Daily Info, Oxford
Oxford Gig Venues
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This page is intended as a helpful guide for those putting on gigs in Oxford.
Click here to see what gigs are on in Oxford at the moment. See also: Concert Venues Guide and Halls for Hire.

Errors / omissions? Please tell us (venues@dailyinfo.co.uk / 01865 241133)!

Name Contact Description Equipment
A 
A1 Pool Hall
Cowley Road Area
Capacity: 80

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Map
10 Crown Street
Cowley
OX41QG
Tel: 01865 244300 after 6.30pm  
Pool hall / bar, also available for private hire (£50 - £100, licence till midnight). Free pool on a Sunday afternoon 3-6pm. Available for private parties. Late licence till 12.


What a great little pool club!I play at A1 a couple of times a week, and have been very impressed by the standard to which the... read more

 
No music equipment atm. Awaiting entertainment licence from the Council, after which there are plans to get a PA system. 
B
Baby Love
Central

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Map
3 King Edward Street,
Oxford
OX1 4HS
Tel: 01865 200011
www.baby-bar.co.uk
drumbabydrum@hotmail.co.uk 
Trendy central bar playing electronica, drum & bass, etc. Large cocktail selection. Sister bar on the Cowley Road. Cocktails. Dress Code. Wheelchair friendly.


An intriguing bar with a great atmosphere, the bartenders were surprisingly knowledgeable, and the music (a mix of funky beats... read more

 
 
Baby Simple
Cowley Road Area
Capacity: 220

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Map
213 Cowley Rd
Oxford
OX4 1XF
Tel: 01865 202506 / 794726
www.baby-bar.co.uk  
Baby simple launched in December 07, bringing together the ambience of Bar BABY and the the musical know-how of leading Oxford music promoter, SIMPLE.

The venue has been recently redeveloped. The mezzanine now hosts works by local artists, and the completely refurbished ground floor area now incorporates a new lighting and sound system and cocktail bar.

They would like to hear from party-goers, artists, DJs and promoters who would like to get involved: contact nick@simpleproductions.co.uk / 07803 078033. Cocktails. Cloakroom. Sofas. Available for private parties. Wheelchair friendly.


Came here before Xmas as it was open late. Was full of students frittering away their loans on cheap cocktails. Music far too... read more

 
Basic essentials of a sound system. 
Bar Risa / Jongleurs
Central
Capacity: 500

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Map
3-5 Hythe Bridge St
Oxford
OX1 2EW
Tel: 01865 722437
www.jongleurs.com  
Bar Risa is a spacious venue attached to Jongleurs comedy club. Sizeable menu of tapas-like food with very cheap daytime food & drinks offers. Regular DJ nights, occasional gay night 'Trick', salsa evenings, etc. Large screens for sport. Dress Code. Available for private parties. Wheelchair friendly. Late licence till 2.


I go to Bar Risa and the music that they play upstairs is great. All the people that were in there looked as though... read more

 
Full 2k PA system, twin CD/deck disco system, full lighting rig, connections for AV equipment. Removable stage area, mobile furniture. Can be partitioned for small parties. 
The Old Bookbinder's Arms
Jericho
Capacity: 120

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Map
17-18 Victor Street
OX2 6BT
Tel: 01865 553549  
Friendly nook-and-cranny-filled pub known for its real ale. Quiz Tuesday, proceeds to charity, get there by 7pm. Free peanuts from large barrel. 30 capacity function room available for hire. Sofas. Available for private parties. Wheelchair friendly. Wifi Access. Late licence till 12.


We went to the Bookbinder's Arms on the strength of the reviews on Dailyinfo. When we first got there, I saw it was Greene King... read more

 
In-house PA and preamp 
The Bridge
Central

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Map
6-9 Hythe Bridge Street
Oxford
0X1 2EW
Tel: 01865 242526
www.bridgeoxford.co.uk
info@bridgeoxford.co.uk 
Classier alternative to Park End et al. Commercial dance, RnB, Old School, etc. Themed student nights (including International night, Weds) & live local radio broadcasts. See website for full info. Lounge Bar has waitress service & table reservations. Sister bar is Anuba on Park End St. Cocktails. Sofas. Available for private parties. Wheelchair friendly. Late licence till 2.

