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The Jolly Farmers, Oxford

20 Paradise Street
Oxford
OX1 1LD

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Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6½ of 10) Add Review see review guidelines

Moby Duck left this review about The Jolly Farmers

A second visit here simply because I forgot to leave a review first time around a few years ago. An old looking building with some sloping walls, and indeed it dates from the 17 century. Inside there are several areas with the bar to the rear and raised up a level. A well known gay community pub with some reference to the fact with a couple of event posters and some rainbow colouring, but nothing in your face and welcome to all whatever path you tread.
Two handpumps serving Shotover Trinity and Prospect, I tried the Trinity which was almost undrinkable and obviously gone, changed without quibble for the Prospect which was in good condition.
Not a pub I'd visit on a regular basis but nice enough.

On 29th June 2025 - rating: 6
[User has posted 2210 recommendations about 2176 pubs]

Please Note: This review is over a year old.

Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Jolly Farmers

New entry in the 2024 Good Beer Guide, so this will doubtless broaden its appeal (although I understand that this well-known LGBTQ+ pub has always welcomed everyone). It's an interesting old building too, with three small seating areas along the frontage and a slightly raised bar at the back, all looking very traditional. Surprisingly perhaps, given its recent recognition, there are only a pair of handpumps on the counter, dispensing Oxford Brewery's Shotover Prospect and Oxford Blue from Chadlington (£5.90 with a packet of peanuts).

On 25th February 2024 - rating: 7
[User has posted 8813 recommendations about 8813 pubs]

Please Note: This review is over a year old.

Ian Mapp left this review about The Jolly Farmers

Popped in, as the nearest pub to our hotel (the castle) is closed on Sundays.

Very higgledy-piggledy interior - with small rooms over multiple floors with exposed woodwork.

The big of the rooms was around the log burner, with a collection of fine wing back chesterfields.

An unexplored beer garden.

Two real ales on and the Otter Bitter was in decent condition.

Only seeing these reviews have I noticed it is a gay pub.

On 1st March 2022 - rating: 7
[User has posted 1655 recommendations about 1632 pubs]

Please Note: This review is over a year old.

Tris C left this review about The Jolly Farmers

A first in here the other night despite not being gay.
The building looks to be quite historic, with some attractive exposed stone. The multi-level interior is a bit eclectic too, looking historic with some exposed beams that could be impressively old. There’s some wood panelling but this appears to be modern. The carpet is part boarded and part carpeted. Furniture comprises some Chesterfields and chairs clad in black vinyl. Lighting comes from some sconce lights by night with daylight penetrating from above courtesy of a Velux skylight. Décor comes in the form of some old prints of Oxford to the walls. Naturally there’s a jukebox and playing gay anthems too: muted Boney M, Samantha Fox, Bonnie Tyler and of course no evening would be complete without a round of Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s Relax.
A very friendly barman working the pumps, with at least two real ales: the bar was somewhat obscured by customers, so I didn’t see if anything from the Two Cocks Brewery was on sale, as claimed by CAMRA, but there were two from the Loose Cannon Brewery – Abingdon Bridge and Firebrand at a reasonable £3.70 a pint but a wee bit off.
Next door to the Castle, we quite liked the historic interior and atmosphere in here but would expect it to be a lot more frenzied during term time and on a Friday or Saturday night when the five-day midnight licence extends to 2.00 am.

On 15th March 2018 - rating: 6
[User has posted 2266 recommendations about 2218 pubs]

Please Note: This review is over a year old.

Quinno _ left this review about The Jolly Farmers

Well-established gay pub, with a mix of genre types. Located in an aged building with some old rickety bits inside but ostensibly modern in ambience. Two pumps, Two Cocks Cavalier (ho ho) which was rather cold and lacking a bit of sparkle plus Old Rosie cider. As to expected on a Friday night, it was dim (though some candles were scattered about) with loud music. Nice relaxed atmosphere inside. Paved garden to the rear which the landlord has plans for, earwigging in on a conversation. Been in a few gay pubs over the years (mainly by accident!) and this is one of the better ones even if it isn’t somewhere I’d want to go back to on a basic beery level.

On 20th May 2014 - rating: 6
[User has posted 5657 recommendations about 5638 pubs]