The Bear Inn, Oxford Reviews Summary

Atmosphere & Location

Pros:

• "You can feel the history of the Bear the moment you walk in."
• "A truly classic pub and probably one of my favourites in Oxford."
• "Always a great welcome, good beer, great company!"
• "The place was so warm and cosy with the most amazing atmosphere."
• "This is a very iconic pub in the heart of Oxford, with all the ceilings and walls covered by the cuttings of the ties of oxonian students."
• "One of my favourite 'out of the way' pubs."
• "It's a pub full of history, has lovely friendly staff and great beers."

Cons:

• "Most people who come here are in the beer garden, which although nice, is on a fairly nondescript road next to a tanning salon and a much better bar."
• "Its quirk is that it is very small inside, but I wouldn't say it's especially cosy - it gets a bit stifling in winter and in summer it's too hot and cramped."
• "The outside area had lots of benches for seating although was quite messy and one central area had standing water and stunk of urine."
• "The atmosphere outside was quite dull although it was lunch time so wasn’t very busy outside."
• "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."
• "We didn't hear a call for last orders, and felt a bit rushed when they came to tell us to drink up."
• "Sadly this pub didn't live up to expectations."

Service & Staff

Pros:

• "Really friendly service and James the landlord was an exceptional host."
• "Staff were lovely and friendly."
• "The staff were friendly and accommodating, helping us find our table and use the online menu."
• "All staff I dealt with were friendly and polite."
• "Super helpful staff, one guy waiting outside went out of his way to find us a table when we had to move from a reserved table on a busy Friday evening."
• "Staff is lovely and attentive, a truly gem to visit if you are in Oxford."
• "Got served quickly by friendly bar staff."

Cons:

• "Awfully rude and nasty landlord. Has a go at you and then tells you off for being argumentative."
• "Barmaid was foreign so we struggled to communicate to figure out what drinks they even had."
• "Staff beyond rude."
• "Service was very slow and lots of issues with the kitchen."
• "Childish, unprofessional behaviour and quite frankly insulting!"
• "Visited on Sunday with great expectation of a Sunday roast. Service very slow, kids serving did NOT have a clue how to serve or look after a table."
• "My order took a long, long time to arrive, after reminders, and by then, my friends had finished eating."

Food & Drink

Pros:

• "Do not get fooled by looks! Food is very good! Fish and chips is excellent! Chorizo burger is a winner, chips excellent, mushy peas very tasty!"
• "The small mixed grill is absolutely wonderful a really memorable meal."
• "Classic fish and chips, with more fish than chips! Nice beer too."
• "Good beers and companion food served in large portions make this place a good choice also for lunch or dinner."
• "By far the best steak pie in any pub in Oxford."
• "Some others had fish and chips which they said was great and the portion was very large."
• "Best fish&chips I eat in this 2 weeks I stay in England! Great choices of beers."