 
 
The Bullingdon Arms
Cowley Road Area
Capacity: 250-280

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162 Cowley Road
Tel: 01865 244516  
Gig & comedy venue with a small bar on the front. Cocktails. Cloakroom. Sofas. Available for private parties. Wheelchair friendly. Late licence till 2.


One of Oxford's main venues although until recently something of a joke soundwise. A nice new PA has rectified this. Standout... read more

 
Own equipment, do enquire. 
C
Carling Academy Oxford
Cowley Road Area
Capacity: 1350 in total, with approx. 1000 of that downstairs.

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Map
190 Cowley Road
Oxford
OX4 1UE
Tel: Box Office: 0844 477 2000 / Info: 0905 020 3999 (25p/min)
www.oxford-academy.co.uk  
Oxford's biggest & best live venue (bar Brookes Student Union) and part of the national touring bands circuit. Live music every night during university term from 7.30-10ish, followed by a selection of regular and specialist club nights. Main venue is downstairs, with a street-front bar which can be closed off to become another small venue; upstairs is 'The Zodiac @ The Carling Academy', also with a back bar which is partitioned off at smaller gigs. Cocktails. Cloakroom. Available for private parties. Wheelchair friendly. Late licence till 4.


As a regular visitor to The Zodiac some 10-15 years ago when Supergrass were singing in a higher octave and I was still required... read more

 
Full kit for playing through the in-house system; in-house engineers of varying quality; state-of-the-art lighting rigs. All new in autumn 2007. 
The Cellar
Central
Capacity: 250

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Frewin Court, off Cornmarket St.
Tel: 01865 244761
www.cellarmusic.co.uk  
DJs &/or live bands every night. One of Oxford's best venues for live music (and more recently, comedy), catering for a wide range of musical tastes, having an emphasis on hiphop, funk, D&B, Latin jazz & indie. Previously heavily DJ-orientated, recently moving more toward live gigs & flourishing with a tight new soundsystem. Cocktails. Sofas. Available for private parties. Late licence till 2.


Quickly establishing itself as one of the centres of musical life in Oxford, The Cellar offers a wide range of specialist nights... read more

 
Good PA, good monitoring, very good engineer. 
Chester Arms
Cowley Road Area
Capacity: 100

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Map
19 Chester Street
OX4 1SN
Tel: 01865 243203
www.chesterarmsoxford.co.uk  
Spacious, pleasant venue in quiet residential street near Iffley Fields nature reserve. Occasional pool table (!). Live music Weds, Fri, Sat; quiz Thu. Large grassy garden great in summer. Car park too. Cocktails. Available for private parties. Wheelchair friendly.


Quiz review: Rather disappointing quiz (Sundays, £1 entry), run by a nice professional quiz chap who also does one at the Annora... read more

 
Own PA, generally just for vocals. Piano! 
Clementines
Cowley Road Area
Capacity: 250

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Map
15 St Clements
Oxford
OX4 1AB
Tel: 01865 247214  
Cosy, stylish venue with a continental bias, playing R&B and chart/cheese. Cocktails. Cloakroom. Sofas. Available for private parties. Late licence till 3.

 
Nightlub - not a live music venue. 
E
The Exeter Hall
Cowley Road Area
Capacity: 80-100

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Map
1 Oxford Road (between Cowley Rd & Cowley centre)
Oxford
OX4 2EN
Tel: 01865 776431
exeterhall@hotmail.co.uk 
Large pub with two separate bars and outdoor seating (benches) on street-front patio. Extra info: disabled access is via a side ramp & there is a disabled loo. Children, if over 14 & accompanied by an adult, are welcome from 12-8pm. Dogs allowed 12-8pm. Wheelchair friendly. Wifi Access. Late licence till 1.


