This central Oxford pub has recently been revamped and renamed and has brought in a real Oxford crowd in the process.

The Venue
Previously The Goose and The Fuggle and Firkin, this pub has now been completely refurbished and has reverted to its old name - The Red Lion. Owned by Welcome Inns, although not inviting from the outside with its odd brown tile, pale stone and orange artexed exterior, it’s very modern and contemporary inside.

It’s spacious and open plan with pale floorboards, cream walls and areas with a patterned dark brown carpet. The venue is sectioned off into small seating areas with armchairs, sofas and clusters of lamps and there are plenty of screens dotted around. There’s a central island bar with pear drop lamps suspended above it and the large decked patio out the back is a big pull, especially in the warmer months. There’s a small mezzanine section inside which is pretty cool too.

The People
The Red Lion seems to be, if anything, even busier since the refurb. It’s a real locals’ place and you’re hard pushed to find many students (or tourists) in here. Instead it’s young lads and lasses in jeans, T-shirts and trainers, as well as couples and older chaps sitting on their own watching the TV or reading the paper.

The Food and Drink
You can get a pint of Carlsberg for £1.99 and there’s also Boddington’s, Pedigree, Old Speckled Hen, Stella, Kronenbourg, Guinness, John Smith’s and Staropramen - as well as the increasingly popular Bulmer’s - on draught. Blossom Hill wines are on tap too.

In bottles there’s Magner’s, Kopparberg, Beck’s, Budweiser, Corona, Leffe and San Miguel. Promotions include a double and mixer for £2.70. Sandwiches, salads, jacket potatoes, burgers and grills are all on offer. A chicken tikka balti is £5.25 and a meal and a drink offer is £3.99. Try their scrumptious apple and blackberry flapjack crumble for £2.69.

The Last Word
A locals’ pub with a new look, The Red Lion is as popular as ever.

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