Restaurants

James St Tavern

47-48 James Street, Oxford, OX4 1EU, GB

Rating: 4.4 ★ (414 ratings)

Details

Nestled just off the vibrant Cowley Road, the James Street Tavern offers a welcoming, homely atmosphere that has become a favoured spot for both locals and visitors to Oxford. Following a significant refurbishment in 2019, the pub now sports a trendy-yet-cosy feel, with bare brick walls and exposed pipework creating a relaxed interior. It's known for its decent selection of ales, beers, wines, and cocktails. The tavern boasts a gorgeous and plentiful outdoor garden space, providing a pool of tranquillity, complete with a new wood-panelled Pavilion with a retractable roof, perfect for enjoying a drink whatever the weather. This attention to creating a comfortable and stylish environment makes it an appealing choice for a casual pint or a longer, relaxed session.

The James Street Tavern isn't just about a pleasant pint; it's a hub of activity and flavour. Food options include award-winning Pieminister pies, alongside a menu that has previously featured crêpes and burgers. The venue prides itself on a constant rotation of live events, ensuring there's regularly something new to experience. Visitors can often find live music on weekends, stand-up comedy on Thursdays, the Cuckoo's Nest Film Society on Tuesdays, and even open mic afternoons and board game clubs on Sundays. Regular art classes, workshops, and monthly art markets further add to its community feel, making it a lively and engaging spot to discover local talent and enjoy a well-rounded pub experience.

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Location

Opening Hours

Monday: Closed; Tuesday: 4:00 PM – 12:00 AM; Wednesday: 4:00 PM – 12:00 AM; Thursday: 4:00 PM – 12:00 AM; Friday: 4:00 PM – 2:00 AM; Saturday: 2:00 PM – 2:00 AM; Sunday: 12:00 – 7:00 PM

Contact

+44 1865 580810

Comments

Lala BeeGee
4 Mar 2026
5.0 ★
Sunday day chill vibe with live music/open mic from 3pm which was lovely. This gem is tucked away off the main drag of Cowley street in Oxford, and is just a perfect spot.
Friendly atmosphere, talented crowd, laid back gorgeousness. If I didn't have to drive home I would have been there all evening.
Great beer garden too which I will happily sit in in summer.
Paul Farrell
4 Mar 2026
4.0 ★
Local BrewDog pub about 1/2 mile South of Oxford City. Great selection of their own and guest beers. They offer parties for your pooch, including food and dog-friendly beer. Food was good, generally but the heritage tomato salad was a very unexciting salad and it wasn't finished because the tomatoes were very hard and underripe. There is an accessible toilet which is necessary as there are two steps into the gents loo.
Tony Brett
20 Feb 2026
3.0 ★
Not a bad brunch but the place was not even a quarter full and it still took 40 minutes to arrive. The full english is OK for a tenner (although the bacon probably didn't need all those 40 minutes of cooking!). The Shakshuka was disappointing in that despite what the menu said there were no beans or feta in it.
Scott Lawrie
13 Feb 2026
5.0 ★
Great pub with many events going on: open mic and Sunday board games in particular are great! Lots of varied seating space, including a large covered outdoor area which is lovely in the sunshine. Delicious food too!
Lorraine Kashdan
29 Jan 2026
5.0 ★
Went for an open mic night and the staff were really kind and understanding and accommodating. Gluten-free options and a really warm and friendly atmosphere.

The pub has a really nice atmosphere, the music was amazing and the staff were more than brilliant. I felt completely welcome and they did all they could to accommodate myself and my wheelchair because unfortunately it's not a fully accessible pub.

Being slightly ambulant I would go again because they made accommodation for me by the door of the Pavillion, which you can get in if someone asks.

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