Turf Tavern

4/10/2008 2:53:00 AM, thursday, april 10, 2008
The Turf Tavern, located in the very old city, is one of the qualities pubs of Oxford. It is own by Greene King, which does say much. Attractive atmosphere inside with some small wooden panelled drinking rooms with access to different outdoor sitting areas. Service was alright and so was the food (I had a Vegetarian risotto). No music. Two bars serving each part of the pub. And the best of it all 12 hand pumps with well-kept ales from breweries like Loddon, RCH and Burton Bridge. From my visit on a Friday night until my visit the next Monday afternoon there were new ales on most of the pumps. In other words Turf Tavern is a brilliant pub for real ale drinkers and where you can sip before you sup (visited 14th and 17th March 08).

3/12/2008 2:28:54 AM, wednesday, march 12, 2008
Beers range good, beer quality good, staff attitude stinks (yet again, do barstaff go on a how-to-be-miserable course in this city?). Quaint enough for GK to have not ruined it yet. Outside was like being the garden section of B&Q lots of boards going on about the pubs history- but I prefer the atmosphere not to be simply painted on the walls. Would I come back? Hell, yes: best beer range in Oxford and more rooms yet to explore inside.

2/17/2008 8:17:18 AM, sunday, february 17, 2008
Large rambling pub with a paved beer garden front and back. The back is overlooked by a splendid church tower and has charcoal burners. It’s down a side alley. Chalk boards tell of the famous incidents here, such as Clinton not inhaling and Bob Hawke downing a yard of ale in 11 seconds - a world record at the time. A Morse pub apparently. Certainly it’s a pub packed with charm, atmosphere, good food, history, uniqueness and an amazing range of beers, including a house beer only available at the pub. Awesome. A top scoring pub.

2/14/2008 1:42:39 PM, thursday, february 14, 2008
Plenty of space, but it has a maze-like complexity. Sat outside in February thanks to effective braziers. Despite being a GK pub there were a number of guest beers on. Staff were rushed and grumpy. Poor toilets. Overall pleasantly chaotic.

1/21/2008 11:07:08 PM, monday, january 21, 2008
Visited in September 2007 on a busy Friday afternoon. Tucked away on an odd side street, this pub’s worth looking for and at with its nook-like low ceilings, tudor-style beams and thick stone walls meandering throughout multiple bustling rooms filled with tables and comfy chairs and fireplace-esque fittings... (You know, typical but quirky Brit-nook-esque.) Friendly but busy waitstaff brought us an excellent lasagna and beef and ale pie. Beer was a great selection of 11 casks, some brewed for the pub, and most were favourable. Should be on your list if you’re nearby.

11/13/2007 3:10:10 PM, tuesday, november 13, 2007
The selection of draught ales here is excellent, but there’s little more than that. Don’t expect a Belgian bierparadise. Quirky, characterful layout. not exactly snug snugs, but certainly some nooks are quite cosy. Helpful staff, and the cellar staff know how to keep their beer. My #1 Oxford venue. Food’s decent pub-grub, and I like my pub-grub!

11/1/2007 7:55:48 PM, thursday, november 01, 2007
This place is awesome. Hidden away down a side lane (we were with locals, otherwise, I’d have been screwed). Low ceilings (very low... if you’re over 5’10 watch out). Quirky layout with loads of different nooks to stash yourself away in. Good selection of beer in different styles. A real highlight of my day in Oxford.

6/7/2007 12:37:56 PM, thursday, june 07, 2007
Good luck finding it. Good luck finding a bigger or better selection of handpumps anywhere. The atmosphere is astounding with 3 outdoor seating areas and a very cozy interior. Least diacetyl in Oxford>>>hehe!

2/26/2007 2:25:34 AM, monday, february 26, 2007
The busiest pub ever. Ever. There are reasons, such as: the separated patios, the charming back garden entrance and bomb-shelterish low ceilings, the ten or so casks that are constantly changing, and the fact that, well, it’s the Turf. The place to go for a rollicking fun time and some always interesting but mostly hit or miss (for quality) brews. Best place to drink in Oxford.

11/23/2006 7:28:50 AM, thursday, november 23, 2006
Such an amazing and quirky pub. I love the delightfully obscure entrance. I love the completely slap dash collection of rooms and patios that make up its seating. Turf has the best selection of taps in Oxford, and I see something new just about every time I’m there. This is the best place that I know of to find the excellent beers of the White Horse Brewery. Overall, the ales are better tended than most places, but I do get a pint that’s begun to go off once in awhile. Jacket potatoes are a cheap/good menu item. Sunday roasts are pretty decent. There is grilling out back most nights starting at 8, and the burgers (£2) are not bad at all. Always seems full, but there is usually a place to squeeze in somewhere.