Another wonderful old character pub in Oxford and a must visit for any English pub lover. Good selection of fullers ales on taps and a great outdoor drinking area. The inside has low ceilings and small rooms with plenty of character - but she can be a bit of a squeeze.
Adrian Sunter
The white wine we were served was in fact watered down wine. This was exchanged for proper wine, but I have to say that this is a very very concerning event. I suggest you test your drink before leaving the bar.
Maya
Looks lovely and in a good location but the food is below average and disappointingly small portions, especially for the price. The pub interior is charming and characterful, but not many seats inside so you'll likely sit outdoors. A nice central place to stop for a drink, but if you're looking for a meal I'd recommend trying elsewhere. Fairly expensive (I paid £17 for a vegetarian pie & mash which turned out to be underwhelmingly small), but I guess that's central Oxford prices.Vegetarian options: Vegetable & couscous tagine; sweet potato & goats cheese pie
Neil Russell-Bates
Sadly disappointing experience. We had to pre-book and pay a deposit which is fair enough only to be told a couple of days beforehand that no Sunday roast would be available with little chance of getting booked in elsewhere. After having ordered and paid for the food we were told it would be a 45 minute wait for it. Food was distinctly average and portions were small so one can only guess at how small the "small portion" options would have been. Go for the old pub experience and to see the amazing collection of cut-off ties and enjoy the decent beer, but maybe give the food a miss.
Travel21621855575
Popped in for quick pint on a Friday evening was a bit busy so didn't get a good look around but was a nice traditional pub low ceilings uneven floors etc. Did take a while to get served but think that was more to do with some foreign visitors not understanding how a British Bar works queuing etc but staff were polite and friendly and there was a good selection of beers. Would definitely call again just maybe at a quieter time.
Marcus O'Donnell
A cute, cosy and historic pub in the heart of Oxford's City centre. Real Old pubs with low ceilings, snugs, exposed wood beams and tightly packed seating areas are really charming and enjoyable. The atmosphere is hard to replicate and modern pubs that try to artificially create this look and feel usually fail. I'd recommend the Bear, and if you can get a seat inside on a busy weekend and enjoy a few of their fine ales then you'll be in good company. Cheers ?
Manu
The only thing special on this pub is, that it is said to be the oldest pub in oxford. Otherwise it is really overprized (for a pint and a half pint 12.50 pounds) and the toilets are totally disgusting. Not clean, strong urine smell and not possible to sit down. If it would have been a public toilet i totally would have expected that, but please not in a pub.
Lydia Nicholas
Decent amount of completely unseasoned, flavourless food.Asked for mustard, told they were nearly out so could only give a squirt. I think the white stuff was supposed to be cauliflower cheese but it tasted of water. They were running low on potatoes by 1pm. No seasoning or sauce on the veg. Gravy was ok.Lovely place for a pint, friendly staff but just don't go for the Sunday roast.
Ryan Thorpe
A must visit Pub if in Oxford.Only small but makes up for it in character and great staff.Good selection of ales, the one I had chosen had just ran out and I had already paid but let me have an alternative with higher gravity at no extra cost (Thank You!).Offer to bring drinks to you while you find a seat in or outdoors.
Darryl Mark
The oldest pub in Oxford, this is a small two room set up with a bar area on side and a more intimate snug type room the other. The latter has a fireplace and is also adorned, famously, with cabinets full of ties. The pub itself has thankfully retained most original fittings and feels historic still. It gets very busy on a Friday and Saturday night and so the outdoor yard areas are a good addition. I noticed they had craft beer from the Beavertown brewery as well.The real ale is generally from Fuller's fayre and included a very pleasant session ale of the IPA style. There was also a guest ale on. The real ale was well kept and in good condition.Honourable mention to the landlord who is a very friendly and welcoming figure, something you don't always see in tourist areas.
Put the Bear Inn on your list of places to experience. Love the history behind this great InnIf only the walls could talk. We online stopped by for a drink so can't comment on the food. Good selection of ales and loved the cidar. Take care if visiting the Ladies. Narrow sloping stairway, and it's wasn't because of the cidar...lol. The neckties adorning the walls and ceiling must have taken years to collect.
Mark Harrison
Great atmosphere if you happen to bag one of the few tables, windowsills and/or stools inside. Otherwise you can drink Fullers outside in a fairly lacklustre seating environment that no doubt livens up (I have witnessed this) on a busy evening. When we went there on a mid-afternoon in July 2023 it was too busy to accommodate us inside but the outside area could have been anywhere. The staff were most pleasant.
Kate Livesay
What a fun place! Low ceilings really bring out the old Oxford vibe of this pub. And the Tuesday night jazz was lovely. I only went one time, but would have loved to have gone a second time around.
Sitraka FORLER
So cool!!! The best pub in town! The inside feels so authentic ??The food is better than many other pubs but it’s such a nice place that it easily went crowded
Inesh Perera
It has a huge collection of ties from club representatives at Oxford from over the years. If rich history and quaint vibes are what you're after, then this is your place!
