Quick info
About The Star
On Rectory Rd in Oxford, The Star is an independent free house pub that pairs New York style pizzas with real ales and craft beer. The beer list also includes Beamish and German beers, and the pub appears in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide. Inside, the furnishings are old. Out back, a large beer garden catches the sun into the evening, and the pub hosts live music. Dogs are welcome.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- AccessibilityWheelchair: entrance
- Good for kidsGood for kids
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Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention pizza, beer garden, beer selection and live music.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention pizza, beer garden, beer selection and live music.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often single out the pizza, calling it "really good" and "incredible", with the beer selection close behind, including Beamish as an alternative to Guinness, German beers and real ale. The big back garden gets repeated praise, described as lovely and sunny into the evening, while inside is called cosy with old furnishings. Live music and a lively, friendly atmosphere come up too, and one reviewer says the bartender immediately helped with a wheelchair-bound relative. The main complaint is crowding. The pub is described as very student focused and crazy busy late in the week, and one reviewer says getting drinks takes quite a while. Another was puzzled by the "don't wait at the bar" rule, asking how they were meant to wait for a drink. It also gets proper loud later in the evening, and one reviewer docked a star because the loos were slightly lacking. Several still end up calling it a favourite pub, with the garden in summer and the cosy inside in winter.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often single out the pizza, calling it "really good" and "incredible", with the beer selection close behind, including Beamish as an alternative to Guinness, German beers and real ale. The big back garden gets repeated praise, described as lovely and sunny into the evening, while inside is called cosy with old furnishings. Live music and a lively, friendly atmosphere come up too, and one reviewer says the bartender immediately helped with a wheelchair-bound relative. The main complaint is crowding. The pub is described as very student focused and crazy busy late in the week, and one reviewer says getting drinks takes quite a while. Another was puzzled by the "don't wait at the bar" rule, asking how they were meant to wait for a drink. It also gets proper loud later in the evening, and one reviewer docked a star because the loos were slightly lacking. Several still end up calling it a favourite pub, with the garden in summer and the cosy inside in winter.
Featured reviews
- Ricardo M
“Great place with good beers, they have Beamish a great alternative to Guiness and great German beers. Good pizza and very lively vibe with a good and quite big beer garden. Very student focus so tend to be busy and getting drinks takes quite a while”
- Megan Harber
“Had a really nice visit to The Star in Oxford. It has a proper classic pub feel with a relaxed atmosphere that makes it easy to settle in for a drink and a bite to eat. The interior feels cosy without being cramped, and there is a good mix of locals and visitors which gives it a friendly, lived in vibe. The food was simple but well done, and the drinks came out quickly with helpful service from the staff throughout. A solid spot if you want a no fuss pub that still has plenty of character. This review was made in connection with a Toast promotion.”
- Jay Adams
“Top 3 pub in Oxford. Could be the best. New Pizza is really good, and the garden is lovely and gets the sun into the evening. Crazy busy late week as with all good spots. Really nice friendly service, all people welcome. Gets proper loud later in the evening.”
- Rikke Puggaard-Rode
“Great pizzas, nice selection of beer, good vibes, kind staff - lovely neighborhood place with big garden for the sunny days”
- Keith Ibsen
“One of my favourite pubs in Oxford. It has a lively and friendly atmosphere, as well as a good selection of beers. I haven't tried the food yet, but it looks good. In summer, have a few in the garden - in winter, stay cosy inside.”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Highlights
“Independent Free House pub. Excellent New York style pizzas. Craft beer. Real Ales. Featured in CAMRA good beer guide.”
- Bar games
- Great beer selection
- Live music
- Live performances
- Popular for solo dining
- Happy hour drinks
Amenities
- Wi-Fi
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Accepts reservations
- Outdoor seating
- Dogs allowed
- Takeout
Show more amenities
- Dine-in
- Good for kids
- Bar games
- Cozy
- Beer
- Food
- Offerings· 4
- Alcohol
- Happy hour drinks
- Hard liquor
- Wine
- Popular for· 1
- Solo dining
- Highlights· 3
- Great beer selection
- Live music
- Live performances
- Atmosphere· 2
- Casual
- Trendy
- Dining options· 1
- Seating
- Facilities· 1
- Restroom
- Crowd· 3
- Groups
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Transgender safespace
Location
Bars near The Star
- The Fir Tree Pub4.54550.3 mi£10–20
thin crust pizza, buy one get one half off happy hour, vegan Sunday roast
- The Rusty Bicycle4.51,4040.5 mi
pizza with crispy sourdough base, burgers, weekday deal
- The Royal Blenheim4.58950.9 miWheelchair accessible
titanic cask ales, keg and nitro beers, board games
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The StarReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.5612 | — | £10–20 | pizza, beer garden, beer selection |
| The Fir Tree Pub | 4.5455 | 0.3 mi | £10–20 | thin crust pizza, buy one get one half off happy hour, vegan Sunday roast |
| The Rusty Bicycle | 4.51,404 | 0.5 mi | — | pizza with crispy sourdough base, burgers, weekday deal |
| The Royal BlenheimWheelchair accessible | 4.5895 | 0.9 mi | — | titanic cask ales, keg and nitro beers, board games |
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