Turf Tavern

September 21, 2008
A super famous place, old as the hills. I’ve been there twice, in August ’07 and March ’08, and both times they have had a great selection of local craft beers, lots of stuff I’ve never heard of (not being from the area). They were all in top condition. It is a fascinating place architecturally, though I was alone every time I’ve been there, and it is the kind of place that really made me feel alone Not easy to make conversation.

August 16, 2008
Atypically good selection in Oxford. Wonderful cask ales and local and seasonal selections. The location cannot be beat - you really need to know where you’re going to find this place. Lots of students. Great patio. Amusing historical placards outlining future world leaders’ acumen at drinking. (If memory serves, the man who would be the PM of New Zealand had the record for quaffing the fastest yard.) One wall of the place is dates to Roman times. Pretty typical, if competent, pub fare. This was definitely my favorite place to imbibe while at Oxford. Lots of interesting characters and not too many tourists. Try the Old Rosey traditional cider if they have it. It will own you.

July 26, 2008
Sat outside on a lovely summers day. Good quallty beer and the food was good. Was busy all the time.

April 10, 2008
The Turf Tavern, located in the very old city, is one of the qualities pubs of Oxford. It is own by Greene King, which does say much. Attractive atmosphere inside with some small wooden panelled drinking rooms with access to different outdoor sitting areas. Service was alright and so was the food (I had a Vegetarian risotto). No music. Two bars serving each part of the pub. And the best of it all 12 hand pumps with well-kept ales from breweries like Loddon, RCH and Burton Bridge. From my visit on a Friday night until my visit the next Monday afternoon there were new ales on most of the pumps. In other words Turf Tavern is a brilliant pub for real ale drinkers and where you can sip before you sup (visited 14th and 17th March 08).

March 12, 2008
Beers range good, beer quality good, staff attitude stinks (yet again, do barstaff go on a how-to-be-miserable course in this city?). Quaint enough for GK to have not ruined it yet. Outside was like being the garden section of B&Q lots of boards going on about the pubs history- but I prefer the atmosphere not to be simply painted on the walls. Would I come back? Hell, yes: best beer range in Oxford and more rooms yet to explore inside.

February 17, 2008
Large rambling pub with a paved beer garden front and back. The back is overlooked by a splendid church tower and has charcoal burners. It’s down a side alley. Chalk boards tell of the famous incidents here, such as Clinton not inhaling and Bob Hawke downing a yard of ale in 11 seconds - a world record at the time. A Morse pub apparently. Certainly it’s a pub packed with charm, atmosphere, good food, history, uniqueness and an amazing range of beers, including a house beer only available at the pub. Awesome. A top scoring pub.

February 14, 2008
Plenty of space, but it has a maze-like complexity. Sat outside in February thanks to effective braziers. Despite being a GK pub there were a number of guest beers on. Staff were rushed and grumpy. Poor toilets. Overall pleasantly chaotic.

January 21, 2008
Visited in September 2007 on a busy Friday afternoon. Tucked away on an odd side street, this pub’s worth looking for and at with its nook-like low ceilings, tudor-style beams and thick stone walls meandering throughout multiple bustling rooms filled with tables and comfy chairs and fireplace-esque fittings... (You know, typical but quirky Brit-nook-esque.) Friendly but busy waitstaff brought us an excellent lasagna and beef and ale pie. Beer was a great selection of 11 casks, some brewed for the pub, and most were favourable. Should be on your list if you’re nearby.

November 13, 2007
The selection of draught ales here is excellent, but there’s little more than that. Don’t expect a Belgian bierparadise. Quirky, characterful layout. not exactly snug snugs, but certainly some nooks are quite cosy. Helpful staff, and the cellar staff know how to keep their beer. My #1 Oxford venue. Food’s decent pub-grub, and I like my pub-grub!

November 1, 2007 [ Updated September 9, 2008 ]
This place is awesome. Hidden away down a side lane (we were with locals, otherwise, I’d have been screwed). Low ceilings (very low... if you’re over 5’10 watch out). Quirky layout with loads of different nooks to stash yourself away in. Good selection of beer in different styles. A real highlight of my day in Oxford.