April 2, 2012
A regular on my jaunt around the towns better pubs, and one that if anything has improved following the acquisition by Nicholsons. I note that they try to avoid having the same offerings at the same time as the Crown which is the other Nicholson pub around the corner on Cornmarket. I love the olde worlde reception type hall when you enter from the alley and I like the quirkiness of it, being a wonderful alley pub, like the Wheatsheaf, aforementioned Crown and the Turf. Usually about 8-10 handpumps and often with something from Theakstons available, I have also seen Brewdog Punk IPA at a ridiculously cheap £3.00 a pint (or just over that price) within the last couple of years. A pub well worth investigating and one that has a number of other good pubs in close proximity.

February 22, 2012
A Nicholson’s pub in an old coaching inn. The Chequers is down a narrow cobbled alley which opens out onto an enclosed courtyard. It’s set side on to the alley and you first enter a great hall with ornate coving. To the right is the bar, with a low ceiling, and snug with comfy armchairs and a quarry tiled floor; to the left there’s a grand staircase leading up to a galleried area with a space at the back that might once have been a chapel and yet another gallery overlooking the courtyard. They have 10 hand pumps and 13 keg taps with a good selection of beers. It’s less “corporate” than some places in the Nicholson’s chain – somehow more earthy – but not as cosy or atmospheric as it could be, perhaps because of the presence of a fruit machine in the hall and the fact that none of the fires were lit, despite it being a bitterly cold January day. (Visited 7 January 2012).

December 24, 2011
Lovely old building in an old medieval passageway off High Street. The building itself dates to around 1500, it is a conversion of old dwellings which gives it a higgledy piggledy look. The beers have improved of late and although it attracts some of the younger crowd, there is generally the odd quiet place if you push through from the doorway. The courtyard is very popular on warmer evenings. Another pub where it is difficult to get served though. Overall, very much worth a visit.

June 11, 2011
One of the older pubs in the centre of Oxford and gained my custom recently as they serve food all day. It has that typical managed feel and lost some of it’s character from back in the day, but a decent layout, good range of beers on offer but not so well kept, plus an interesting food menu with a special sausage board. The staff are a bit over friendly, we counted both the ’landlord’ and his junior use ’mate’ about 20 times in 10 minutes. "Alright mate, here you are mate, that’s fouar parnd sevenee mate" Thank you very much, sir.

January 12, 2011
Big and spacious pub. Slightly touristic. I’m not quite sure if it’s all authentic but quite cozy anyhow. 8 casks, quite interesting ones too.