Well said Tebbs! I visit The Turf every time I am in Oxford and will applaud you for keeping a great selection of beers (and as an aside - well done to GK for allowing you the freedom). Of course the place gets busy - it is an extremely popular pub and a recognised stop on Oxford's tourist route so let's accept that and give the staff a chance! Prices are fair considering the pub's status but the beer is always good and interesting. Customers who don't recognise a beer should always ask for guidance or for a taster - it is a great way of introducing people to new beers and, of course, stops punters complaining about beer they just happen not to like without having ever tried it before. Every pub will have problems at some time for many,many reasons (staff not turning up; beer running out; large numbers of customers at one time etc.etc) but overall you cannot visit Oxford without visiting the Turf.Brilliant real ales. As other reviewers have stated it is always packed but service usually remains friendlyUsed to think this pub was ott priced but now everybody else has caught up, fine pint of Burton Bridge Porter for £2.90m and also Green King special reserve on draught well. So nice to see high gravity winter ales on draught,

One of the best in town. Unique little bar with much going for it. Another "must visit" when I am in Oxford. Sadly the excellent Shotover Brewery "Prospect" was not on but we made up for that by enjoying "Pride of Oxford" and "White Horse Bitter". Food available throughout the day; cheery staff and a nice atmosphere (yes it is touristy but so what - it what they come to Oxford for and we should be very proud that we still have pubs like this)Decent pint of shootover prospect was had despit it being the last in teh barell which is a sign of good turnover.Great little pub, very cosey bar, small snug at the back, nice pint of local beer, traditional durex machine in the gents bog, a rare sight these days!!!!

Enjoyed a pint of Slaters Bitter (guest ale) and my colleague suppped some good Youngs Ordinary. Always a good cosmopolitan atmosphere in The Kings Arms with customers coming and going all the time (a good mix of Oxfordians and tourists and students) and the barman was very helpful as he got my pint straight from the cellar. Food counter is separate from the bar so you don't have to wait to be served for beer and it all seems to work well. Very handy for all the major Oxford City sites/sights.Never been a huge fan of Youngs brews but I do like this pub and it's very well placed near the centre of town. Generally a nice college crowd and good atmosphere. Would recommend their apple pie and custard washed down with a pint of Special.Rather fine pint of Burton Bridge Old Expensive for £2.90 good for Oxford. Warm and comfortable, shame its a Youngs pub now, I remember when it was a Morrells house!

oh what a shame that people who enjoy a beer and have some insight to the beers they like are type cast as a clump of ale oiks, as coined by messres Mc royal and jb gatelad), the bar is spacious and roomy as are the hearts and intentions of the aforementioned folk who populate it, i would venture to say that anybody showing an interest in the various brews on sale would be afforded ample room to see what is on sale, and a ready supply of help and direction for those not so educated in what is what, failing all that then a simple excuse me would more than suffice to allow a clear and uninterupted view of the wares, on the note of people asking for a taster before purchasing a pint, this i earnestly feel is in most peoples books a very understandable course of action to take before commiting to something that may not be to their liking, or am i being pedantic ? As always - great selection of beers often from new micro-brewers. I would agree with JBGatelad about the oiks at the bar ("can I try this and can I try that and I'll just write it down in my beer-spotters book and all that kind of nonsense) but still well worth a visit. Not all real ale drinkers are nerds!!Good selection of beers with the accent on local stuff when I visited. I thought at first it was a bit canteen like but I think it is the windows that detract from what is quite a nice room. Comfy chairs at one end, tables for dining in the middle area and a raised "observation" bench at the other end. Beer was top class - food looked average but probably good value for what it was. The only problem was the learned beer nerds drinking in a clump at the bar, preventing punters from seeing what was on the pumps!

I went into the Crown recently and was surprised to find it had recently reopened after a massive refurbishment and a conversion from a Towns pub to a Nicholson's establishment. Gone were the cheap, badly kept beers and rowdy, rude regulars and in came a fabulous selection of seven beautifully kept local and guest ales, wonderful premium lagers, a stunning menu of fine food (excellent pies being the speciality) and a fresh team of warm, friendly and knowledgeable staff. The décor has been completely revamped and now comprises of dark woods, brass and fittings which make this one of the nicest pubs in the centre of Oxford. I was in for a bite to eat with the family and was greeted at the door and sat in the dining area where we were looked after by superbly trained staff and made to feel like a very valued guest. I noticed groups enjoying the bar area and atmosphere and realised wither eating or drinking this pub really does cater for everyone. Nice pub and location. Love the landlady, keeps evrything under control. Value for money and worth a visit. Has a local element there but no probs.
I was going to go to this pub with my family as we arrive from australia but the post from the spanish people puts me right off...enough racism in australia without having it in oxford too

any one recommend another pub in oxford that has good food good real ale and a friendly atmosphere

steve

What is all this crap? This website is about beer in pubs and not jumpers or your shaving habits - try Facebook (get it?) or Twitts. I go to The Blenheim for the ales and am usually happy with what I get. That's what it's all about guys."Well I'm sorry, but I'm clean shaven and I also don't happen to own a jumper of the chunky variety."

No need to apologise for being clean shaven. A chunky jumper can come in handy during cold winters like the one we've just had though.

P.S. You sound like a trendy sort, why not wear sunglasses to The Blenheim if you find it too brightly lit?
The_Final_Arbiter wrote:

"I drink cider, but I appreciate a proper BEER in the evening or otherwise.
Cider does not qualify as beer."

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Oh, I see, I see, I got you. So because this site is called "beer" in the evening, you are interpreting that as meaning Real Ale. Hence and therefore we should all be discussing nothing but Real Ale.

Well I'm sorry, but I'm clean shaven and I also don't happen to own a jumper of the chunky variety.

What happens if a mate says to you:

"fancy meeting up for a beer tonight?"

If he orders a Lager or a Cider, do you scream "NOOOOOOOO!!!!" ... then grab the glass from his hand and smash it to the floor, before storming out whilst howling ... "you said beer, you said meet up for a BEER!!!"