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Disappointment of the week with Mobyduck
on the Pub Forum
Image posted by Graham Coombs
Submitted on Thursday, 2nd June 2022
With picture contributions to 5136 other pubs
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Detail Pages
Tile Shop Ale House, Oxford
Headington
Postal town: Oxford
OX3 7BX
Served areas
Reviews of Tile Shop Ale House (Average Rating: 7 of 10) see review guidelines
Quinno _ left this review about Tile Shop Ale House
A micro just off the main road. A good use of limited space; cushioned bench seating either side with some bright tiling (natch) and nik-naks to make it more homely than the average. 70s MoR on the speakers, so not a puritan micro. Atmosphere a bit flat unfortunately, just us and two other customers on a Saturday afternoon with a non-engaging barman – may well be the same ‘gawping youth’ referenced below, hopefully it’s a bit livelier in the evening. Just two cask plus three keg, I went for the Tring Ridgeway (NBSS 4) at a competitive price. The beer quality means I’d pop back in again en route to the Mason’s but micros really do rely on the guv’nor to set the tone and this one missed the beat. GBG’23 listed, which is fair. 6.5
On 11th May 2023
- rating: 7
[User has posted 5072 recommendations about 5055 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about Tile Shop Ale House
Much has been said below about this micropub; a simple affair with a tiled floor being a nod to its previous use and an obvious Irish flavour. There’s much aeronautical décor, then tiresome St. Patrick’s Day bunting, furniture being mixed with some banquettes. A disabled ‘bathroom’ (no there isn’t) is to the rear, but it’s down a couple of steps, rendering it unfit for purpose; it also opens directly into the room, which is a bit of a turn-off. There are gravity feed casks to the rear, but no menu or pricing, so you have to ask the youth behind the counter what’s on offer and he didn’t seem that knowledgeable; when not serving me, he sat in silence in the bar area, gawping at his phone screen, another barman also sitting in silence, with just me as the only customer on a Friday afternoon, sitting in the chill, a wood burning stove sadly unlit. The other problem with this place are the opening times, closing at just 8.00pm except on Friday and Saturday, 9.00pm; I don’t know why this place wastes money being open during the day with no customers, yet throws away the optimal evening opening times when the many local students will want to use it, taking advantage of what – ‘spoons aside – are the lowest prices in Oxford.
Beers were few in number and seem to gravitate towards Tring, which is hardly local, my Going Loco fine and just £2.20 a half.
The Tile Shop seems a bit confused, like a work in progress. The staff don’t exactly lift the place, the ale choice being limited, with ridiculous opening times, none of which affects the Royal Blenheim in town, not to mention many other fine hostelries.
On 17th March 2023
- rating: 4
[User has posted 1983 recommendations about 1949 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Daniel Lordan left this review about Tile Shop Ale House
This little pub really is a gem The main focus is on locally produced real ale with 1 regular cask,1 rotation guest and 3-keg beers always available. 12 bottled ciders, various wines, spirits and cocktails for those who prefer something different. The ales are served straight from the cask and kept very well and to top national standards. A great place for friends to meet and chat without any of the normal chain-pub distractions. A range of bar snacks are also available. A real must for real ale drinkers and anyone who likes their beer served fresh. Lovely atmosphere and great friendly hosts. The interior floor is the original display floor from when it was a tile shop. Now included in the good beer guide.
On 28th November 2022
- rating: 10
[User has posted 1 recommendations about 1 pubs]
View more reviews of Tile Shop Ale House (5)
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- Official site of Tile Shop Ale House - www.alepub.co.uk
- Facebook page of Tile Shop Ale House - www.facebook.com
- CAMRA WhatPub :: Tile Shop Ale House - whatpub.com
Pub Details
Pub details supplied by members of this site to the best of their knowledge. Please check with pub directly before making a special trip.
- Accommodation : No last updated 28 November 2022 by Daniel Lordan
- Bar Billiards : No last updated 28 November 2022 by Daniel Lordan
- Beer Festivals : Yes last updated 28 November 2022 by Daniel Lordan
- Beer Garden : No - Front patio. - last updated 17 March 2023 by Tris C
- CAMRA Discount : No last updated 28 November 2022 by Daniel Lordan
- Car Park : No last updated 10 May 2023 by Quinno _
- Child Friendly : No last updated 10 May 2023 by Quinno _
- Darts : Yes last updated 12 June 2021 by Komakino .
- Dog Friendly : Yes - As long as well behaved - last updated 28 November 2022 by Daniel Lordan
- Function Room : No last updated 28 November 2022 by Daniel Lordan
- Hot Food : No last updated 11 May 2023 by Quinno _
- Jukebox : Yes last updated 28 November 2022 by Daniel Lordan
- Karaoke : Yes last updated 28 November 2022 by Daniel Lordan
- Live Music : Yes last updated 28 November 2022 by Daniel Lordan
- Live TV Sports : Yes - Major events only - last updated 28 November 2022 by Daniel Lordan
- Micropub : Yes last updated 28 November 2022 by Daniel Lordan
- Pinball : No last updated 28 November 2022 by Daniel Lordan
- Pool Table : No last updated 28 November 2022 by Daniel Lordan
- Quiz Night : Yes last updated 28 November 2022 by Daniel Lordan
- Real Ale : Yes last updated 10 May 2023 by Quinno _
- Real Cider : Yes last updated 10 May 2023 by Quinno _
- Wheelchair Access : Yes - But steps down to it. - last updated 17 March 2023 by Tris C
- WiFi : No last updated 17 March 2023 by Tris C
