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Beer of the Week (w/e 27th April 2025) with Thuck Phat
on the Pub Forum
Detail Pages
The Chester, Oxford
Oxford
OX4 1SN
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 5½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about The Chester Arms
A first in here the other night to what describes itself not as a pub, but a Hub. Whatever. This is a detached building towards the bottom of sleepy Chester Street, the type of place that you won't have a hope of finding unless you know where to look. So not a Hub then. On approach, the first thing that alerts you to its presence is the sheer noise of conversation coming from the beer garden. On entering, you notice the attractive Hall's leaded stained glass door surround before you happen on a chilled cat, washing herself on the bare boarded floor with customers using her as a mini roundabout.
As mentioned, this is quite a trendy place both in terms of customers and furniture which comprises a mix of pew, plywood and tubular steel chairs and stools.
We got off to a bad start with a somewhat aloof barman furnishing drinkers with tasters before serving us after a five-minute wait. We came close to walking.
Around six craft ales on keg, thereafter two unused pumps then just Ilkley's Crossroads at £1.95 a half and fine.
This pub scores an extra point for the cat protecting me from dogs and kids, but the limited ale choice and poor service, whilst not a deterrent, merits the comment: Could do better.
On 30th August 2017
- rating: 5
[User has posted 2208 recommendations about 2165 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The Chester Arms
An achingly trendy backstreet pub off the Iffley Road. Opened-out and stark, with boarded floors and powder blue painted walls. The stud copperwork bar front was of interest as were the brass light fittings but star of the show was some original Halls stained and leaded glasswork on the entrance surrounds. Large, fairly featureless patio garden to the rear. Food pushed heavily and it’s child-friendly as well. At the bar I was surprised to see four on from Loose Cannon (Gunners, Gold, Atom and Porter). I tried the Porter which was a bit lacking in condition but tasted fine. Also noted a very eclectic keg selection. Not a fan of the pub but the beer range makes it worth a look.
On 9th November 2014
- rating: 6
[User has posted 5552 recommendations about 5533 pubs]