Quick info
About The Chequers
The Chequers is a pub at 131 High St in Oxford, set in a historic building with three floors and a courtyard reached through a small alleyway. Inside, a fireplace, flags, shields and wooden beams give the old interior its character. The kitchen serves pies, including steak and ale, alongside grilled Camembert. A Lunch & Drink offer pairs the Nicholson Club Sandwich with fries or salad. The bar pours ales from a wide drinks menu, and several TVs show sport. Dogs are welcome.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingParking
- Good for kidsHas changing table(s)
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Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention pies, fish and chips, courtyard seating and grilled Camembert.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention pies, fish and chips, courtyard seating and grilled Camembert.
Customer Review Summary
Pies are the center for most diners, with the chicken and tarragon singled out as excellent and the steak and ale pie called quite good, while the fish and chips earn praise for large portions and a really nice batter. Close behind is the grilled Camembert and a lunch deal built around a club sandwich with fries and a pint or cider. Reviewers also point to the old, quirky interior with a grand fireplace, flags and wooden beams, plus a courtyard reached down a small alleyway. Staff are described as friendly, welcoming and attentive, and one reviewer credits a single server for keeping drinks flowing through a packed house. Drinks get good marks for well-kept ales and a copious menu, though one reviewer found the draught selection limited and another found the signature peach ice tea too sugary. Complaints include a hot interior without air conditioning, an odour at the entrance, and moldy menus. One reviewer wanted it quieter given the music and sport on TV, and another called the service lacklustre. Several reviewers describe the singing of Spanish music from a neighbouring group as a highlight.
Customer Review Summary
Pies are the center for most diners, with the chicken and tarragon singled out as excellent and the steak and ale pie called quite good, while the fish and chips earn praise for large portions and a really nice batter. Close behind is the grilled Camembert and a lunch deal built around a club sandwich with fries and a pint or cider. Reviewers also point to the old, quirky interior with a grand fireplace, flags and wooden beams, plus a courtyard reached down a small alleyway. Staff are described as friendly, welcoming and attentive, and one reviewer credits a single server for keeping drinks flowing through a packed house. Drinks get good marks for well-kept ales and a copious menu, though one reviewer found the draught selection limited and another found the signature peach ice tea too sugary. Complaints include a hot interior without air conditioning, an odour at the entrance, and moldy menus. One reviewer wanted it quieter given the music and sport on TV, and another called the service lacklustre. Several reviewers describe the singing of Spanish music from a neighbouring group as a highlight.
Featured reviews
- IAIN COOKE
“Great food and service. The pies are all excellent ,particularly the chicken and tarragon.. Fish and chips portions were large and really nice batter . All excellent. We are fairly happy about the usual music and sport on TV in pubs and I think I would have been happier if a bit quieter. Great mixture of customers provide a good atmosphere to this lovely pub.”
- Michael Wheeler
“Lovely historic pub in Oxford. We were sat next to a group of people singing Spanish music which was a fantastic atmosphere. I didn’t have any food, but from what I saw it looked nice !”
- Laureline Lonneu
“Nice enough pub. There were a lot of TV to watch the games. The grilled Camembert was so good! The drinks were nice even if I was disappointed in my « signature ice tea peach » as it was a little glass made with peach tea sirop that was too sugary… The place could benefit from the air conditioning as it was very hot inside. The cleaning could also be improved as some of the menu were moldy and the odour at the entrance almost made us turn around. But isn’t that what a true pub experience is all about?”
- Stephen Nichols
“Came here today for lunch and we had the Lunch & Drink offer, the Nicholson Club Sandwich (which had Grilled Chicken, Bacon, Tomatoes & Salad) served with your choice of Fries or Salad (which we chose Fries) and a choice of drink (which we chose Nicholson’s’ Cider and Peroni) all just for £13.25 which to me is a real good bargain, the food was delish and the little courtyard was very well maintained and a good size too, inside it’s like stepping back in time and gathering by the style and interior, this place must have seen a lot of history through its time, reminds me of a medieval hall with the grand fire place, flags, shields and wooden beaming, absolutely lovely! The toilets were well looked after too! Would fully recommend coming here again, thank you again to all the team!”
- Rhys Bailey
“A real gem of a pub tucked down a side street. Very old and quirky inside and the courtyard outside is a nice place to sit. Had a great choice of drinks for sale and the ales I tried were very good and well kept. Prices were as expected for area and had a very pleasant few hours in here. Would recommend. Cheers”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Highlights
“A staple traditional British pub, The Chequers in Oxford is highly rated for its historic charm and welcoming service. Visitors highlight the excellent selection of proper pints and delicious, classic pub food.”
- Bar games
- Great beer selection
- Great wine list
- Popular for solo dining
Amenities
- Wi-Fi
- Parking
- Accepts reservations
- Dogs allowed
- Dine-in
- Food at bar
Show more amenities
- Cozy
- Onsite services
- Beer
- Food
- Solo dining
- Restroom
- Offerings· 4
- Alcohol
- Cocktails
- Hard liquor
- Wine
- Family-friendly· 1
- Has changing table(s)
- Dining options· 1
- Table service
- Highlights· 3
- Bar games
- Great beer selection
- Great wine list
- Atmosphere· 2
- Casual
- Trendy
- Crowd· 2
- Groups
- Tourists
Location
Bars near The Chequers
- The Bear Inn, Oxford4.42,3810 mi£20–30ReservationsOutdoor seatingWi-Fi
fish and chips, clipped club ties, sticky toffee pudding
- St Aldates Tavern4.21,4100.1 mi£10–20ReservationsWheelchair accessible
burger, crispy chips, fish and chips
- 0.1 mi£20–30
sam smith's beers, digital detox signs, schnitzel and sausages
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The ChequersReservations · Wi-Fi | 4.32,034 | — | £10–30 | pies, fish and chips, courtyard seating |
| The Bear Inn, OxfordReservations · Outdoor seating · Wi-Fi | 4.42,381 | 0 mi | £20–30 | fish and chips, clipped club ties, sticky toffee pudding |
| St Aldates TavernReservations · Wheelchair accessible | 4.21,410 | 0.1 mi | £10–20 | burger, crispy chips, fish and chips |
| The Three Goats Heads Pub | 4.4734 | 0.1 mi | £20–30 | sam smith's beers, digital detox signs, schnitzel and sausages |
The 3 nearest bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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