge your customers. They knew you had noticed them and would get to them in turn. Woe betide the pushy twats who thought they could shove their way through and wave £20 notes in your face. If they weren't next, they didn't get served. And, never upset the bar staff, they have great power when it comes to you getting a drink or not!

Plus if I'm at the bar and someone goes to serve me ahead of a person there before me then I can do the whole "I think this bloke/lady was here before me", they turn and do the nod of thanks, I nod back. Everyone is a winner and society continues to function.

 

[Sarge]

Ooh - I've got one! (not sure if it's Covid, but only seems to have been a thing since)...

Not quite full pints.

Like there's a real effort on behalf of the individual pouring the pint to stop just as it fills, or ideally just before. Leaving you a little shy. Not worth mentioning shy, but irritatingly noticeably shy.

Is it a cost thing? I get the pernicious prices associated with brewery owned pubs and when I last worked in a pub some 20+ years ago there was some scrutiny of waste (measuring out the drip-trays maybe) but nothing like this 'stop before it's quite full' thing.

I'd rather pay an extra 50p for a full and complete pint, if that covers them for wastage?

My other theory is that we're being served by people who don't know what a pint is or should look like. Kids today don't really drink as much or frequent pubs themselves. So some gym freak pouring my pint may not know it needs to be full or how much head it should have.

This as good a place as any to ask. Anyone out there work in hospitality? Which is it? An increasingly pernicious attitude to waste - or hopelessly incompetent staff?

on the subject of mildly annoying recent happenings in pubs - one that often occurs is invariably when the bar person is a 20 something, or younger, after me and a mate go to the bar, invariably on arrival, one of us orders both beers and the bar person asks are you paying together- my usual reply is thanks for the compliment but Im not a student so of course Im paying for both, and its his round next. This happens frequently and has been happening for a few years too

Is it a thing now, that when going to a pub (some), younger people, in pairs or larger groups, only buy their own drinks these days?

 

[Eric Blair]

on the subject of mildly annoying recent happenings in pubs - one that often occurs is invariably when the bar person is a 20 something, or younger, after me and a mate go to the bar, invariably on arrival, one of us orders both beers and the bar person asks are you paying together- my usual reply is thanks for the compliment but Im not a student so of course Im paying for both, and its his round next. This happens frequently and has been happening for a few years too

Is it a thing now, that when going to a pub (some), younger people, in pairs or larger groups, only buy their own drinks these days?

The country has gone

 

[Manorlounger]

on the subject of mildly annoying recent happenings in pubs - one that often occurs is invariably when the bar person is a 20 something, or younger, after me and a mate go to the bar, invariably on arrival, one of us orders both beers and the bar person asks are you paying together- my usual reply is thanks for the compliment but Im not a student so of course Im paying for both, and its his round next. This happens frequently and has been happening for a few years too

Is it a thing now, that when going to a pub (some), younger people, in pairs or larger groups, only buy their own drinks these days?

There are few if any proper bar staff left in the world. How many times does one have to ask for a glass or worse, ask for a clean glass, without lipstick still smeared around the rim? When I ask for wine I expect to be informed of what is on offer not just red or white mate? Grrrrr! don't get me started!

 

[Wallop]

Shouldn't be any need top queue. Spent many years working bars, both in pubs and nightclubs (and a 4* hotel) One of the tricks of being a good barman was to make eye contact and acknowledge your customers. They knew you had noticed them and would get to them in turn. Woe betide the pushy twats who thought they could shove their way through and wave £20 notes in your face. If they weren't next, they didn't get served. And, never upset the bar staff, they have great power when it comes to you getting a drink or not!

100% this, exactly the method I used when pulling pints in my student days.

 

[Malc]

Exactly what I did working behind the bar at Whites bar in the High.
Long time ago.

 

[QR]

Shouldn't be any need top queue. Spent many years working bars, both in pubs and nightclubs (and a 4* hotel) One of the tricks of being a good barman was to make eye contact and acknowledge your customers. They knew you had noticed them and would get to them in turn. Woe betide the pushy twats who thought they could shove their way through and wave £20 notes in your face. If they weren't next, they didn't get served. And, never upset the bar staff, they have great power when it comes to you getting a drink or not!

I had a girlfriend who worked behind the bar at The Brewhouse. Terrible at maths given how cheap my rounds were.

