Clubs, Pubs and Bars

CluBs, PuBs , and Bars - The Lifestyle Team MT22

Oxford has a wide variety of venues contributing to the bustling night life of the city! These are just a select few of the clubs, pubs and bars in Oxford, but you’ll quickly discover the wealth of places to explore!

• Park end (atIk) This is probably the most popular club, particularly on a Wednesday (which is student night despite the cheaper on ‘Broke Mondays’). It has a number of large floors, with a favourite being the underground ‘cheese floor’, where they play exclusively feel-good hits - think endless ABBA and Spice Girls.

• BrIdge Most popular on a student Thursday and a favourite of our senior editor, Bridge has a more enclosed feel than ATIK which makes it a better club for socialising. It has three dance floors and features a large outdoor smoking area, which is a great place to hang out and an ideal spot for bops.

• Plush Deep into Cornmarket Street and tucked just out of sight can be found Plush, an underground LGBTQ+ bar and club. This is most often visited on a Tuesday (‘Tuesgays’), with the LGBTQ+ Society hosting drinks at a different college every week beforehand.

• the BullIngdon CluB (BullY) Bully is further out than the other clubs, located on Cowley Road, a 15/20 minute walk from Cornmarket Street.

Bully often features different themed nights such as Fluorescent Adolescent or Call Me Maybe but the trek often calls for a 3am taxi back to college.

Oxford’s extensive pub list means you’ll always be within a stone’s throw from one:

• Turf Tavern - down an alleyway under the Bridge of Sighs, prepare yourself for “an education in intoxication” at one of the most aesthetically pleasing pubs in Oxford. Not only is their food phenomenally good but Turf prides itself on their extensive list of famous figures who have visited their bar - from David Bowie to Stephen Hawking and

President Bill Clinton.

• Four Candles and Swan and Castle - both located a 5 minute walk from the highstreet, these are our beloved Wetherspoons. Whilst Four Candles is heavily dominated by students and ideal for pre or after drinks,

Swan and Castle offers outdoor seating and is opposite Junkyard Golf if you fancy a tipsy game.

• The Kings Arms - it’s impossible to miss The Kings Arms and as a bright pink pub they make sure of that. Not only does this pub boast a lot of history, built in 1607, but it is a perfect spot for different societies’ socials.

• The Castle - a little underrated, this pub sits opposite Westgate

Shopping Centre and next to Swan and Castle, however it arguably has the best G&T in Oxford. Furthermore, its underground seating area is ideal for large student groups who can get a little loud on a night out.

• the varsItY CluB - located next to the Covered Market, this is a great place to go both in the day and at night, spanning a number of floors. Drinks are a little pricey but with a dance floor, lounge and a rooftop bar with panoramic views of Oxford, you should definitely go at least once.

• Freud - a much more sophisticated vibe, Freud features a great cocktail list and is set in a beautiful old church on Walton Street. It doubles up as an events venue having previously hosted masquerade balls and fashion shows, this is one place you don’t want to miss!

• the mad hatter - located on Cowley Road, the Mad Hatter is a favourite of many, renowned for its Alice in Wonderland theme. Entrance requires you answer a riddle correctly, and once you’re in you’ll be sipping cocktails from teacups or taking part in a karaoke night - what’s not to love?!

• the house - located on Blue Boar Street and Christ Church students’ local, The House offers a sophisticated vibe, perfect for birthdays and other special occasions. They have happy hours every day, discounted drinks for members of The Oxford Union and the cocktails are delicious!

BOPs (Big Organized Parties) are a central part of the social scene at Oxford. They are organised by your college’s Entz Reps (Entertainment Representatives) and include all college members, so they are great for socialising and getting into costumes that centre around different BOP themes. Past themes include ‘70s vs Seven Seas’, ‘Pirates, Pilots and Pixies’, and ‘Wild West vs Under Arrest’. Some Entz Reps from different colleges even work together and organise joint BOPs, another great way to meet other members of the University. One of the biggest bops the last academic year was the ‘Seven Deadly Sins’ BOP in which the seven colleges whose names include ‘Saint’ had a collaborative bop - a highlight of first year! Most Entz Reps are open to hearing your ideas for possible themes and appreciate your input, they just want to make sure everyone enjoys themselves. BOPs are fun, inclusive, and will soon become one of your favourite social events while studying here.

sharkIng

Although Fresher’s week is generally a positive experience, for many, going to university will involve your first time clubbing, there are some less than idyllic aspects which every fresher should be aware of. ‘Sharking’, refers to a situation in which older students prey on inexperienced younger students in order to make sexual advances. This is frequently (but not always!) older male students who make it into a game to target female students. It is something which, unfortunately, happens every year, and you may feel pressured to do something you don’t want to.

sPIkIng

‘Spiking’ is when someone gives you alcohol or a drug without your knowledge, most commonly by slipping it into your drink. This can happen at any bar or club - not just university.

• go WIth a grouP , and trY to stICk together - if you notice your friend has disappeared unannounced, try to look for them or contact them. Girls make sure to go to the bathroom together and take your drinks with you!

• sImIlarlY , keeP an eYe on Your FrIends - if they seem uncomfortable at any point, or if you notice anyone getting a bit too close, reach out to them and maybe go elsewhere, never leave the club without the entire group.

• turn Your loCatIon on For someone You trust - this has proved invaluable for me, with me and my friends having turned on our ‘Find my iPhone’ location in case someone wanders off on a night out.

• Charge Your Phone - ensure your phone is fully (or at least 80%) charged before you go out, so that you can keep in contact with your friends, call someone in an emergency, or order a taxi at the end of the night.

• knoW Your lImIts - you want to have a good time, but be aware of the point at which you should stop drinking. Make sure to eat something before you go out or drink milk which protects your stomach during alcohol intake.

• alert seCurItY IF You Feel unComFortaBle .

• keeP an eYe on Your drInk and never leave It unattended - some colleges have drink covers in their Freshers ‘week welcome packs, but if not these are easily accessible online, and some come in the form of a scrunchie which you can keep on your wrist! If you forget to take this with you, make sure you keep your palm over your drink whenever you are dancing.

these tIPs shoulDn ’ t be necessarY but , unFortunatelY , theY are .