The Bear Tavern
The Bear Tavern
4.5
11:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Monday
11:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Tuesday
11:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Wednesday
11:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Thursday
11:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Friday
11:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Saturday
11:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Sunday
11:30 AM - 10:30 PM
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4.5
113 reviews
Excellent
60
Very good
42
Average
7
Poor
3
Terrible
1
Angel69
Hampshire256 contributions
Aug 2022
Oxford's oldest pub est. 1242 with a lovely outdoor seating area. A Fuller's pub with a great selection of drinks.
Didn't eat here so can't comment on the food.
Hidden down Blue Boar Street, just off of Aldgate.
Didn't eat here so can't comment on the food.
Hidden down Blue Boar Street, just off of Aldgate.
Written 14 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ambassador1461
Charlotte, NC3 contributions
I am certainly no pub "expert," but I found the Bear to be exactly what one would imagine an old pub in Oxford would be. Low ceilings, creaky floors, boistrous students--the whole nine yards. It has a tremendous tie collection: each tie is carefully labelled with the patron's name, the date & the college. The ties are randomly grouped together and framed, then mounted on the walls and even the ceilings! (Note: I must correct Rudy Maxa's article. The Bear no longer gives a free pint in exchange for allowing one's tie to be cut off.)
I visited on a chilly night early December, and they dispensed mulled wine from a tap! I did not have any food, but if it's sheer atmosphere and a pint you want, I highly recommend it!
I visited on a chilly night early December, and they dispensed mulled wine from a tap! I did not have any food, but if it's sheer atmosphere and a pint you want, I highly recommend it!
Written 17 December 2003
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Baxterp
Paris, France172 contributions
Aug 2015
Wow not sure whom owns this fabulous piece of history but what a total let down. Nothing exciting at all. Why do you have a restaurant called The Bear and the interior and exterior have nothing to do with that except a small painted bear on the mens loo? no interior decor except the framed ties. nothing warm and cozy to look at. wonky and small as expected but no music boring bartenders and just nothing to say why you would seek this out. Make money off your history, do something to make it appealing. exterior has NO signs except the chalkboards so not sure if people have stolen them or what? the sign holder is empty nothing on the exterior at all. why not paint and make it look like "something"? not worth a visit except to say you went
Written 27 August 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Philip T
Woburn Sands, UK6 contributions
May 2013 • Couples
Visited on a Saturday lunchtime. Busy, but not overly so. Bar staff inattentive and service incredibly slow. Food ok (but nothing special) but very slow to arrive. Toilets smelly. Not much of an attraction.
Written 8 May 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
VisitOxfordTours
Oxford, UK96 contributions
Feb 2012 • Friends
Perhaps I best not shout too much about The Bear as I like it also for the fact that although it's generally always a lively place, a lot of the tourists visiting Oxford haven't actually 'discovered' it as it's down an old lane of the High Street or St Aldates. It is very near Christchurch and University Colleges too though- so I am sure it gets its fair share of academic geniuses in addition to locals like myself.
I like their outside seating area with burners as it means you can probably turn up with any sized group as I do (I run pub tours in Oxford) and get seating together. The staff have always been friendly and offered great service and this is the kind of pub which has something for everyone. You can have a chat with whoever at the bar if you want to or find a table. Don't forget to see its collection of neckties on the walls and ceilings too- they go back about 80 years, I think! Apparently, at one time, you could exchange your tie for a beer!
I like their outside seating area with burners as it means you can probably turn up with any sized group as I do (I run pub tours in Oxford) and get seating together. The staff have always been friendly and offered great service and this is the kind of pub which has something for everyone. You can have a chat with whoever at the bar if you want to or find a table. Don't forget to see its collection of neckties on the walls and ceilings too- they go back about 80 years, I think! Apparently, at one time, you could exchange your tie for a beer!
Written 29 February 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GregBown84
London, UK24 contributions
Jan 2018 • Couples
A very small pub but makes up for it in its history and character. Went for a few pints and lunch on New Years days so it was relatively quiet and able to get a seat, had some good tasty pub grub while we admired the immense collection of ties collected over the years from students of various colleges. Good selection of Fullers beers amongst others too.
Written 21 January 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
34Doris
Oxford, UK133 contributions
Oct 2014 • Friends
Superbly atmospheric and not spoiled by its touristic popularity. I spent an enjoyable evening in here with my Moldovan half-sister Rohaja, who is charming but a tad grotesque. All went swimmingly until some members of the Bullingdon club arrived - and challenged us to an arm wrestling and groin punching contest. It ended with her head-locking one and steam-hammering another. To my amazement, we were given free drinks all evening.
Written 18 October 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul E
Swannanoa, NC189 contributions
Sept 2019
I came back to the Bear after 30 years. The standards have not changed. The staff are friendly, the food quick and by far the best fish and chips I have tasted in a very, very long time. Congrats to all and don't change a thing. It IS the oldest pub in Oxford for a reason.
Written 26 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you Paul,
It's always nice to be appreciated. I shall pass your comments on to my staff.
Written 28 September 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Summertownfly
Oxford, UK8 contributions
Sept 2019
I've read all the reviews and I am bewildered by those whinging, This is one of the last proper pubs left in Oxford. The food is excellent. The beer is excellent. The landorld is exceptional (!) That's it.
Written 17 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dina m
Munich, Germany28 contributions
Jun 2019
I was only in Oxford for a day and I got very lucky in finding this place when I was looking for a nice pub to sit and have fish and chips. The place is small and cozy and comes with so much history and charm.
Written 14 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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