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Disappointment of the week with Gann
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The Gardeners Arms, Jericho, Oxford
Oxford
OX2 6JE
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7½ of 10) see review guidelines
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Gardeners Arms
Charming side street pub, greatly benefitting from finally ditching the Covid-era table service rules. Comprises two rooms, with the bar to the right of the entrance and a slightly larger dining room on the other side, with both parts traditionally furnished and decorated. With three of the four handpumps in use, I found Goff's Jester Brew 28 Glacier Pale, Hongi from Little Ox and Oxford Brewery's Let the Dragon see the Wolf (£5.30) in action.
On 25th February 2024
- rating: 7
[User has posted 8092 recommendations about 8092 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about The Gardeners Arms
I have to agree with Ian, below. This was once by far and away one of the best pubs in Oxford, but the landlord has stated in an article he submitted to the Oxford Drinker, that table-only service is here to stay - a sign at the bar apprises the prospective customer that conventional pub practices do not apply - meaning that in effect, this is now a restaurant with just two real ales.
I won't be returning either. Shame.
On 19th August 2022
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 1983 recommendations about 1949 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Ian Mapp left this review about The Gardeners Arms
Good Beer Guide 2021 entry.
Greeted at the door by a thick rope. You have to wait for a server to come and show you to a table.
This maybe because it is primarily a vegan restaurant, rather than a drinking pub. Put me off before I even went in, if I am honest.
Everyone else in there was eating but the XT Animal RoadRunner was a decent pint. A pubby look and feel but not a pubby experience.
I wouldn't return.
On 2nd November 2021
- rating: 5
[User has posted 1337 recommendations about 1323 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Moby Duck left this review about The Gardeners Arms
Now upgraded from 8 to 9/10
July 2015
A very appealing back street pub, and unchanged from the previous reviews. Wantsome Montgomery,XT4, North Cotswold Summer Solstice and my choice of Box Clever Soul Train which was in good form. A great little must visit pub.
On 2nd July 2019
- rating: 9
[User has posted 1871 recommendations about 1844 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Thuck Phat left this review about The Gardeners Arms
Another characterful Jericho boozer which has been much visited and reviewed.
Our Wednesday evening visit found a very popular curry night in progress and the food smelt and looked good. With the emphasis on vegetarian it certainly attracted the crowds.
Beers on were: Loose Cannon Recoil, Box Horse Box, London Hoppit and Ringwood Old Thumper. A decent range and the Recoil slid down easily enough.
Worth dropping in to see and to see what's on.
On 22nd March 2018
- rating: 7
[User has posted 679 recommendations about 678 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about The Gardeners Arms
A first in here on our PuG crawl last July and I've certainly missed out over the 23-year on/off time spent in Oxford.
Nicely described below with the two room format, one lined with books and both topped with vinyl album covers published over the last 50-odd years. There's a small bar with some copper pipe shelving to the rear and there are some internal beams with a bare floor and traditional furniture. There's a long thin rear garden with traditional outhouse lavatories. Food is served but it's 100% vegan/vegetarian. Clients are a mixed bunch; academics and ordinary (for Jericho) locals - this pub is sufficiently off the beaten track to be missed out by tourists though is home to at least one annual 'steampunk' festival.
Despite making two return visits since July, I can't remember what I drank, but I do know that the ales were on top form though attracted Jericho prices.
The pub's website describes the staff as friendly for which I normally read 'miserable bastards'. But it's true! The staff here genuinely are friendly, even at the end of the day (the pub has a very welcome 12.00 am licence Monday to Saturday and 11.00 pm on Sunday).
This is a superb little pub and worth more than a detour as I would describe this as an Oxford destination, made all the better when combined with the Rose & Crown and Victoria in between.
My only criticism? My pickled onion was slimy which is unpardonable - a pickled onion should be identified by its sharp crunch.
