A big shoutout to The Handle Bar Oxford, who have been supporting the 'That Oxford Girl' student ambassador meetings for the last year!
When I first met with owner, Eric, earlier in my TOG journey, I was enquiring about a few teas and coffees for 7 student ambassadors...the scheme has now grown to over 70 volunteers and the cafe has continued to host us, with teas, coffees, cordials and a delicious selection of cake.
The Handle Bar fits brilliantly with the ethos of TOG; a cosy little cafe, with walls covered in bicycles (have you seen the TOG logo?! So appropriate!) and fairylights, rustic tables and chairs, super friendly staff, a studenty vibe and a business which works with only a handful of local suppliers to ensure that all of their food and drink is ethically sourced. What's not to love?
'I thought it was a bike shop...' - this was the line I heard again and again as my ambassadors arrived at this term's meeting, as from the outside it's hard to imagine a cafe lies beneath the shop-front. So if you find yourself walking past the yellow bike shop on St Micheal's Street - be sure to pop upstairs! Everyone I spoke to said they would be returning, now they'd come across this hidden gem.
Whether it's a coffee and catchup, a tasty dinner or a slice of cake you're after - I really cannot reccommend The Handle Bar enough...and even better they now have a BAR downstairs!