Stuart Macbeth, bandleader, columnist, jazz enthusiast and frontman with The Original Rabbit Foot Spasm Band, gives his tips for a good night out in Oxford.

Clubbing/Dancing

Lava and Ignite
Cantay House, Park End Street, Oxford OX1 1JD
Tel: 01865 250181
www.lavaignite.com

House music and R&B galore at this 1,200 capacity club in the heart of Oxford’s Park End Street.
The club offers four rooms and a chill-out space for when it all gets too much.

Open until 3am on Friday and Saturday with half-price drinks until 11pm.

Admission from £4.

Lola Lo
13-15 Magdalen Street, Oxford, OX1 3AE
Tel: 01865 249171
www.lolalooxford.com

Dance your socks off to chart music and party anthems at this tropical themed nightclub, specialising in rum and cocktails. Waitress service and VIP tables available.

Reserve online for half-price admission, open until 3am.

The Cellar
Frewin Court, Oxford OX1 3HZ
Tel: 01865 244761
www.cellaroxford.co.uk

Formerly an air raid shelter and Trad Jazz club,The Cellar has been part of Oxford’s nightlife for decades. Regular drum and bass, garage, hip-hop and even Goth nights take place across the month. Highlights include Skylarkin’ Soundsystem’s monthly blues dance and world music showcases from Bossaphonik.

Admission from £3.

Open until 3am.

Hipshakin’
47-48 James Street, Oxford OX4 1EU
Tel: 01865 24661
www.facebook.com/Hipshakin

Oxford’s premier vintage club night happens monthly at the James Street Tavern. Dress up to the nines and dance to rock and roll, jump jive and soul with DJ Johnny Louche and special guests.

Classic good times, open until 2am.

A cosy Pint

The Chester
19 Chester Street, Oxford OX4 1SN
Tel: 01865 790438
www.facebook.com/TheChesterOxford/

Beautifully decorated community boozer, rescued and run as a freehouse by a consortium of locals. Real ales, excellent wine list, beer garden, friendly staff and a popular quiz on Sunday nights. It’s hard to praise this pub enough.

The Gardeners Arms
39 Plantation Road, Oxford OX26
Tel: 01865 559814
www.thegarden-oxford.co.uk/

Fantastic, off the beaten track pub with snug interior, grassy beer garden in the summer and a roaring fire in the winter. Real ales, vegan food. Regular Steampunk events.

Rose and Crown
14 North Parade Avenue, Oxford OX2 6LX
Tel: 01865 510551
www.roseandcrownoxford.com

Cosy family-run North Oxford pub with real ales, bookshelves and a covered garden area. Switch off your mobile phone and you could almost be back in the 1950s. Discount for CAMRA members.

Jam Factory
7 Park End Street, Oxford OX1 1HU
Tel: 01865 244613
www.thejamfactoryoxford.com/

Belgian beers and craft ales at this venue based at the old Frank Cooper Marmalade Factory opposite Oxford Railway Station. It’s popular for its covered outdoor smoking area and frequent art exhibitions.

Live Music

Jericho Tavern
56 Walton Street, Jericho, Oxford OX2 6AE
Tel: 01865 311775
www.thejerichooxford.co.uk

Standing against the poster-splattered walls of the Jericho in the 80s and 90s you could have witnessed gigs by the likes of Radiohead, Supergrass,The Wedding Present and Jonathan Richman. It’s a little gentrified nowadays but hosts great local and touring acts. Check local listings for upcoming gigs.

The Wheatsheaf
129 High Street, Oxford OX1 4DF
Tel: 01865 721156
www.facebook.com/wheatsheaf.oxford

Lively city pub with an excellent, well livedin, music venue upstairs. By far the city’s best venue for metal and punk bands there’s also a cracking jukebox and pool table in the downstairs bar.What more could you ask for?

Last Orders

The Fir Tree
63 Iffley Road Oxford OX4 1EJ
Tel: 01865 245290
www.facebook.com/firtreeoxford

Cram into any space you can find – the Fir Tree is a popular post-gig stop off for the hipster crowd. Opens at weekends until at least 2am.

Hi Lo Jamaican Eating House
68-70 Cowley Road, Oxford OX4 1JB
Tel: 01865 240159
www.facebook.com/HiLoJamaicanEatingHouse

When all else fails the Hi-Lo serves until the milkman is on his rounds. Said to have given birth to a million hangovers it’s packed at weekends with banging reggae music and a sofas in the backyard. I’ve paid many a visit. And I can remember none of them.

Cocktail Hour

Duke of Cambridge
5-6 Little Clarendon Street, Oxford OX1 2HP
Tel: 01865 558173
www.dukebar.com

Always buzzing, the Duke of Cambridge has been a popular stop-off since 1981.
Modern interior and a cocktail menu including classic Cosmopolitans and White Russians alongside dizzying house specials.

Cocktails from £3.95

Romance

Oxford Wine Café

38 South Parade, Oxford OX2 7JN
Tel: 01865 236959
www.oxfordwinecafe.co.uk

Light and airy new wine bar on South Parade. Ideal for a romantic rendezvous or first date, prices ranging from £17.50 to £120 per bottle. Private tastings are also available.

Open until 11pm except on Sunday when the café hosts mainstream jazz (until 10pm)