In Oxford, tucked behind unmarked doors down medieval alleyways and perched atop sleek modern developments are some of the UK’s most inventive mixology spots. Whether you’re hunting for a low-lit speakeasy serving clarified concoctions, a lively spot for a Friday night espresso martini, or a rooftop view over the city’s iconic Dreaming Spires, there's an impressive range to choose from.
Navigating the city’s bar options can be tricky - many of the finest dens are intentionally hidden from sight, while others require booking weeks ahead. That's why we've curated a guide to the absolute best cocktail bars in Oxford: detailing signature drinks, pricing, and exactly where to find them.
Find out more about how Kiera created our guide in our Editorial Policy.
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Best Cocktail Bars In Oxford: Our Local Area Guide To Cool Drinking Spots
1. The Alchemist
- Location: Westgate, Bonn Square, OX1 1TR
- Price: ££-£££
- What to order: Bubblegum Cola Lubre
- Why we recommend: this rooftop bar is the perfect pick for a date night if you're looking to impress. You'll have heaps of fun trying out The Alchemist's marvellous sips, and you can even tuck into some bao buns if the hunger pangs strike
Perched on the rooftop of Oxford's Westgate Centre, The Alchemist is a theatrical cocktail bar that comes with some serious scenic city views. The venue is not one to shy away from striking interiors, from golden pendant lighting to plush, deep red-coloured banquettes.
Its drinks mirror the decor's extravagance, with signature sips creating a visual spectacle and some really fun illusions. Our favourites include the fruity Cherry Bomb, Smokey Old Fashioned (it really is a smoke show), and Peach, Please, which contains gin, sparkling CBD and Johnnie Walker Black Whisky.
The Alchemist Oxford boasts a pretty wrap-around terrace.
2. The Varsity Club
- Location: 9A High Street, Oxford City Centre, OX1 4DB
- Price: ££
- What to order: picante margarita
- Why we recommend: for city centre views, this Oxford cocktail bar is hard to beat. We strongly suggest heading down for a killer happy hour where you can get two classic drinks for £15 - bargain
Spread across four distinctive floors, spanning a rooftop terrace and cocktail lounge, The Varsity Club in Oxford is an iconic spot for a couple of drinks with your mates. On the terrace, you'll find amazing views of the Dreaming Spires, but it's the lounge where things really get sultry, with a top-tier menu to match.
Enjoy coffee by day, and classic cocktails by night, where from Sunday to Friday you can enjoy two for £15 on selected drinks. Kick back, relax, and enjoy the likes of an espresso martini, raspberry and rose sour, or picante margarita, plus so much more.
The picante margarita (pictured right).
3. LJ - Love Jericho Cocktail Bar
- Location: 30 Walton Street, Jericho, OX2 6AA
- Price: ££
- What to order: tiramisu (it's a drink, we promise)
- Why we recommend: we think this bar is perfect for those creative drinkers who are going out with their mates who are keen to stick to the classics. There's something for everyone at this Jericho-based drinking den
On the hunt for the best cocktail bar Oxford has to offer? Love Jericho is up there with some of the coolest, and definitely most fun. It also hosts cocktail masterclasses which are ideal for hen dos, stag dos, birthdays, and more.
Here you'll find expertly crafted drinks which are all about the classics, with some creative pours thrown in for good measure. The fruity Kiwi Garden, made with vodka and fresh kiwi, is one of our favourites, as well as the indulgent tiramisu. The latter includes a shot of coffee, dark and white Mozart, and is garnished with coffee beans and flaming chocolate dusting. It's pretty epic.
Cheers to the weekend at Love Jericho.
4. The Lighthouse
- Location: 1 Park End Street, Oxford City Centre, OX1 1HH
- Price: ££
- What to order: The Botanist
- Why we recommend: the mixology is second to none at The Lighthouse, which is impressive for a venue with such a broad range of drinks, spanning ales and draughts (sourced as locally as possible from the nearby Lion Brewery)
The Lighthouse is one of the top cocktail bars Oxford City Centre has up its sleeve, and is a dream for gin lovers, thanks to its large collection of boutique gins (and rums) unique to the city. It's a tapas restaurant as well as a bar, which means you're in for a treat when it comes to tasty bites alongside your tipples.
You'll also find a great mix of Rioja, zinfandel rosé, and pinot grigio - our tip? Order a bottle of wine and charcuterie on the deck by the riverside.
The Lighthouse is a tapas restaurant, cocktail bar, and private event space all rolled into one.
5. The OXO Bar
- Location: 48 George Street, Gloucester Green, OX1 2AQ
- Price: £
- What to order: white chocolate martini
- Why we recommend: you can sit among plush, dark teal booths and amber pendant lighting and enjoy expertly mixed drinks that won't break the bank
More choice, the better? If this sounds like a bit of you, then you'll be thrilled to find out that The OXO Bar comes with a stacked drinks list with over forty cocktails. These span from affordable (£8.50 each) timeless classics like passion fruit martinis, to special serves like the Singapore Sling, and the signature gin-based OXO cocktail.