If you love music then the Ex is the place for you, You will get some great music from bands travelling all over England and Europe... read more

 
 
F
Far From The Madding Crowd
Central
Capacity: 150

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Friars Entry (round the back of Borders).
Tel: 01865 240900
www.maddingcrowd.co.uk  
Cocktails. Sofas. Available for private parties. Wheelchair friendly.


This reincarnation of the much-loved spirit of Jericho's Jude the Obscure pub has an arts emphasis, nearly half the venue being... read more

 
Generally open mics & acoustic bands provided by different promoters. Regulars Delicious Music have a nice setup. 
Freud
Jericho
Capacity: 200 seated, 40 standing

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Map
119 Walton Street
Oxford
OX2 6AH
Tel: 01865 311171
www.freudliving.co.uk/cgi-bin/shop/page.cgi?user_id=12265&file=bars.html  
The most aesthetically impressive drinking venue in Oxford, Freud's is a converted church in Jericho. Art installations, soaring classical architecture, occasional live music of a jazz/blues orientation or DJs on weekends. Good cocktails and snacky grub. Small sun terrace at front for summer posing.

Cocktails. Occasional dress code. Available for private parties.


It has been a while since I have visited Freuds, but damn I should have gone sooner. The bartender was amazing, making us... read more

 
 
I
The Imperial Nightclub
Central
Capacity: 350

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Map
27 Park End Street,
Oxford
OX1 1HU
Tel: 01865 794900
www.imperial-club.co.uk  
Themed student nights (e.g. International Night, Tues) & live local radio broadcasts. VIP area with waitress service & table reservations. Dancers perform on selected nights. Cocktails. Cloakroom. Sofas. Available for private parties. Wheelchair friendly. Wifi Access. Late licence till 3.


I went to the Imperial Club in Oxford last Saturday night with some mates from work. At first, Imperial does not seem a big club... read more

 
In-house PA with mixing desk, no resident engineer. 
J
The Jericho Tavern
Jericho
Capacity: 150

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56 Walton Street
Tel: 311775  
Recently reopened after a refurbishment aimed at scrubbing away all memory of the horror that was The Jericho Scream Pub, The Jericho Tavern has a new sound system, an in-house engineer and a declared intention to return to being one of Oxford's best live music venues. Cocktails. Sofas. Available for private parties. Wheelchair friendly. Wifi Access. Late licence till 12.


One of the best music venues in Oxford - revived! Great acts have made it a point to play at the venue where the atmosphere is... read more

 
In-house PA with monitors. Good engineer. 
K
Kiss Bar
Central

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Park End Street,
Oxford
Tel: 01865 200555  
Smartish themed bar with silver walls, giant lips and hundreds of different kinds of flavoured vodka. Cocktails. Sofas. Dress Code. Wheelchair friendly. Late licence till 12.


Kiss Bar is excellent. They have excellent DJs and it has recently been revamped giving more space. Excellent cocktail bar with... read more

 
 
M
Magdalen Arms
Cowley Road Area
Capacity: 215

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Map
243 Iffley Rd
(corner of Magdalen & Iffley)
OX4 1SJ
Tel: 01865 243159  
Large, busy pub next to Pegasus Theatre. Few students. Poker nights on Mondays (2007), live music Fridays. Children welcome before 7pm. Dress Code. Late licence till 12.


A very good pub which still appears to carry the Firkin brewery name long after the closure/takeover of the ubiquitous Irish chain... read more

 
None - bring your own! 
P
Po Na Na
Central
Capacity: 195

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Map
13-15 Magdalen Street
Oxford
OX1 3AE
Tel: 249171
www.oxfordponana.com
OxfordPNN@ponana.com 
Basement club/bar with glittery Arabic-style architecture. Cheesy yet impressive in a Casablanca-ish kind of way. Can get very hot and sticky in summer. Occasional live gigs. Cocktails. Cloakroom. Sofas. Available for private parties.


