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Leeze me on Drink! It gies us mair,then either school or college,
It ken'les wit, it waukens lear, it pangs us fou o'knowledge 

Robert Burns (1759 - 1796)

With the exception of the new pubs that have opened recently in George Street, you will probably find that most of the pubs in Oxford's centre are centuries old and full of character. And many have entertained some of Britain's most famous writers, politicians and celebrities, from William Shakespeare to Tony Blair.  (And, of course, Inspector Morse!) Sadly, Oxford's only brewery was closed in 1998 after more than 400 years of beer production. However, the Morrells brand lives on and is still hugely popular in Oxford. In recent times, the familiar Varsity, Graduate and Oxford Blue labels have been supplemented by such fine brews as 'Old Don' and 'Pickled Proctor'.   What follows is a selection of our favourite Oxford pubs, all painstakingly researched and re-researched for the benefit of our readers!		Pub Ratings:	Don't leave Oxford without visiting! Most certainly worth a visit Pop in if it's raining Pop in if it's raining very heavily
		Etiquette:  Pub Food:	There is no table service, so you will need to go to the bar to get served. Pub bars are the only place on the planet where the British do not form a queue. Stand at the bar looking slightly anxious and clearly holding a ten pound note for best results. In some pubs, you will see a large bell at the end of the bar. We do not recommend that you ring this for service! Most pubs in Oxford serve food, but it is usually of the recently thawed and freshly microwaved variety. However, it is generally good value for money and sometimes, just sometimes, can be very tasty too!
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Disagree with our ratings? Have we failed to included your favourite
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The Kings Arms 40 Holywell Street	Established in 1607 as a coaching house, and named after King James I, this is one of Oxford's most lively pubs. Popular with both tourists and students, it serves an extensive range of Young's real ales, wines and whiskies. The food is good, plentiful and reasonably priced and there is a no-smoking room at the front. The walls are adorned with pictures of locals, past an present - see if you can spot the picture of the Queen Mum with handbag in one hand and a pint of Young's Best Bitter in the other!
The White Horse Broad Street	This narrow pub is situated opposite the Sheldonian Theatre, nestled between two entrances to Blackwell's famous bookshop. Though a bit cramped, it has a friendly and welcoming  atmosphere and is well known for attracting some of the  University's more eccentric characters. A good selection of real ales is available and, for those that are interested in such things, it was a favourite pub of the TV detective 'Inspector Morse'.
The Grapes 7 George Street	This traditional Victorian pub is so narrow that you may feel as though you are in the buffet car of a crowded train at times. The walls are adorned with dark wood paneling, but you may not be able to see that far through the smoke on busy nights. However, if you are having an evening out at the Apollo theatre across the road, you can pre-order your interval drinks at the bar.
Eagle and Child 49 St Giles	Affectionately known to locals as the 'Bird and Baby', this famous old pub is a hotchpotch tiny, old fashioned rooms which lead eventually to a large conservatory area at the rear. One of Oxford's oldest pubs, it acted as the lodgings of the Chancellor of the Exchequer during the English Civil War (1642 - 49), when Oxford was the Royalist capital. More recently, it was the celebrated meeting place of famous authors. The writers C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkein and C. Williams, who formed their own literary group called the Inklings, used to meet in the back room (the "Rabbit Room") every Tuesday morning from 1939-1962.
Lamb and Flag 12 St Giles	Situated on the opposite side of St Giles to the Eagle and Child, the Lamb and Flag is over 500 years old and has the tiny rooms and oak beamed ceilings to prove it. Like the Eagle and Child opposite, the Lamb and Flag also has a literary claim to fame. Thomas Hardy is supposed to have written parts of his novel Jude the Obscure at the pub and indeed the obscure tavern in a rough place referred to near the end of the book is none other than the Lamb and Flag Inn itself. The pub is very popular with students, especially after seminars on Thursday and Friday evenings when the conversation can be frighteningly intellectual - but you will still win the Thursday night pub quiz if you are over thirty and watch enough TV! On a cold winter day, try a pint of Theakstons 'Old Peculiar Ale' to warm up!
The Old Tom St. Aldate's	Few Oxford pubs attract such an even blend of townsfolk and students as the Old Tom. Named after the bell in Christ Church college's Tom Tower opposite, the pub has undergone several recent refurbishments but has not changed a bit! It is a great place to get a feel for the atmosphere of 'real' Oxford and the perfect place to try a pint of Morrells beer.
The Bear Alfred Street	Located as it is between Christ Church and Oriel Colleges, the Bear tends to be well frequented by students - especially of the rugby playing, beer drinking type. It is famous in Oxford for it's underwhelming collection of about five thousand ties which hang in glass cases from the walls and ceilings. Reputedly built over a bear pit in 1242, the pub is one of the oldest in Oxford.
Crown Inn Cornmarket Street	There is nothing very special at all about this pub, apart from the legend that surrounds the visits of one William Shakespeare. The famous bard was in the habit of breaking his journey between Stratford-upon-Avon and London by staying at the Crown Inn and was, by all accounts, on very good terms with the landlord. But he was on even better terms with the landlord's wife Jane Davenant (whom some believe is the 'Dark Lady' of The Sonnets) and is widely believed to have fathered her son . . . . . William.
The Wheatsheaf Wheatsheaf Yard	The Wheatsheaf is situated down a small snicket called Wheatsheaf Yard off the High Street. It is a lively, basically furnished student pub with old fashioned wooden beams alongside noisy slot machines. Home cooked food is available lunchtimes and evenings. There is a weekly Latin American night (Friday) and Jazz night (Wednesday).
The Turf 4 Bath Place (off Holywell Street)	One of Oxford's best known pubs, the Turf is also the hardest to find. Located down a narrow, winding alley opposite the Holywell Music Room in Holywell Street, the pub dates back to the 13th century and serves a huge range of traditional real ales. The pub itself is quite small and poky inside, but there is a large beer garden which is very popular during the summer. The only problem with the pub is that it can take an age to get served during busy periods.
Rosie O'Gradys 1 Park End Street	An Irish-style theme bar located near the Oxford Canal. Irish memorabilia adorn the walls and Irish music fills the air but, best of all, the bar staff are trained in the art of pouring a pint of Guinness! There is a fine selection of Irish beers and the food menu is varied and inexpensive. A small, sunny patio area overlooks the canal.