 

[Manorlounger]

Ooh - I've got one! (not sure if it's Covid, but only seems to have been a thing since)...

Not quite full pints.

Like there's a real effort on behalf of the individual pouring the pint to stop just as it fills, or ideally just before. Leaving you a little shy. Not worth mentioning shy, but irritatingly noticeably shy.

Is it a cost thing? I get the pernicious prices associated with brewery owned pubs and when I last worked in a pub some 20+ years ago there was some scrutiny of waste (measuring out the drip-trays maybe) but nothing like this 'stop before it's quite full' thing.

I'd rather pay an extra 50p for a full and complete pint, if that covers them for wastage?

My other theory is that we're being served by people who don't know what a pint is or should look like. Kids today don't really drink as much or frequent pubs themselves. So some gym freak pouring my pint may not know it needs to be full or how much head it should have.

This as good a place as any to ask. Anyone out there work in hospitality? Which is it? An increasingly pernicious attitude to waste - or hopelessly incompetent staff?

Could be both. Strictly speaking a true pint glass has a measure marked on the glass*. Wastage is normally caused by poor cellar maintenance. Keeping the pipes clean, regular checks and knowing, at the very least, how to change a barrel should be mandatory. A 'foaming' pint is usually a sign of an issue somewhere. No excuse with proper beer and real ale.

* Glass marking since 2022.

 

[carefreeoufc]

Ooh - I've got one! (not sure if it's Covid, but only seems to have been a thing since)...

Not quite full pints.

Like there's a real effort on behalf of the individual pouring the pint to stop just as it fills, or ideally just before. Leaving you a little shy. Not worth mentioning shy, but irritatingly noticeably shy.

Is it a cost thing? I get the pernicious prices associated with brewery owned pubs and when I last worked in a pub some 20+ years ago there was some scrutiny of waste (measuring out the drip-trays maybe) but nothing like this 'stop before it's quite full' thing.

I'd rather pay an extra 50p for a full and complete pint, if that covers them for wastage?

My other theory is that we're being served by people who don't know what a pint is or should look like. Kids today don't really drink as much or frequent pubs themselves. So some gym freak pouring my pint may not know it needs to be full or how much head it should have.

This as good a place as any to ask. Anyone out there work in hospitality? Which is it? An increasingly pernicious attitude to waste - or hopelessly incompetent staff?

I've not worked in pubs/bars/clubs for a long time. I did manage a pub for a while after uni and had a personal license which expired quite some time ago now. I think it's due to the people pouring the pint and what they expect/understand to be acceptable.

There was a noticeable change in drinking habits of 18 year olds around 2008/09ish. The culture that I saw on the South Coast changed from people drinking in the evening in a pub from say 5/6pm and then onto a club etc. to students drinking at home and then going straight to a club at about 10pm where they'd drink bottles or shorts.

Several friends have children who are now just about drinking age, or have been for a few years. Very few of them drink pints, preferring things like bottled cider (if they drink at all).

My little trick in one place (and I'm sure plenty have done it) was to acknowledge the person rudely waving a note in my face (even though they'd only just got to the bar), take it from them, serve down the line and then eventually do their drinks.

Fortunately, my local has a decent group of long-standing bar staff who do an excellent job whether it's quiet or busy.

 

[ThatSlopesATwelfthMan]

If you like Japanese food Kibou on Little Clarendon Street is excellent. Not cheap but not crazy money for a cuisine that really is 'get what you pay for'. Superb staff as well who are happy to guide you through the menu.

 

[Dolly 51]

Exactly what I did working behind the bar at Whites bar in the High.
Long time ago.

That was the only place to go to finish the evening off.

 

[Malc]

Or to pick up a lady.

 

[Old Man]

or the clap , which some American Airman used to spread around before going back to Heyford .

 

[Sarge]

or the clap , which some American Airman used to spread around before going back to Heyford .

 

[Dimitri]

We are coming with 4 people from Belgium for the match on Saturday and hope to see Brian DK in action, any recommendations for good classic pubs?

 

[Sarge]

We are coming with 4 people from Belgium for the match on Saturday and hope to see Brian DK in action, any recommendations for good classic pubs?

Maybe try the Blackbird ( open from around 9am) on Blackbird Leys, ten ten-minute walk to the ground - though its CASH only at the bar

 

[Stranger]

Not sure I'd describe the Bird as a 'classic' pub. To me that means stone walls, a fireplace, draft ale on tap and maybe a pool table and a dartboard.

