Quick info
About The Penny Black
The Penny Black is a Wetherspoon pub in Bicester, housed in a brick building that was once a post office, at 58 Sheep St. Indoor fireplaces sit beside some of the tables, so diners can eat next to a real fire. A raised area holds booths, and the main room has plenty of other seating. The kitchen serves a full English breakfast with a veggie version, along with gourmet burgers and freshly made pizzas. A long bar pours a wide variety of beers on tap, alongside real ales, craft beers and gins. Customers order through the Wetherspoon app, and the staff bring the food to the table. Food and drink combo deals round out the menu.
Good to know
- ParkingPaid parking lot
- AccessibilityWheelchair: entrance, restroom
- Good for kidsGood for kids
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Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention beers on tap, full English breakfast, outdoor area at back and fireplace seating.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention beers on tap, full English breakfast, outdoor area at back and fireplace seating.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often single out the quick table service, including a veggie breakfast ordered through the app and brought to the table, even when the pub is packed. Close behind is the cheap, good-value food and drink: a full English breakfast, nice coffee, a wide range of beers on tap and combo deals that suited one family stopping in from Bicester Village. The building earns praise as a classic brick pub on the high street, with booths, a raised seating area and plenty of tables outside at the back. The complaints are specific. One diner waited a long time on a busy weekday night for food that arrived only warm, in a portion they felt had shrunk. Another found most tables uncleared in a half-empty pub. A couple of visitors describe sitting by the natural fires as the most relaxing part of their stay.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often single out the quick table service, including a veggie breakfast ordered through the app and brought to the table, even when the pub is packed. Close behind is the cheap, good-value food and drink: a full English breakfast, nice coffee, a wide range of beers on tap and combo deals that suited one family stopping in from Bicester Village. The building earns praise as a classic brick pub on the high street, with booths, a raised seating area and plenty of tables outside at the back. The complaints are specific. One diner waited a long time on a busy weekday night for food that arrived only warm, in a portion they felt had shrunk. Another found most tables uncleared in a half-empty pub. A couple of visitors describe sitting by the natural fires as the most relaxing part of their stay.
Featured reviews
- Shakib Firzli
“Food and service are good. I gave them 3 stars because of the cleanliness. Came in at a time where pub was half empty and almost all tables were not cleared and the one I we found had crumbs all over. What does it take to wipe a table!”
- Jez Nash
“The Penny Black is a really good Wetherspoons in Bicester town centre. The building itself is lovely, classic brick pub right on the high street. Inside is spacious with a long bar and plenty of seating, including a nice raised area with booths. The outdoor area at the back is great in summer with lots of tables and chairs. Food and drinks are cheap as always and service is quick. A solid Spoons.”
- Singh Gurjit
“So far, this is the best Wetherspoon I’ve visited. It’s a great place with a wide variety of beers on tap, so there’s something for everyone’s taste. They also have some really good food and drink combo deals. I was visiting Bicester Village with my family and stopped in here while they were shopping. It turned out to be a great decision—I enjoyed some good food and drinks, and had a relaxing time. The atmosphere was lively and perfect for catching up with friends. Even though the place was packed and almost every table was occupied, the service was quick. Everything was served fresh and tasted great. I’d definitely visit again when I’m in the area.”
- Paul Smith
“Nice pub in Bicester.Service was good and the pub itself was in good condition and well maintained. It was quite busy for a weekday night. Unfortunately the food did not arrive for some time and when it did was only warm.The portion was adequate but clearly has downsized due to the current costings crisis. Overall it was a good experience but not as good as previous visits to Wetherspoons pubs.”
- Adrieli Roman
“One of the best Wetherspoons I’ve visited. The service was excellent, and I really appreciated how nicely the food was presented. The place was very clean and well organised. I left very happy, highly recommend.”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Highlights
“The pub is open for breakfast until 12 noon and offers free refills (all day every day) on tea and Lavazza coffee. For lunch and dinner, there are lighter bites, with deli deal options and vegetarian choices, gourmet burgers and freshly made pizzas. Wetherspoon has championed a wide range of drinks, including real ales, craft beers, gins and soft drinks. Table service is available via the Wetherspoon app, using our unlimited free Wi-Fi. This pub has step-free access.”
- Great beer selection
- Great cocktails
- Great wine list
- Sports
- Popular for solo dining
Amenities
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Paid parking lot
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Good for kids
- Food at bar
Show more amenities
- Casual
- Onsite services
- Beer
- Food
- Sports
- Solo dining
- Offerings· 4
- Alcohol
- Cocktails
- Hard liquor
- Wine
- Accessibility· 1
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Highlights· 3
- Great beer selection
- Great cocktails
- Great wine list
- Facilities· 1
- Restroom
- Dining options· 2
- Seating
- Table service
- Crowd· 2
- Groups
- Tourists
Location
Bars near The Penny Black
- 0.2 miWheelchair accessible
burgers, beer and cider, pub rooms
- The Acorn4.03,0120.5 mi£10–20ReservationsWheelchair accessibleOutdoor seating
chloe as a server, traditional pub food, helpful and friendly service
- White Horse4.25840.6 miReservationsWheelchair accessibleOutdoor seating
chicken wings, loaded nachos, steak
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Penny BlackWheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating · Good for kids | 4.02,009 | — | £10–20 | beers on tap, full English breakfast, outdoor area at back |
| The Olive Tree At The Plough, BicesterWheelchair accessible | 4.3847 | 0.2 mi | — | burgers, beer and cider, pub rooms |
| The AcornReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.03,012 | 0.5 mi | £10–20 | chloe as a server, traditional pub food, helpful and friendly service |
| White HorseReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.2584 | 0.6 mi | — | chicken wings, loaded nachos, steak |
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