Our favourite at this friendly and swerve bar has to be the white chocolate martini, made with white chocolate Mozart, Crème de Cacao, a dash of Frangelico, milk and cream. It's like dessert in a cup.
The OXO Bar does very good espresso martinis (pictured left).
6. The Mad Hatter
- Location: 43 Iffley Road, St Clement's, OX4 1EA
- Price: £
- What to order: a Tipsy Teapot
- Why we recommend: we love this dreamy, eccentric spot which is ideal for group nights out. Make sure you visit on Thursdays for their karaoke night from 6pm onwards, or Fridays for live music
This eccentric drinking den comes with not only karaoke rooms for you to sing your heart out in, but also live music and cocktail masterclasses. The Mad Hatter is an Oxford staple for an alternative night out, with plenty of kooky interiors and low lighting giving an intimate, fun vibe.
We can't help but be drawn to the Tipsy Teapot section, which serves up to four people per pot. These include the likes of Oap-Tini (featuring 42 Below vodka, Passaa, passionfruit puree, vanilla syrup, and a milk jug of prosecco on the side), Tweedledee (vodka and cranberry juice-based), and the rum-based Humpty Dumpty.
The Tipsy Teapot is a bestseller (pictured).
7. Lynrace
- Location: 103 Walton Street, Jericho, OX2 6EB
- Price: ££
- What to order: Lynrace negroni
- Why we recommend: this is one for those who like their cocktail menus curated with precision. It's an independent and contemporary home for cool spirits and exclusive producers
Sultry, contemporary and deliciously moody, Lynrace is a gorgeous cocktail bar that's ideal for romantic drinks as much as it is your next night out. It's got a roaring community spirit that's evident in its atmosphere, and elegant wooden panelled walls, tables, and slinky corners to snag a seat in to enjoy a martini.
The cocktail menu is curated by Lynrace Spirit, a unique concept owned and run by Lynrace Studio design house, who have their own studio space above the bar. Everything is made to order, including the signature drinks such as the Lynrace negroni, featuring Salcombe gin, Cocchi Dopo Teatro, and Gran Classio Bitter, and the espresso martini, made using Union Brew coffee.
Lynrace has gorgeous, moody interiors (pictured).
8. Raoul's Bar
- Location: 32 Walton Street, Jericho, OX2 6AA
- Price: ££
- What to order: St Basil
- Why we recommend: an Oxford cocktail institution, Raoul's pairs serious mixology skills with a chilled atmosphere, boasting an inventive menu crafted with fresh fruits, house-made syrups, and boutique spirits
Raoul's Bar is an iconic staple of Jericho's bohemian nightlife that has been serving world-class drinks since 1979. It's the kind of place where serious mixology meets a relaxed, intimate setting, complete with cosy seating nooks, a back-bar glistening with boutique spirits, and an infectious energy.
The cocktail menu is extensive, ambitious, and wildly creative, organised into inspired sections that span timeless classics to inventive signature creations. Everything is crafted with exceptional care, prioritising fresh-squeezed fruits, house-made syrups, and premium ingredients, resulting in standouts like the St Basil, playful original mixes, and perfectly balanced classic sours.
Raoul's Bar is an independent venue open 'til 1am every day.
9. Sandy’s Piano & Wine Bar
- Location: 4 King Edward Street, Oxford City Centre, OX1 4HS
- Price: ££
- What to order: Breezy G
- Why we recommend: combining the warmth of a late-night speakeasy with live music seven nights a week, Sandy's Piano & Wine Bar delivers world-class wines and inventively crafted cocktails in an electric, sing-along atmosphere
Sandy's Piano and Wine Bar is a hidden gem tucked away in central Oxford, perfect for everything from early evening wine-tasting to late-night drinks. It's set in an atmospheric basement complete with dim lighting, cosy seating, and a grand piano taking centre stage.
Drinks-wise, everything is playful, balanced, and packed with personality, taking classic foundations and elevating them with house-made cordials, infused spirits, and fruity twists. Highlights include their refreshing signature drink, the Breezy G - mixing cucumber gin, elderflower, and cucumber syrup - alongside creative riffs like the spicy margarita with its chilli-lime salt rim, the tea-time inspired Jamble made with homemade rosemary-raspberry jam, and the richly comforting Apricot Sour topped off with ginger.
Listen to live music and enjoy flaming cocktails.
FAQS
Are there any rooftop cocktail bars in Oxford?
Yes. The Alchemist sits on top of the Westgate Shopping Centre with a wrap-around terrace and views over the city. The Varsity Club has a rooftop lounge above the Covered Market.
Do I need to book a cocktail bar in Oxford in advance?
It depends on the venue and the night. Oxford gets busy at weekends, so booking ahead is recommended for popular spots.
Are there any quirky or themed cocktail bars in Oxford?
Oxford has a few genuinely unique options. The Mad Hatter on Iffley Road is an Alice in Wonderland-themed speakeasy where you order drinks via a telephone on your table, staff wear top hats, and you're asked a riddle at the door.
