The Waterside Bar @ GF Social Club, Banbury

Official site of The Waterside Bar @ GF Social Club - www.gfsocialclub.co.uk

Official site of The Waterside Bar @ GF Social Club - www.gfsocialclub.co.uk

The GF Social Club was once aligned to the General Foods factory in Banbury, but it is now an independent club with a ballroom, snooker room and other facilities, including the Waterside Bar. I was enticed into this Waterside Bar by a sign outside inviting passers-by and canal users in for a drink. I got there just after last orders and the closing of the till at 15:30 on a recent Wednesday afternoon, but the very friendly staff still served me because I had the correct change for half a generic lager. Madri was also available alongside Doom Bar on cask from the wood panelled serving counter that runs up the right-hand wall. Rounded banquettes run opposite the counter up the left-hand wall and a couple of rows of tables and chairs run up the centre in between. There are more rounded banquettes on the left and right-hand walls at the rear either side of a square parquet floored dance floor that is overlooked by a stage on the rear wall. The social club vibe is very evident, but the options for a drink around Castle Quay aren’t exactly brimming over so I think this is a good option for a quiet pint if there’s no time to wander any further.