This is the proposed route for the New Years Day Oxford Pub Crawl. Link to Google Map. I have short listed 15 pubs. I don’t suppose that we will manage them all!
The Bookbinders Arms
Even by Oxford pub standards, the Old Bookbinders Ale House is a bit out of the ordinary. Allegedly the Bookbinders was once one of eighteen pubs in the Jericho area of Oxford (not counting Walton Street), it is now one of only three. Enjoying a reputation for quality real ales, excellent pub grub and the odd quirk or two, we are well worth seeking out in the back streets of historic Jericho, just a short walk from Oxford town centre or a relaxed ten minute walk along the canal from the railway station.
17-18 Victor Street, Oxford OX2 6BT, United Kingdom, 01865 553 549
Open on New Years Day: ?
Jude The Obscure
Formerly Oxford’s only theatre pub. Now a medium-sized, average pub with outdoor seating in a suntrap courtyard. Sunday roasts.
54 Walton Street, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX2 6AE, United Kingdom 01865 557 309
Confirmed as opening on New Years Day: YES
The Royal Oak
42-44 Woodstock Road, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX2 6HT, United Kingdom – 01865 310 187
Confirmed as opening on New Years Day: YES 🙂
Eagle & Child
In the 1940s and 50s, C.S. Lewis was a member of a small group of like-minded friends called "The Inklings." They met the Eagle and Child Pub on St. Giles Street in Oxford to discuss literature, writing, religion and life. Another prominent member of the Inklings was Lewis’ Catholic friend J.R.R. Tolkien; discussions at this pub contributed to the final form of both Lewis’ Narnia’ books and Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings series. A memorial plaque is on a wall in the middle of the pub near the bar, along with a couple portraits and a framed paper bearing the signatures of Lewis, Tolkien, and other Inklings, saying they had drunk to the landlord’s health.
In addition to its historic and literary value, the Eagle and Child is also a pleasant place to stop for a pint and good pub food. This long, narrow pub is where Tolkien, C.S Lewis and other Inklings used to drink for 30 years or so. Sunday lunches are excellent.
49 Saint Giles, Oxford, OX1 3LU, United Kingdom 01865 302 925
Opening New Years Day: until 8pm
Lamb & Flag
The pub is a favoured location of Oxford students and lies just north of St Johns College, who manage it. The Lamb & Flag Passage runs through the south side of the building, connecting St Giles with Museum Road, where there is an entrance to Keble College to the rear of the pub.
It is believed that Thomas Hardy wrote much of his novel Jude the Obscure in this pub. In the novel, the city of Christminster is a thinly-disguised Oxford, and it is thought that a pub that appears in certain passages of the novel is based on The Lamb & Flag.
12 Saint Giles, Oxford OX1 3JS, United Kingdom 01865 515 787
Opening on New Years Day: ?
Kings Arms
Dating from 1607, the pub is set among the university buildings of central Oxford and owned by Wadham Colledge, with students housed on the upper floors. Internally, a warren of rooms includes two bars and much wood panelling. A popular local myth has it that the KA has the highest IQ per square foot of any pub or bar in the world. Known as the KA to all who visit it frequently this is an Oxford institution. Fairly old Youngs pub complete with pictures of the Queen Mother and Prince Charles pulling pints in this very pub.
40 Holywell Street, Oxford, OX1 3SP, United Kingdom – 01865 242 369
Confirmed as opening New Years Day: midday – midnight 🙂
The Turf Tavern
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7 Bath Place, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1 3SU, United Kingdom – 01865 243 235
Confirmed as Opening on New Years Day: CLOSED 😦
White Horse
The White Horse has many claims, which include being one of Oxfords smallest, oldest and most famous pubs as well as Inspector Morse’s favourite haunts. Sir Winston Churchill and Bill Clinton are also reputed to have called The White Horse ‘their local’ when they have stayed in Oxford.
The Grade II listed 16th-century city centre pub has a single long and narrow bar and a small snug at the rear. The pub regularly features in Inspector Morse and more recently the Oxford Murders.
52 Broad Street, Oxford, OX1 3BB, United Kingdom – 01865 ??? ???
Confirmed as opening on New Years Day: ?
Copa
With 13 international biers on show, it fails to disappoint many people. Unlike many of Oxfords posh bars this one tends to be well priced considering they import a lot of their beer and wine.
Only here as a backup.
