Slug & Lettuce - Oxford

You'll find this slick cocktail spot right in the heart of Oxford Castle, where the historic setting gives even a chain venue some proper gravitas. The location alone – tucked into the castle complex near the old prison – makes it worth the trek from the city centre, and once you're inside, the polished interior and well-trained staff show this isn't your average high street boozer. The cocktail menu hits all the classics without getting too fancy, though they do them properly – think decent negronis and properly muddled mojitos rather than sugary nonsense. Weekend evenings transform the place into a proper party destination, with the crowd spilling out onto the castle courtyard when weather permits. Sure, it's part of a chain, but the Oxford Castle setting and surprisingly good execution make it work better than it has any right to.