Another wonderful old character pub in Oxford and a must visit for any English pub lover. Good selection of fullers ales on taps and a great outdoor drinking area. The inside has low ceilings and small rooms with plenty of character - but she can be a bit of a squeeze.
The white wine we were served was in fact watered down wine. This was exchanged for proper wine, but I have to say that this is a very very concerning event. I suggest you test your drink before leaving the bar.
Looks lovely and in a good location but the food is below average and disappointingly small portions, especially for the price. The pub interior is charming and characterful, but not many seats inside so you'll likely sit outdoors. A nice central place to stop for a drink, but if you're looking for a meal I'd recommend trying elsewhere. Fairly expensive (I paid £17 for a vegetarian pie & mash which turned out to be underwhelmingly small), but I guess that's central Oxford prices.Vegetarian options: Vegetable & couscous tagine; sweet potato & goats cheese pie
Sadly disappointing experience. We had to pre-book and pay a deposit which is fair enough only to be told a couple of days beforehand that no Sunday roast would be available with little chance of getting booked in elsewhere. After having ordered and paid for the food we were told it would be a 45 minute wait for it. Food was distinctly average and portions were small so one can only guess at how small the "small portion" options would have been. Go for the old pub experience and to see the amazing collection of cut-off ties and enjoy the decent beer, but maybe give the food a miss.
Popped in for quick pint on a Friday evening was a bit busy so didn't get a good look around but was a nice traditional pub low ceilings uneven floors etc. Did take a while to get served but think that was more to do with some foreign visitors not understanding how a British Bar works queuing etc but staff were polite and friendly and there was a good selection of beers. Would definitely call again just maybe at a quieter time.
A cute, cosy and historic pub in the heart of Oxford's City centre. Real Old pubs with low ceilings, snugs, exposed wood beams and tightly packed seating areas are really charming and enjoyable. The atmosphere is hard to replicate and modern pubs that try to artificially create this look and feel usually fail. I'd recommend the Bear, and if you can get a seat inside on a busy weekend and enjoy a few of their fine ales then you'll be in good company. Cheers ?
The only thing special on this pub is, that it is said to be the oldest pub in oxford. Otherwise it is really overprized (for a pint and a half pint 12.50 pounds) and the toilets are totally disgusting. Not clean, strong urine smell and not possible to sit down. If it would have been a public toilet i totally would have expected that, but please not in a pub.
Decent amount of completely unseasoned, flavourless food.Asked for mustard, told they were nearly out so could only give a squirt. I think the white stuff was supposed to be cauliflower cheese but it tasted of water. They were running low on potatoes by 1pm. No seasoning or sauce on the veg. Gravy was ok.Lovely place for a pint, friendly staff but just don't go for the Sunday roast.
A must visit Pub if in Oxford.Only small but makes up for it in character and great staff.Good selection of ales, the one I had chosen had just ran out and I had already paid but let me have an alternative with higher gravity at no extra cost (Thank You!).Offer to bring drinks to you while you find a seat in or outdoors.
The oldest pub in Oxford, this is a small two room set up with a bar area on side and a more intimate snug type room the other. The latter has a fireplace and is also adorned, famously, with cabinets full of ties. The pub itself has thankfully retained most original fittings and feels historic still. It gets very busy on a Friday and Saturday night and so the outdoor yard areas are a good addition. I noticed they had craft beer from the Beavertown brewery as well.The real ale is generally from Fuller's fayre and included a very pleasant session ale of the IPA style. There was also a guest ale on. The real ale was well kept and in good condition.Honourable mention to the landlord who is a very friendly and welcoming figure, something you don't always see in tourist areas.
Restaurantji Recommends
Put the Bear Inn on your list of places to experience. Love the history behind this great InnIf only the walls could talk. We online stopped by for a drink so can't comment on the food. Good selection of ales and loved the cidar. Take care if visiting the Ladies. Narrow sloping stairway, and it's wasn't because of the cidar...lol. The neckties adorning the walls and ceiling must have taken years to collect.
Great atmosphere if you happen to bag one of the few tables, windowsills and/or stools inside. Otherwise you can drink Fullers outside in a fairly lacklustre seating environment that no doubt livens up (I have witnessed this) on a busy evening. When we went there on a mid-afternoon in July 2023 it was too busy to accommodate us inside but the outside area could have been anywhere. The staff were most pleasant.
What a fun place! Low ceilings really bring out the old Oxford vibe of this pub. And the Tuesday night jazz was lovely. I only went one time, but would have loved to have gone a second time around.
So cool!!! The best pub in town! The inside feels so authentic ??The food is better than many other pubs but it’s such a nice place that it easily went crowded
It has a huge collection of ties from club representatives at Oxford from over the years. If rich history and quaint vibes are what you're after, then this is your place!