Wig & Pen

You'll find yourself in one of Oxford's most genuinely authentic boozers, tucked between the courts and Carfax. The legal crowd spills in from the nearby Crown Court, mixing with students who've discovered that tourist traps aren't the only option in the city centre. The name gives it away – this has always been where Oxford's wigged and learned come to decompress. The Greene King ownership means reliable ales and a menu that won't surprise you, but it also means consistent quality and fair prices for the location. You're paying for atmosphere here, and the wood-panelled interior delivers exactly what you want from a proper Oxford pub. Friday and Saturday nights stretch until 1am, making it one of the few decent late options that isn't a sticky-floored student dive.