Local to the ground are the Golden Ball and Kings Arms in Littlemore and the Catherine Wheel in Sandford, although all still a fair walk away (10, 15 ans 20 mins respectively)

 

[Common Villager]

We are coming with 4 people from Belgium for the match on Saturday and hope to see Brian DK in action, any recommendations for good classic pubs?

As it's an early kick off (12:30pm), I'd recommend getting a taxi into town after the game as your options will be limited pre-match.

Some classic pubs in the city centre:

The Bear Inn
Turf Tavern
The White Horse
The Lamb and Flag
The Old Bookbinders (Jericho)
The Harcourt Arms (Jericho)

 

[Maldonyellow]

Had a great night out with my Cousin in Horspath last Friday, had a few bevvies at the Oxford Brewery in the village (Manor Farm), good selection af Ales, then on to the Gurkha Palace, (Chequers Pub). The Gurkha is actually rated 3rd highest of 500 plus restaurants according to Trip Advisor! They also have the Queens Head in the village that has a small number of B&B Rooms.

 

[Orkney Islands Yellow]

Why does an American billionaire want an Oxford pub? | The Spectator

Why does an American billionaire want an Oxford pub?

Larry Ellison has bought Oxford’s Eagle and Child pub, once home to Tolkien and the Inklings, with plans for a lavish 2027 reopening.

www.spectator.co.uk

Does he want a football club?!

 

[NorthWestOx]

Why does an American billionaire want an Oxford pub? | The Spectator

Why does an American billionaire want an Oxford pub?

Larry Ellison has bought Oxford’s Eagle and Child pub, once home to Tolkien and the Inklings, with plans for a lavish 2027 reopening.

www.spectator.co.uk

Does he want a football club?!

Or at least naming rights for a new stadium?
Oracle paid $200M for naming rights on Oracle Park, admittedly that's Baseball, which I believe is like rounders but quite popular over there.

Interesting article, archived version: https://archive.is/fC17t
"Yet Ellison’s ability to buy the pub and spend an equally vast amount refurbishing it, although impressive, is the latest in a lengthy series of very wealthy men trying to create a legacy in Oxford. In the past couple of decades alone, we’ve had Wafic Saïd and his horrible-looking business school; Len Blavatnik and his rather more architecturally interesting school of government; Stephen A. Schwarzman, who paid £185 million for a soon-to-open new arts and humanities centre in Jericho that will bear his name; and now Ellison, muscling in on technology and taverns alike. "

 

[MarkG]

I saw a similar headline for Larry Ellison buying up Oxford but again was behind a paywall.

What annoys me is the tat shops on cornmarket selling imitation Harry Potter stuff. Can’t the colleges or council or whoever own these premises lease them out to respectable high street stores ?

I felt embarrassed for the city. Ok not every shop has to be watch shops or high end fashion, and we have a good mix of food outlets and Boots and Sainsburys.

 

[Stranger]

I saw a similar headline for Larry Ellison buying up Oxford but again was behind a paywall.

What annoys me is the tat shops on cornmarket selling imitation Harry Potter stuff. Can’t the colleges or council or whoever own these premises lease them out to respectable high street stores ?

I felt embarrassed for the city. Ok not every shop has to be watch shops or high end fashion, and we have a good mix of food outlets and Boots and Sainsburys.

I suspect that a lot of retailers can't afford the rent and rates that city centre premises charge, that's why you get these tat shops that are almost certainly fronts for money laundering (ditto all the various barbers and nail bars that appear to be everywhere)

 

[Orkney Islands Yellow]

Long Live The Local

2,700 pubs have closed permanently in the last 2 years. Help stop more closing by signing the petition.

www.longlivethelocal.pub

 

[MarkG]

Long Live The Local

2,700 pubs have closed permanently in the last 2 years. Help stop more closing by signing the petition.

www.longlivethelocal.pub

I think also an issue is the raise in national living wage or minimum wage. Plus employers NIC rates going up.

 

[Cass63]

I suspect that a lot of retailers can't afford the rent and rates that city centre premises charge, that's why you get these tat shops that are almost certainly fronts for money laundering (ditto all the various barbers and nail bars that appear to be everywhere)

What ? Money laundering going on on the high streets all over the land, surely the police and local councils can stop this illegal activity.
Oh no, they’ve got better things to do.