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The Wheatsheaf, Oxford

129 High Street
Oxford
OX1 4DF

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Reviews (Current Rating Average: 5 of 10) Add Review see review guidelines


Steve C left this review about The Wheatsheaf

Located down an alley so easy to miss, the Wheatsheaf is a thin pub that had a few born and bred aged Oxford pissheads in during a recent Tuesday evening visit. The bar counter is centrally located and to the right is a dartboard and the left a pool table where the aforementioned locals were giving some bants to each other for cheating and slow play. The music came from the jukebox, mainly rock music that was courtesy of a Hells Angels jacket wearing old boy, maybe he was the barman from my visit back in 2007. The counter supports three hand pumps that were drawing Hook Norton’s Off the Hook, Bombardier and Thatcher’s Stan’s Big Apple. The service was polite, but I didn’t find the atmosphere to be very welcoming, maybe my tastes have changed since my last visit.

On 1st November 2023 - rating: 5
[User has posted 5179 recommendations about 5148 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Tris C left this review about The Wheatsheaf

A return visit since my first and last in the autumn of 1993, so recollections are poor. This isn't a large venue, being relatively long and narrow with a rough boarded floor with rough planking to much of the walls along with some bare brick and a little dark red paint. The overall appearance isn't exactly what I'd describe as a traditional boozer, rather it's more of an American-influenced dive bar. Music from the jukebox is a little loud for comfort but suits the ambience. Furniture is mixed and the clientele was in high spirits. The pub also has a policy of refusing entry to groups on crawls or hen/stag parties.
The friendly barman was dishing up three ales: one I didn't clock, Wychwood's Hobgoblin and Brakspeare's Oxford Gold at £1.90 a half though very insipid and quite cold.
This is an alternative venue for those who like this sort of thing; at least it's different, but it doesn't offer a traditional pub experience and the ale choice was a bit disappointing; it's not really my cup of tea but I wish it well.

On 15th December 2018 - rating: 4
[User has posted 1956 recommendations about 1923 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Quinno _ left this review about The Wheatsheaf

Another of Oxford's narrow alley pubs, this one is a rock outlet. Graffiti on the alley wall gives an insight into the mind of the clientèle. Long and thin inside, though opens out at the end a bit. Dark and spartan in a wood-heavy manner, with a bit of exposed brick and deep red paintwork reminiscent somewhat of the Hobgoblin in Reading before its spruce-up to the Alehouse. Pool and a beaten-up dartboard spotted as well as a loud jukebox with Pixies being the main choice on my visit. Inevitably the Rock/alt crowd made up most of the punters with a smattering of foreign students mixed in creating a lively atmosphere. Weak cloud WiFi, not sure if it was theirs or whether I was leaching from elsewhere. Four ales, Doom Bar, Brakspear Oxford Gold, Hobgoblin (inevitably) and Robinsons Trooper - the Iron Maiden beer of course - which was a little past its best but not too bad for £1.70. Also two Westons ciders available. As a leftfield choice, it's worth looking in.

On 26th May 2014 - rating: 6
[User has posted 5050 recommendations about 5033 pubs]


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Moby Duck left this review about The Wheatsheaf

A well lived in well worn pub,the carpet was shiny in places through wear and tear and lack of cleaning,but for all this it felt like a real boozer.Two bar areas but opened up linking the two, at the far end a pool table and on the wall above a neon light Budweiser sign giving that little corner an American Bar feel,the rest of the pub definitely a traditional English pub.Four ales on Brakespears Best and Oxford Gold plus Wychwood Hobgoblin and Greene King Olde Trip, not overly inspiring but adequate.Would visit again but only if passing which is quite possible being on the high street .

On 12th August 2012 - rating: 6
[User has posted 1868 recommendations about 1841 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Graham Smith left this review about The Wheatsheaf

Located down an alley off of the high street. Usually has a couple of real ales on. Specialises in loud rock music from the juke box. Has a pool table. Live bands play in the room upstairs some evenings. A no frills boozer.

On 11th May 2012 - rating: 5
[User has posted 47 recommendations about 44 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Steve C left this review about The Wheatsheaf

I thought that the Wheatsheaf was a good boozer. The lager was excellent and the Hells angel barman was very friendly. There is a pool table and a couple of quiz machines, but I was mostly thankful for the TV so I could watch the Saturday afternoon football results come in.

It wasn't that busy compared with other pubs around the town centre, but I got very comfortable in here.

On 3rd April 2007 - rating: 7
[User has posted 5179 recommendations about 5148 pubs]