Quick info
About The Old Bookbinders Ale House
On Victor St in Oxford, The Old Bookbinders Ale House is a pub set in a 19th-century building with a traditional interior. The menu takes a French-influenced approach, with a French-style burger alongside the standard pub range, and vegetarian and vegan options sit on the menu too. Green King brand beers are served rather than craft beer. It operates on a walk-in basis, and a table can be hard to come by at busy times.
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Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention french-style burger, onion soup, vegan options and goat cheese tart.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention french-style burger, onion soup, vegan options and goat cheese tart.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often single out the food, with a French-leaning menu that includes a goat cheese and vegetable tart, sea bass, a bunless French-style burger and an onion soup starter. One reviewer's daughter had a choice of three vegan options and ate most of hers. Close behind is the staff, described as friendly and efficient, with one server checking allergen questions with the kitchen and a manager patient with a late-arriving family and a fractious toddler. Several praise the cosy, atmospheric interior and well-kept beer, and one calls it a proper pubby pub. The recurring catches are getting a table, with one reviewer saying to book, and pricey food and drinks according to a vegetarian-only diner. One visitor who walked twenty minutes for interesting beer found only the usual Green King line-up and no craft beer. Another warns that an outdoor seat is wonky.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often single out the food, with a French-leaning menu that includes a goat cheese and vegetable tart, sea bass, a bunless French-style burger and an onion soup starter. One reviewer's daughter had a choice of three vegan options and ate most of hers. Close behind is the staff, described as friendly and efficient, with one server checking allergen questions with the kitchen and a manager patient with a late-arriving family and a fractious toddler. Several praise the cosy, atmospheric interior and well-kept beer, and one calls it a proper pubby pub. The recurring catches are getting a table, with one reviewer saying to book, and pricey food and drinks according to a vegetarian-only diner. One visitor who walked twenty minutes for interesting beer found only the usual Green King line-up and no craft beer. Another warns that an outdoor seat is wonky.
Featured reviews
- Google user
“The best looking interior in Oxford. Proper pubby pub and just £4 for a bottle of peroni. Beware when sitting outside one of the seats is a bit wonky and will make you go "oOoh" as you sit down.”
- Google user
“Updated: You are right, one star is mean, I changed to 3 because of a lovely staff and beautiful pub. As I mentioned staff and atmosphere is great but it's a green king in disguise. No craft beer is there! I walked for 20minutes to try some interesting beer and it was the usual green king line up. Very disappointed 😞”
- Google user
“The location is a bit off the main road in Jericho but is worth going to. Always a good ambience with people around. That being said, both drinks and food are quite pricey for what it is, although I have to disclaim that I have only tried the vegetarian meals. The onion soup (= starter) would be my main recommendation.”
- Google user
“Great. Such good food and great atmosphere. Love it.”
- Google user
“I cannot praise the staff here enough. The manager was patience personified after we arrived late with a fractious toddler. The food is delicious. Perfectly cooked and seasoned but what makes it special is my daughter had a choice of 3 vegan options!! So good by the time I went to photograph it she’d eaten most of it. It’s very cosy and atmospheric inside and very popular so book. Despite living in London we will return but not via the woeful Park and Ride.”
Hours
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
- Closed
Good to know
“Cosy 19th-century pub with a traditional interior and a French-influenced menu.”
- AccessibilityWheelchair: entrance
Amenities
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
Location
Bars near The Old Bookbinders Ale House
- The Gardeners Arms4.51,0530.3 mi
vegan menu options, pub garden, mushroom pie
- The Oxford Retreat4.21,2410.4 mi
fish and chips, riverside garden patio, lamb shank
- Lamb and Flag4.41,3150.5 miWheelchair accessible
craft beer selection, real ale cask pumps, outdoor seating in laneway
| Place | Rating | Distance | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Old Bookbinders Ale HouseWheelchair accessible | 4.71,372 | — | french-style burger, onion soup, vegan options |
| The Gardeners Arms | 4.51,053 | 0.3 mi | vegan menu options, pub garden, mushroom pie |
| The Oxford Retreat | 4.21,241 | 0.4 mi | fish and chips, riverside garden patio, lamb shank |
| Lamb and FlagWheelchair accessible | 4.41,315 | 0.5 mi | craft beer selection, real ale cask pumps, outdoor seating in laneway |
The 3 nearest bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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