Quick info
About The Bear Inn, Oxford
The Bear Inn, Oxford is a pub at 6 Alfred St in Oxford, with roots going back to 1242 that make it the oldest pub in the city. Walls and ceilings are covered in clipped club and college ties, a tradition that began in 1954 when a landlord clipped patrons' ties in exchange for beer. New donations are no longer accepted. The building itself dates from the 1600s. At the bar, the selection runs across tap beers, lagers, ales and ciders. The kitchen cooks dishes such as fish and chips, a Sunday roast beef lunch and a classic burger, with sticky toffee pudding for dessert. A marquee and The Den are used for events. Dogs are welcome, so owners can bring them along.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingParking
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Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention fish and chips, clipped club ties, sticky toffee pudding and outdoor garden.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention fish and chips, clipped club ties, sticky toffee pudding and outdoor garden.
Customer Review Summary
Fish and chips draw the most praise, described as crispy, flaky and hot, with triple-cooked chips and a flavorful tartare sauce, and one diner calls the sticky toffee pudding the best they have had. Close behind are the cheeseburger and a roast beef Sunday lunch, both called exceptional, while others mention pork, pies, chicken and a burrata in big, tasty portions. Reviewers also single out the beer, with a good range of lagers, ales and taps, and a historic, cozy interior covered in clipped club and college ties. Many describe friendly staff and an outdoor garden they prefer to the small main bar, which one calls boring. The main caveat is one reviewer's mix-up where the online menu did not match the paper menu, and another says the food was nothing exceptional. The server canceled and refunded that order and brought complimentary fries.
Customer Review Summary
Fish and chips draw the most praise, described as crispy, flaky and hot, with triple-cooked chips and a flavorful tartare sauce, and one diner calls the sticky toffee pudding the best they have had. Close behind are the cheeseburger and a roast beef Sunday lunch, both called exceptional, while others mention pork, pies, chicken and a burrata in big, tasty portions. Reviewers also single out the beer, with a good range of lagers, ales and taps, and a historic, cozy interior covered in clipped club and college ties. Many describe friendly staff and an outdoor garden they prefer to the small main bar, which one calls boring. The main caveat is one reviewer's mix-up where the online menu did not match the paper menu, and another says the food was nothing exceptional. The server canceled and refunded that order and brought complimentary fries.
Featured reviews
- Dai Tree
“A great time at the Bear inn Oxford. Super time at the height of the monsoon (Bank Holiday Weekend) All weather organised by the Met Office, knackering bank holidays for over 100 years! It is all going on, live music all weekend, also a cider festival occurring in The Den, by the marquee. Well done to all the staff, especially Izzy, looking after the bar like a proper trooper. Great visit.”
- Camilo Saraiva
“Very good traditional pub with a great atmosphere and good beer. The food is nothing exceptional, but the excellent service more than makes up for it. There was a mix-up with my first order because the online menu was outdated and didn’t match the current paper menu. The server handled it perfectly—promptly canceled and refunded the order, and even brought me complimentary fries. Very professional and much appreciated.”
- Stephen Wincott
“Great little pub, just set back off the high street. Full of character, with a quirky interior and friendly staff. We sat indoors and had a roast beef Sunday lunch and a classis burger and both were exceptional. Great selection of lagers and ales. Whilst the pub is cosy, they have a sizable garden space round the side mainly undercover. Highly recommend 👍”
- June Wong
“This pub has been around a very long time and I can see why. It is super popular and the reputation is well-deserved. My fish and chips were perfect. The fish was crispy, hot, and very flaky. The chips were perfect as well, triple cooked, so they were nice and crispy outside and fluffy inside. Their tartare sauce was incredible as well with lots of flavor. The cheeseburger was also very good. For dessert, we shared a sticky toffee pudding. Wow, just wow! Fluffy, and not rock hard. Perfect texture and perfect temperature. This was easily the best sticky toffee pudding I’ve ever had.”
- Mauricio Chiong
“We visited for the FA Cup Final and was an amazing experience! Food was delicious and massive, specially the Fish&Chips. Good beer and great service too!”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Highlights
“The Bear is the oldest pub(1242) in Oxford and a hidden gem,tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the High Street. Students, locals and tourists drop in to enjoy a great pint and home-cooked food.”
- Great beer selection
- Live music
- Live performances
- Popular for solo dining
Amenities
- Wi-Fi
- Parking
- Accepts reservations
- Outdoor seating
- Dogs allowed
- Dine-in
Show more amenities
- Food at bar
- Cozy
- Onsite services
- Beer
- Food
- Free water refills
- Offerings· 4
- Alcohol
- Cocktails
- Hard liquor
- Wine
- Popular for· 1
- Solo dining
- Dining options· 1
- Seating
- Highlights· 3
- Great beer selection
- Live music
- Live performances
- Facilities· 1
- Restroom
- Atmosphere· 2
- Casual
- Trendy
- Crowd· 2
- Groups
- Tourists
Location
Bars near The Bear Inn, Oxford
- The Chequers4.32,0340 mi£10–30ReservationsWi-Fi
pies, fish and chips, courtyard seating
- St Aldates Tavern4.21,4100.1 mi£10–20ReservationsWheelchair accessible
burger, crispy chips, fish and chips
- The Royal Blenheim4.58950.2 miWheelchair accessible
titanic cask ales, keg and nitro beers, board games
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Bear Inn, OxfordReservations · Outdoor seating · Wi-Fi | 4.42,381 | — | £20–30 | fish and chips, clipped club ties, sticky toffee pudding |
| The ChequersReservations · Wi-Fi | 4.32,034 | 0 mi | £10–30 | pies, fish and chips, courtyard seating |
| St Aldates TavernReservations · Wheelchair accessible | 4.21,410 | 0.1 mi | £10–20 | burger, crispy chips, fish and chips |
| The Royal BlenheimWheelchair accessible | 4.5895 | 0.2 mi | — | titanic cask ales, keg and nitro beers, board games |
The 3 nearest bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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