Entertainment in Oxford

Tickets

Tickets for many Oxford events are available through the Oxford Playhouse's TicketsOxford service (or calling their box office on 01865 305305). Tickets for shows at the New Theatre (formerly the Apollo) and the OFS Studio (formerly the Old Fire Station) – both in George Street – can be booked online through ClearChannel at getlive.co.uk.

Additional tickets may be found at TicketMaster and WeGotTickets.

Cinemas

Current listings for Oxford's cinemas can be found here.

Odeon Cinemas, Magdalen Street / George Street. 0871 2244 007 (recorded info)
The Magdalen Street Odeon has two screens, the George Street three. Both show recently released films, the Magdalen Street one focusing on the week's big blockbuster(s), while the George Street cinema carries the other major films on release.
The Phoenix Picture House, Walton Street. 01865 512526
This features foreign, cultural and artistic films, as well as the best of the recent releases. There are disabled facilities. Free monthly programme is available from outside the cinema.
Ultimate Picture Palace, Jeune Street. 01865 245288
The UPP (formerly the Penultimate Picture Palace) is a small cinema just off the Cowley Road which shows all the classic films you ever wanted to see and one or two you'll never have heard of. A free monthly programme is available outside the cinema.
Vue Cinema (Ozone Multiplex), nr. Kassam Stadium, Greater Leys. 0870 444 3030
Oxford's edge-of-town complex. 9 screens, big roomy seats, surround sound, all-singing all-dancing, etc. Mainly big Hollywood releases, plus the occasional Bollywood or art-house film. Sports bar and bowling underneath for afterwards.

Nightclubs

See our Gig Venues Guide or our Nightclubs & Bars page for full listings. Here, for starters, are 6 of the most popular:

The Coven II, Oxpens Road. 01865 242770
Large (for Oxford!), dark, cave-like venue hosting techno, trance and hard(ish) house. Gay-friendly. One of the few Oxford refuges for semi-serious clubbers. Recently installed Oxfordshire's biggest sound system.
The Park End Club, Park End Street. 01865 250181
Oxford's most popular student venue. Some big-name DJs, including some from local radio station Fox FM. Cheap and nasty, but you're bound to pull.
The Card iac, 190 Cowley Road. 01865 420042
Within days of the ex-Zodiac being reborn as The Carling Academy (Sept 2007) not only had it been popularly renamed but a band called the Cardiacs had sprung up like a mushroom. The new venue is cleaner (for the time being) and bigger, and while the indie ambience has gone and it doesn't present as many local bands as it used to, it's, well, cleaner and bigger and attracting bigger-name bands.
The Studio, 35 Westgate Centre. 01865 245136
One of the favourite nightspots for young people in Oxford, apparently. The music is cheesy, the dancefloor lighting is fluorescent. This link will give you some idea.
The Bridge, Hythe Bridge Street. 01865 242526
Slightly classier version of The Studio, we think, although not with any authority. R&B.
Oxford Brookes Student Union, Headington Hill Campus. 01865 484750
Biggest venue in town, therefore second only to the Zodiac in playing host to the town's most crowd-pulling visitors (bands with stuff in the charts, top drum & bass and other DJs, etc.).

Current listings for Oxford theatres and outdoor shows can be found here.

The Burton Taylor Theatre, Gloucester Street. 01865 305305
Studio theatre sharing box office with the Playhouse. Mainly student productions but also some performances by small theatre companies. Tickets bookable in advance - advisable as the theatre seats only about 60 people. Drama workshops during vacations encourage participation by children and people with disabilities.
New Theatre, George Street. 0870 6063500
Owned by entertainment multinational Clear Channel, Oxford's largest theatre hosts a great variety of entertainment (large popular musicals, touring dramatic productions, opera, ballet, pop) with some famous names (recently: Chuck Berry, Brian Wilson, Jamie Cullum, the Welsh National Opera).
The North Wall Arts Centre, South Parade, Summertown, OX2 7NN. 01865 319450
New, award-winning, 240-seat theatre converted from a Victorian swimming pool. Specialises in programming original (and often quirky) contemporary theatre, comedy, music and dance, and ticket prices are very reasonable. The light, airy space in the foyer is used as an art gallery. Part of St Edward's School.
OFS Studio Theatre (formerly the Old Fire Station), George Street. 01865 297170
Another small studio theatre featuring student productions (but of a somewhat better standard); it also features big name comedians, University comedy revue, etc.
Oxford Playhouse, Beaumont Street. 01865 305305
Oxford's serious receiving house also hosts musicians in concert, literary events and an annual Christmas panto. Has two theatre bars (one upstairs, one down) and full facilities for disabled people.
Pegasus Theatre, Magdalen Road. 01865 722851
Home of Oxford Youth Theatre. Experimental shows and innovative professional performances.
The Theatre at Headington, Headington School. 01865 759138
240 seat studio theatre with a programme encompassing everything from professional productions from leading touring companies to concerts, lectures and workshops.