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The Oxford Bar, Edinburgh
Edinburgh
EH2 4JB
Pub Type
Greene KingReviews (Current Rating Average: 7½ of 10) see review guidelines
Old Boots left this review about The Oxford Bar
Obviously made famous by Ian Rankin and his Rebus novels although it’s a few years since the telly adaptation was on so trading on that is probably a diminishing game. I suspect that won’t matter due to its local following, I nearly knocked one local over opening the door and I couldn’t get anywhere near the clips to see what was on, fortunately I just spotted a Jarl clip. The front bar was rammed early Friday evening and the rear room was fairly full too, the back room by the way makes a very poor use of space and furnishings. I think the historic interior is just the front bar, the rear bar hosts photo exhibitions which are rather good. Anyway the beer quality was well up to standard.
On 28th January 2024
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3276 recommendations about 2982 pubs]
Real Ale Ray left this review about The Oxford Bar
A splendid back street locals pub and also a listed pub for its Historic interior. The Manageress was very welcoming and friendly and her cask ales were all in excellent condition. She also took great pride in us admiring her pub and gave us a couple of bookmarks with the pub depiction on them.
This pub is small and it was great to get in here early to have a beer. On handpump Stewart Pentland IPA, Edinburgh Gold, Jack Back and Fyne Ales Jarl.
On 15th July 2023
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3382 recommendations about 3381 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Blackthorn _ left this review about The Oxford Bar
Well known as the regular haunt of Inspector Rebus from the popular novels, this is located down a quiet side street and unlikely to attract much in the way of random passing trade, but presumably does well enough due to it’s literary connection as well as the locals.
Internally it’s divided in to two halves, with the smaller half to the left containing the bar counter and a couple of adjoining rooms to the right. The left-hand half is actually fairly small with limited seating options. Paintwork is mostly pale yellow with dark wood panelling on the lower part of the walls and there were various old black and white pictures and branded mirrors on the walls. A shelf housed a small collection of books including dictionaries, film guides and beer guides. The adjoining rooms to the right felt a little cosier with a slightly deeper shade of yellow paint and much colourful artwork which looked as though it may have been for sale. A small brick fireplace was off to one side and a tiny TV mounted on a shelf up in the corner, although fortunately this was not in use on our visit. Padded bench seating was around much of the perimeter with tables and chairs elsewhere.
Unfortunately, despite four hand pumps on the bar, none were in use. Three had pump clips reversed, whilst the fourth appeared unused. I queried this with the barmaid who muttered something about a “delivery due tomorrow”. Even worse, there was no cider on tap. Overall, I was a bit disappointed with this, it felt a little shabby in places and the lack of any beer did nothing to improve my disposition towards it.
On 18th November 2022
- rating: 5
[User has posted 1953 recommendations about 1866 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Ian Mapp left this review about The Oxford Bar
Thought for a minute it had been gentrified but the paint job extended only as far as the exterior.
Exactly as I remember it and yes, I am a touristy Rebus fan here for the fiction.
Intimidating, rough around the edges and I wouldn't change a thing about it.
Visit blogged at http://bit.ly/2rTWydn
On 25th May 2017
- rating: 8
[User has posted 277 recommendations about 276 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The Oxford Bar
Charming no-frills backstreet (well, as backstreet as this area gets) local, which seems pretty unaltered over the last 60-odd years. Enter to an extremely cramped lower bar (about 5ft wide), a real hub of the pub where everyone wants to hang out and chat but makes getting to the bar and ordering your drink a very tricky business. Off to right up some steps is a larger seating area with wooden pews, marble effect lino floor and sadly unused fireplace. Of interest here is a framed section of the flagpole at Murrayfield that came down in 2002. Toilets have a 1930's look. Four ales; GK Fireside, Stewart's Pentland IPA (soapy tasting but decent nick), Inveralmond Ossian (very good nick) and Deuchars IPA. A neat little place, though you really need to time your visit carefully to avoid any form of crowd. For fact fans, it’s the place where Ian Rankin’s Inspector Rebus drinks. Also amusingly a few yards down the street from the Cambridge Bar. And they say Oxbridge bias is a problem in England... 7.5
On 25th January 2016
- rating: 7
[User has posted 5117 recommendations about 5100 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Peter Rydings left this review about The Oxford Bar
We found this a nice little pub friendly people had a good Chat and a laugh with them four hand pulls worth a visit
On 9th August 2014
- rating: 7
[User has posted 948 recommendations about 917 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Oxford Bar
Inconspicuous building in the less-touristy part of the New Town. Small bar area, with a side room up several steps with a very pungent fire. Basic furniture and very limited decor. Four handpumps, with a reasonable beer selection including Scottish Borders Game Bird (£3.40). Overall, I would be happy to give it another try (but on a warmer day with less risk of getting smoked out).
On 2nd February 2013
- rating: 6
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
hondo . left this review about The Oxford Bar
Located on a side street in the new town area of the city centre. Old style pub with quite a plain interior. A small bar area at the entrance serves 4 real ales with a seating area up a small flight of stairs.
On 4th December 2012
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 2883 recommendations about 2820 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Danny O'Revey left this review about The Oxford Bar
A bare real ale watering hole in the new town, near the small shops on Rose Street.
Rather basic there is a small fromt room and another to the side, all bare board wood chairs and tables. Whilst not comfortable or large it has a nice rustic feel and I liked its atmosphere, despite (or maybe because) visiting in a quiet period. The beer quality is superb.
On 25th April 2012
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1456 recommendations about 1434 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
David Ross left this review about The Oxford Bar
Two friends and I visited this place because author Ian Rankin drinks here and it features in his Inspector Rebus novels. With just us and three other customers in the main bar, it was positively crowded, so we moved through to the snug at the side. It’s not much bigger, but at least there was room for us to sit down around a table. Very basically decorated, it nevertheless has a certain quaint charm and looks as if it hasn’t changed much for several decades. Cold filled rolls and three real ales on sale, at reasonable prices given that it’s in the capital’s new town tourist area. Just don’t go in as part of a big crowd on a stag or hen night: there won’t be enough space for you all.
On 24th March 2011
- rating: 9
[User has posted 769 recommendations about 683 pubs]