The Bell, Bicester

To the left of the entrance to the Bell is a well-trodden wooden floor with pew seating and old wooden tables. Towards the rear is a step up to a flagstone floored bar with a wood panelled serving counter up the right and tables up the left. another step leads up to a raised seating area at the rear where an exposed brock fireplace and dartboard sit on the rear wall. I popped my head into the empty right-hand bar to find a pool table and more seating. Regular live music is advertised, this does feel like a live rock/metal music venue. The service was friendly and there was a good crowd of friendly locals sat around the counter. The three hand pumps were drawing JW Lees Dragon Fire, Castle Rock’s Elsie Mo and Animal XT Brewing’s Hop Kitty. Premium keg was also available alongside Fosters. This isn’t the most comfortable pub, but I was made to feel welcome so I’d pop back in again if passing.

Facebook page of The Bell - www.facebook.com

Official site of The Bell - www.thebellbicester.com

Facebook page of The Bell - www.facebook.com

Official site of The Bell - www.thebellbicester.com

This no frills boozer at the edge of Bicester's pedestrianized area was the last to open yesterday. However, despite arriving shortly after its 4pm opening, somebody else had managed to beat me in. I was welcomed by a barking dog. But then so were everybody else. A few people were arriving with instruments. Whilst they didn't appear to be part of a band, the pub clearly has a focus on live music. There are 2 large rooms, which are basically furnished and are around a large central bar. TVs were on, as staff and customers eagerly awaited news of the latest Coronavirus restrictions. Bombardier & Landlord were the only real ales which was very disappointing considering this place was the only pub in Bicester making it to the 2020 Good Beer Guide.

A former Hobgoblin and you can tell. Internally it’s two long narrow rooms in a rectangle round an island bar. The left side had pool and pinball. The right side is the ‘rock’ part of the pub - flagstone floor, undressed rough stone, dark and a general dingy music vibe including the jukebox. Decent rear garden. Friendly locals in situ. Live music advertised. Three pumps with three ales on; Wye Valley HPA (warm and sweetcorn tasting), Hobgoblin and Box Steam Sandcaskale (fine), both served in a Guinness glass. It was worth looking in but I expected more on the beer quality and attention front given it’s GBG listed. 6.5

The Bell is the only pub in Bicester listed in the 2017 Good Beer Guide. Inside it appears to be old with a low beamed ceiling, wooden floors and flagstones around the bar. on the right is an area with a Pool and Pinball Table while the left side is the main bar area with a mix of tables benches and stools. There is a stage at the end of this side as it's a music venue on Friday and Saturday nights. A poster advertising the "Shot Of The Week" seemed an odd thing to see in a GBG listed pub. Their was a heavy Rock soundtrack playing in the background. The place was virtually empty on my Thursday afternoon visit. There are only three hand pumps which as this was once a Hobgoblin included that, Wye Valley Butty Bach and XT 6. I went for the XT 6 (£3.90) which is their Red Ale and was in good nick but expensive. I really didn't think their was anything special about this place and wouldn't return.