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Oxford Nightlife

While it's hardly going to rival London for diversity or liveliness, Oxford's nightlife is well equipped enough to cater for most tastes. Venues tend to cater for either locals or students ("town or gown", as the saying goes) but there's always a fair amount going on. Check In Oxford (www.inoxford.com) for reliable info on what's coming up, or Nightshift (www.nightshiftmag.co.uk) for detailed music listings. The likes of Supergrass, Radiohead, Foals and Ride are all products of the local music scene, which remains a fertile one.

Bars in Oxford

Oxford Wine Café

Aiming to bring its clientele the best wines from across the world, this Summertown bar is run by an independent retailer focusing on smaller, boutique wine-makers. It makes the bar itself a treasure trove for oenophiles, with a choice of over 100 bottles and more than 20 by the glass. Classy place, too.

Address: Summertown, 38 South Parade, Oxford, OX2 7JN
Telephone: +44 1865 236 959.
Website: http://www.oxfordwinecafe.co.uk

The Eagle and Child

The pleasingly higgledy-piggledy Eagle and Child is one of Oxford's oldest pubs. It's famous for being the meeting place of the Inklings literary group, which consisted of CS Lewis, JRR Tolkien and the poet and novelist Charles Williams, among others. Its various nicknames include the 'Bird and Baby' and the 'Fowl and Foetus'.

Address: , 49 St Giles Street, Oxford, OX1 3LU
Telephone: +44 1865 302 925.
Website: http://www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk/restaurants/southeast/theeagleandchildoxford

The Lamb and Flag

This pub is actually owned by the adjacent St John's College, with profits going towards funding scholarships, so a few pints here is nothing less than a valuable civic duty. Happily, it's also a very enjoyable place to while away an hour or two – it's also said to be where Thomas Hardy wrote much of Jude The Obscure.

Address: , 12 St Giles', Oxford, OX1 3JS
Telephone: +44 1865 515 787.

Clubs in Oxford

Atik

After splashing half a million on a refurb, Atik now has five rooms of late night naughtiness. Expect a 70s, 80s and 90s room; a chilled cocktail space; a Tiki bar; R & B and hip hop in the Curve room; plus chart tunes. Garish VIP areas cost extra and occasional big name spinners are rare.

Address: , Cantay House, Park End Street, Oxford, OX1 1JD
Telephone: +44 1865 250 181.
Website: http://www.atikclub.co.uk

The Bridge

Two bars, three floors of music and a late license help attract a student crowd to The Bridge. Touring DJs like Dave Pearce, plus the odd live act à la Ms Dynamite, keep things fresh, else prepare for a night of R & B, hip hop, dance bangers, funk and soul, plus drink deals.

Address: , 6-9 Hythe Bridge Street, Oxford, OX1 2EW
Telephone: +44 1865 242 526.
Website: http://www.bridgeoxford.co.uk

The Cellar

Hosting everything from blues rock to house nights, this is one of the city's key independent music venues. Located just off Cornmarket, Oxford's main pedestrian drag, it's easily reachable too. It hosts a hugely eclectic range of different events, and can generally be relied on for a lively night out.

Address: , Frewin Court, Oxford, OX1 3HZ
Telephone: +44 1865 244 761.
Website: http://www.cellaroxford.co.uk

Live music in Oxford

O2 Academy

Formerly the much-loved Zodiac, this illustrious venue is where the bigger names from the rock and indie worlds tend to set up shop. It attracts a very strong calibre of touring acts, and has three separate performance spaces for live events. It's also within strolling distance of the Truck Store, Oxford's independent record shop.

Address: , 190 Cowley Road, Oxford, OX2 6AE
Telephone: +44 1865 311 775.
Website: http://www.academymusicgroup.com/o2academyoxford

The Jericho Tavern

Renowned as the place where On A Friday and The Jennifers were first discovered (that's Radiohead and Supergrass to you and me), the Jericho Tavern has been given a new lease of life as a place for live indie rock music after it fell into obscurity in the late 1990s. Expect performances from both local and touring bands as well as a good selection of real ales.

Address: , 56 Walton Street, Oxford, OX2 6AE
Telephone: +44 1865 311 775.
Website: http://www.thejerichooxford.co.uk

The Spin Jazz Club

Set in The Wheatsheaf (opposite the Covered Market), the Spin Jazz Club enjoys a sterling reputation and was named Best UK Live Jazz venue a few years ago. The roster of those who have played here, from John Etheridge and Gilad Etzmon to Tim Garland and Art Themen, ensures it has a faithful following.

Address: , 129 High Street, Oxford, OX1 4DF
Telephone: +44 7711 671 647.
Website: http://www.spinjazz.net

Classical music in Oxford

Dance in Oxford

Theatres in Oxford

Music and Dance in Oxford

Culture in Oxford

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Macdonald Randolph Hotel

Located opposite the Ashmolean Museum, the time-honoured Randolph has a similarly prestigious past, having previously welcomed Prime Ministers and Presidents through its doors. It's been open since 1886 and has a good spa and restaurant aside the comfortable guestrooms. The hotel is also the favoured watering hole of TV's Inspectors Morse and Lewis.

Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons

Renowned as one of the country's leading hotels, Raymond Blanc's Le Manoir is notable for far more than just its food. It's set in the village of Great Milton in the Oxfordshire countryside, and with just 32 guestrooms it's somewhere that emphasises attention to detail above mass-market appeal. Definitely one for special occasions.

YHA Oxford

A 4-star hostel within a minute's walk of the train station, YHA Oxford has 203 beds and, in keeping with the organisation's revamped image, a modern, welcoming feel. There are various en suite rooms, many of them geared specifically at families. Other features include a bar, a games room and cycle storage.

Victoria House Hotel

Housed in a modern building in the city centre, the Victoria House Hotel is a basic but comfortable and convenient hotel that sits directly opposite the New Theatre. All rooms are en-suite and come with shower or bath, phone and TV – but be aware that the hotel doesn't serve breakfast.

Remont Hotel

A family-run bed and breakfast with the feel of an upscale boutique hotel, the Remont is the hotel of choice for those who value style and individuality above a city-centre location. There are 25 en-suite rooms, as well as two communal areas and a garden area. Breakfast is included too.

Oxford Spires Four Pillars Hotel

The Oxford Spires is set in parkland, but still sits less than half a mile from the historic centre. The hotel has 174 well-appointed en suite bedrooms, some of which have four-poster beds. It also has a swimming pool, sauna, spa bath, beauty therapy room and gym as well a stylish restaurant and library bar.