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Disappointment of the week with Mobyduck
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Detail Pages
The Cowley Retreat, Oxford
Oxford
OX4 1UE
Pub Type
Punch TavernsReviews (Current Rating Average: 4½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve C left this review about The Cowley Retreat
The Cowley Retreat has a bar counter on the front right wall facing a wide column and high table. Sofa and banquettes are found in the front left and there’s a mix of seating up the left wall. During a recent Thursday evening visit the televisions were off while some 1980s background music played. Premium keg is available from the bar along with some Beavertown and Carlsberg. I noted four hand pumps that were drawing Sharp’s Doom Bar (x2), and St Austell’s Tribute with the fourth being unused. This isn’t somewhere I’d go out of my way to revisit.
On 27th December 2022
- rating: 5
[User has posted 5233 recommendations about 5201 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about The Cowley Retreat
A first in here the other day to what was originally the Ampney Cottage and trading by at least the late 19th century, later renamed Hobgoblin with the current name applied in 2012.
It's quite large inside and a bit woody with a slight 'spoons feel to it, thereafter a bit by-the-numbers 21st century pub: ubiquitous blue/grey paintwork, some bare brick, modern boarded floor, white ceiling, mixed furniture with leatherette banquette booths, high/low tables and stools, exposed RSJs, heavy duty chrome hanging lamps, wire caged bulkhead lights to the ceiling and lots of TVs (off). Out back there's an attractive good sized beer patio.
Ales: four reversed clips, then just Gloom and XT3 at £1.90 the half and slightly on the turn.
This is Cowley Road so there's little reason to pay a special visit, but you could do worse if in the area.
On 28th August 2019
- rating: 4
[User has posted 1983 recommendations about 1949 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The Cowley Retreat
Big overhaul from its Hobgoblin days. Fairly corporate and opened out interior, dimly lit. Over-loud music for a weekday evening. Tealights on the tables but not really the clientele to appreciate it. Six pumps with everything reversed bar Brakspear Oxford Gold (which was in good shape) and Westons Old Rosie. Decent sized rear patio with attendant gargoyles overlooking the street. WiFi available. TVs showing muted news, a couple of customers wanting the football were directed by me (the ditzy barmaid was no help) to The Library as they wouldn’t put it on. Plays on the ‘retreat’ moniker but didn't really feel like one to me.
April 2008 [Reviewed as Hobgoblin incarnation]
Useful place to get a couple of jars in before the Zodiac, although the ale selection has always been fairly mainstream and limited when I go (usually end up with Abbott). Does tend to get the odd annoying student in. Not bad for its location, a bit basic inside but maybe that’s part of the charm? Rated 5
On 6th May 2014
- rating: 5
[User has posted 5072 recommendations about 5055 pubs]