Wig & Pen, Oxford

Substantial Greene King city-centre pub of no particular distinction, and with a rather anonymous semi-modern refurbishment, but certainly no worse than several other chain establishments in the vicinity. The interior feels quite spacious, with relatively high ceilings under the mezzanine, and even more in the central bar area. With four of the six handpumps in use, I found the inevitable IPA and Abbot plus Old Golden Hen and the seasonal False Nine (£5.20).

This is a shop conversion dating from 1996, the current name applied by Greedy Kerching in 2013. Ordinarily I wouldn’t visit a pub conversion, let alone one run by GK but on Boxing Day, this along with the two ‘spoons was the only choice. It’s a large semi-modern affair, well described below. Customers were either townies or the audience, pouring in from having watched Mamma Mia! at the New Theatre, opposite. The ale line-up was predictable, with Old Tripe, GK IPA, Rocking Rudolph, Abbot, with salvation in the form of Landlord and Tribute at a reasonable (for Oxford) £4.60 a pint and not half bad. This place makes for an emergency meetup place when all the other nice pubs are closed, but otherwise it’s not worth any special effort.

A big Greene King city centre circuit pub with an upstairs balcony added under the high ceiling. It didn't seem too bad on a quiet afternoon but is probably better avoided on Friday nights. Just GK ales on (IPA, Abbot, House Ale and Old Trip) but the condition was ok.

Huge, cavernous and noisy Greene King pub , the six handpumps offered no guest beers just an unexciting trio of Abbot, IPA and "Wig & Pen Bitter. I decided on a Bevertown Neck Oil the best of the keg available. Not a great place.

Official site of Wig & Pen - www.greeneking-pubs.co.uk

Official site of Wig & Pen - www.greeneking-pubs.co.uk