On 5th September 2016
- rating: 9
[User has posted 1983 recommendations about 1949 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve of N21 left this review about The Gardeners Arms
The Oxford area of Jericho has some very good back street corner pubs and first time to visit this one. As mentioned by other reviewers it retains two traditional wood floored and wood panelled front sections as you enter the front door. The small bar serving area is housed in the right section and the left is larger and has a corridor leading to the very pleasant outside garden area. It was a fine weather day for our visit so the outside space was being well utilised at the expense of the internal rooms. So our party were able to utilise the left hand room and take in the collection of classic vinyl album covers and the large collection of beer pump clips that adorn the upper wall space of both rooms.
Four beers available from the pimps on the small bar and for our visit these were North Cotwold Brewery Summer Solstice, Wantsum Brewery Montgomery, Box Clever Ales Soul train and a very pleasant XT4.
Really enjoyed it here and will not hesitate to return when next in Jericho.
On 7th August 2016
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2110 recommendations about 1992 pubs]
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Real Ale Ray left this review about The Gardeners Arms
A well run traditional pub, with a colourful bloom of hanging baskets out front, makes this pub very appealing. The pub also has a large beer garden out the back and is popular with home cooked food. I went for the North Cotswold Summer Solstice, which was one of my favourite beers on the day's crawl. A great pub and well worth the walk out of the city.
On 27th July 2016
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3382 recommendations about 3381 pubs]
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Bucking Fastard left this review about The Gardeners Arms
A very charming Jericho street corner pub,my favourite on an extended crawl.It retains two sections from the front door both with wooden floors,to the left rectangular and leading to a rear room,to the right the bar with more traditional round and oblong tables and chairs.Very popular with students who all seem to be attracted to the left side,leaving the bar uncluttered.In both sections there is a high shelf with a collection of classic vinyl album covers,a pretty original and well thought out display.The pub has been well known for vegan and vegetarian food since reopening in 2003 and at most reasonable prices even students could manage.Free newspapers were another nice touch and the large collection of pump clips indicates a changing real ale lineup.On my trip that meant White Horse Dragon Hill,Springhead Robin Hood,Brakspears Bitter,Kite Bluestone Bitter (very decent) with a further handpump devoted to Rosie's Pig Cider.A decent real ale selection without any premiership brewers but respectable for Oxford.
The pub retains a great atmosphere,everything you could hope for in Jericho and is very genuine.Very well worth a visit,I will be back.
On 23rd January 2015
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2727 recommendations about 2727 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The Gardeners Arms
Revisited twice - have found the decent-sized rear room (wood panelled) as well as the decent-sized grassed garden. The veggie food was selling well and portion sizes looked good and on my last visit got to try some; very nice it was too. Up to four ales on in good nick. I do like this place and have upped my mark. Well-worth the walk and as previously stated, close enough (5 mins, if that) from the Rose & Crown to make a great double-header.
April 2014
Classic Oxford backstreet local. Inside looks to have had two rooms knocked through at some stage though there’s still enough partition to not make it open plan. Left hand side has full-length wood panelling. Mention elsewhere of a rear room with bar billiards but I didn’t spot it. Classic LP covers for décor. Nice atmosphere inside if perhaps a little quiet. Selection of papers available, plus a DVD and book exchange. Five pumps sporting four ales; Ringwood 49er, Marstons SMASH (good nick), White Horse Lippizzaner and Loose Cannon (spluttered and died) as well as Thatchers Heritage cider. Staff quite a leftfield bunch, the chap behind the bar was waistcoated, looked like Lawrence Llewellyn-Bowen’s brother. Pickled onions and eggs behind the bar (45p an egg). Hot food available, veggie stuff but I didn’t look at the menu too closely though has garnered praise elsewhere. Apparently there’s a rear garden but I missed it. Good little stop, this one and is only a few minutes from the Rose & Crown as well. Not to be confused with the Gardeners Arms in North Parade. Rated 7
On 1st October 2014
- rating: 8
[User has posted 5072 recommendations about 5055 pubs]