Slipping Through Oxford

By Bhavika Kumar

Hertford College Bar - Yellow Room

One cannot avoid the venerable custom of college bars while attending the University of Oxford. These aren't just any bars; they are the warm, eccentric, and (mostly) well-priced settings where students congregate to drink their sorrows post a harrowing tutorial, celebrate their college sports team wins or just pre for a night out at one of our 2 clubs (RIP Atik).  

The most famous college bar is that of Balliol. Located right in the centre of Oxford and offering the famous four-shot Balliol blues, this is one bar that is always full of students. It offers pool tables, board games and regular events to keep things exciting. Some might say their college drink tastes a bit like detergent but it’s definitely a favourite amongst the student population. No pub crawl is complete without a visit to this bar. 

Many Merton as the college where fun goes to die. Yet their bar offers a more intimate and old-school atmosphere that can be perfect if that’s more up your street. This bar, with its wood-panelled walls and homey atmosphere, is like a warm hug on a cold Oxford night. It is the ideal location for a couple of quiet pints. Although it is a little quieter than other bars, that is precisely what sets it apart. If you actually like talking to your friends, you won’t be shouting to hear them. And on days that Merton has its bops, they’ll often have a generous tab on the bar, so if you manage to secure an invite you can take advantage of many free drinks. 

One can’t mention bops without mentioning Magdalen College. They might be more famous for their deer parks and free punts, but they do know how to throw a good bop. And much like Merton each bop comes with a tab that ensures that the OKB can be a perfect location for pres before a night out. The bar itself is spacious and if you’re willing to do the trek to Magdalen and ignore the running ads it can be quite a good time. 

If taking treks out to lands far away does sound appealing then the St Catz ‘bar’ might be the one for you. Whilst essentially a tent, it does have a quite unique atmosphere, being rather modern and spacious. They offer a good range of cocktails such as the Kermit or their famous 6-shot college drink at very decent prices, which means that the trip out there will definitely be worth it.  

Something that definitely isn’t worth it however is the famous St Peter’s bar crosskey. Seen for the longest time as a ubiquitous college cocktail, inspiring a challenge of the same name, this 6 shot concoction was a crowd favourite and made the Peters bar the place to be. However, in recent times hiking prices and stricter entrance requirements means this bar is losing its popularity and for good reason (can you tell I’m bitter). 

Regardless of your thoughts on Oxford’s drinkflation, each of the college bars has its unique flavour, reflecting the diverse character of the university itself. Whether you’re in the mood for a quiet pint, a lively night of games, or a bit of historical charm, there’s a bar with your name on it. You’ll definitely never be bored here!