Copa: 9-13 George Street, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1 2AU, United Kingdom – 01865 246 906
Confirmed as opening on New Years Day: YES
The Grapes
nice place to go as opposite the New Theatre so if your off to see a show can pop in for a quick one. has real character to it, but can get heavingly busy. Not a wine bar, and is one of the few pub type pubs in the centre of town.
Nice to find a proper city pub outside of the great range you find in London. Traditional interior, proper range of beers and ales and the food is not only excellent but really well priced. Split into booths and with the lovely woodwork and leather this is a great find in the city centre and is just opposite the theatre who’s parifinalia deck the walls of the grapes – Fab
Only here as a backup.
The Grapes: 7 George Street, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1 2AT, United Kingdom – 01865 793 380
Opening on New Years Day: ?
The Turl
“Access Turl Street down that ‘market’ alley way.”
Turl Street is a street in Oxford, England. It is located in the city centre, linking Broad Street at the north and High Street at the south. It is colloquially known as The Turl and runs past three of Oxford’s colleges: Exeter, Jesus and Lincoln. It meets the High Street by the early 18th century All Saints church, now the library of Lincoln College. To the west are Ship Street and Market Street, north and south of Jesus College respectively, both leading to the busy Cornmarket, a pedestrianised shopping street. To the east is Brasenose Lane, between Exeter College and Lincoln College, leading to the historic Radcliffe Square.
According to Wikipedia: Turl Street is the subject of an obscure ecclesiastical joke, based on its location. "In what way is the Church of England like the Turl? It runs from the High to the Broad and goes straight past Jesus."
17 High Street, Oxford OX1 3DR, United Kingdom 01865 244 563
Opening on New Years Day: YES
The Bear Inn
“It’s down that street.”
The Bear Inn (or just "The Bear") is one of the oldest public houses in Oxford, England, dating back to 1242. It stands on the corner of Alfred Street and Blue Boar Street, opposite Bear Lane in the centre of Oxford, just north of Christ Church.
The original Bear was a coaching inn on an adjacent site, closer to the High Street. It had previously been called Parne Hall and Le Tabard, but adopted its present name in the 15th century, after either a bear pit on site or the bear and ragged staff on the crest of Richard Neville, the Earl of Warwick.
It was especially fashionable in the 17th century, when judges and royal commissioners were among the patrons. The heir to the throne in Denmark visited in 1652. When it closed in 1801, there were over thirty bedrooms, with stabling for a similar number of horses.
The present building was built in the early 17th century as the residence of the inns ostler. It was converted into a separate tavern, The Jolly Trooper, in 1774, and took over the name of the Bear when the other inn closed.
A distinctive feature of the Bear is a collection of over 4,500 snippets of decorative ties, started in the 1950s, and given by customers (some famous) in exchange for a pint of beer. These are displayed in glass-fronted cases on the walls and even the (low) ceiling. The ties mostly indicate membership of clubs, sports teams, schools and colleges, etc.
Note: The courtyard outside is an excellent spot for people watching/perving over the totty in late summer.
6 Alfred Street, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1 4EH, United Kingdom, 01865 728 164
Confirmed as opening on New Years Day: YES 🙂
The Wheatsheaf
“Down that alley in between Starbucks and Northern Rock” (Northern Rock could now be something else!)
They quite often have gigs or comedy shows or something going on. On these nights it can be very busy. Try and check whats on before going. The beers and lagers are good as there is a large-ish selection.
morse voor een voor engelse begrippen redelijke Oxford is een mooie stad en het bezoeken zeker waard, op zaterdag is er ook de inspector morse tour. na een pint (halve liter)beer te hebben besteld kregen wij toch wel honger, dus bestelden wij typisch engels eten oa ham and egg’s.
129 High Street, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1 4DF, United Kingdom -01865 721 156
Opening on New Years Day: 3pm – 8pm
The Old Tom
If you look around for a classic pub in Oxford, The Old Tom has been sitting in that spot since the 1700’s. It look like an English Pub, smells like an English Pub and has the history of a true English Pub. But walk in and you’ll find that the menu isn’t quite what you expect. You’ll find that the fish & chips are there, but not much else in terms of your hearty pub food. Instead you’ll see that the majority of the food is Thai.
101 Saint Aldate’s, Oxford OX1 1BT, United Kingdom 01865 243 034
Opening on New Years Day: ?
Head of the River Pub
Head of the River is a very popular traditional inn, bar and restaurant set in a stunning location overlooking the River Thames.
1 Folly Bridge, Oxford, OX1 4JU, United Kingdom – 01865 721 600
Opening on New Years Day: YES
Alex & Jo Preston 