Over priced. Bad quality drinks. Poor service. This is the general feeling I get from po na na and I have met many people recently... read more

 
No in-house kit for live bands. 
The Port Mahon
Cowley Road Area
Capacity: 60

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82 St Clements
Tel: 01865 202067  
Cosy venue known for the varied and - mostly - high quality gig nights held in its scuzzy little upstairs room. Two small bars on different levels. Developing a student slant in winter 2007, with rock music in the bars, Thurs a.m. Fuzzy Ducks recovery breakfast (!) and affordable roasts (inc. veggie) on Sun (£5.95). Cocktails. Available for private parties.


Have to agree with above reviews, this pub is a bit of a treasure with its upstairs music venue. Main bar area is a little sweaty... read more

 
DIY venue with mixing desk, large speakers (in doubtful condition, winter 2007) and monitors. Bring your own leads, stands, mics, amps etc. as they only have limited amounts of these. Sound is good for such a tiny venue.  
The Purple Turtle
Central

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Frewin Court, off Cornmarket Street
Tel: 01865 247086
www.purpleturtlebar.com  
Part of the old Oxford Union cellars. Complicated rules about non-Union members/non students paying entrance at certain times (we can't work these out). New programme of free live music in 2007-8 provided by 3spiritmusic - check their myspace for listings. Drinks are pub prices, and gigs aside, the music is filtered throughout the series of caverns by the jukebox. There is a dance floor, table football and the walls can get sweaty. Cocktails. Occasional dress code.


Watch your watches, they thieve them in here. But great posters on the walls.... read more

 
 
R
The Regal
Cowley Road Area

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Map
300 Cowley Road
Oxford
OX4 1US
Tel: 01865 241261
www.the-regal.com
jason@the-regal.com 
Big phat nightclub based in art-deco, Grade II listed former cinema/bingo hall. For our feature on the history of The Regal see here. Live music events, tea dances & community events also planned. Comprises Foyer Bar, Elite Room and the Great Room. Cocktails. Cloakroom. Sofas. Occasional dress code. Available for private parties. Wheelchair friendly. Late licence till 4.


This venue is impressive, there's no doubt about it. Popped in for a late drink (post 11pm) last Weds, and whilst only the cramped... read more

 
'state-of-the-art' PA (from Martin Audio, London), in-house engineers, 3 mixing desks... please enquire for full specs. 
T
Temple Bar
Cowley Road Area
Capacity: 120 plus overspill into garden

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21 Temple Street,
off Cowley Rd
Tel: 01865 243251
templebaroxford@yahoo.co.uk 
One of the first East Oxford venues to be treated to the pine refurb treatment (it must come to us all in the end). Attractive red pool table. Covered heated smoking area at rear. Popular with students. Weds, open mic night; Fri, karaoke; Sat, live bands. Sofas. Late licence till 1.


To supplement Joe B's review of the Temple Bar, if it is busy at the bar there is access to the rear via a coridor that runs behind... read more

 
Own PA system in house (no mixing desk) 
W
The Wheatsheaf
Central
Capacity: 100

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Map
120 High Street,
Oxford,
OX1 4DF
Tel: 01865 721156  
Smallish venue with emphasis on local rock & indie bands and top quality jazz.
Stand Out Nights: The Spin Jazz Club (Thurs). One of the best live contemporary Jazz nights in the country, the club won the PRS Foundation Award for new music in 2002 & 2003. www.spinjazz.com Cocktails. Available for private parties. Late licence till 12.


The pubs that are hidden away off High Street (this one, The Chequers and The Bear) are some of the best in central Oxford. Just... read more

 
Monitors, mixing desk with good in-house engineer, stands, some leads, etc.