17 High Street,
City Centre,
Oxford,
OX1 4AG
(01865) 244 563
The ViewOxford Review
The Mitre is one of the biggest pubs in Oxford and it packs them in by the coach load.
A very large, multi-roomed venue The Mitre (like The Turl Bar around down the alley) is owned by Beefeater, so there’s a pile ‘em high food policy.
The Venue
Once you’ve counted up the number of place settings you'll realise this is one of the biggest pubs in the city centre. There is a flagstone-floored style atrium as you come in from the High Street and the bar is to your left. Elsewhere there are rooms off rooms, all decked out with plenty of tables and chairs for sitting down and scoffing.
The decor is comfortable traditional pub style with dark maroon curtains on the windows and small lamps emitting a yellow glow on the walls. Pictures of old Oxford are spread across the walls, the floor is both wood and carpeted and there’s some exposed brickwork. There are concessions to modernity with some spotlights in the ceiling and big funky lampshades.
The People
The Mitre can get totally packed out with coach-trippers and, on days like this, the average age is going on 50 to 60. At other times it’s invaded by curious tourists and weary shoppers, but you can usually find a table somewhere, even when it’s at its busiest.
The Food and Drink
The cheapest pint here is Carling at £2.46. Also on draught are Stella, Guinness, Carlsberg, London Pride, Heineken, Tetley’s, Blackthorn and local ale Brakspear. And in bottles you’ve got Budweiser, Holsten, Magner’s, Newcastle Brown Ale, Peroni, Corona, Beck’s and Aspall’s cider. Wines range from £9.95 a bottle (for a Californian Copperidge Chardonnnay) to £13.25.
An easy-drinking Pinot Grigio Frizzante Blush is a good deal at £4.20 a large glass or £11.95 for the bottle. As well as the ‘restaurant’ menu, there’s a bar menu which includes sausage and mash for £5.99, a beefburger for £7.99 and a steak club sandwich for £6.25. To finish there’s cheesecake for £4.25.
The Last Word
The Mitre makes its money through food, so don’t expect flashing lights and disco music. But if you want to take it easy among fellow travellers then grab and seat and a menu and enjoy.
The Mitre has been reviewed by 2 users