The Britannia

Thursdays, 8pm, £1 entry

The quiz is quite busy, and the scores are usually quite high. Usually in the 50's out of 60. The lowest score I've seen is 36 out of 60, and that was a shock. £1 entry. Quiz mistress is quite nice and occasionally might crack the odd joke in her lovely welsh accent. There are professional players (who are not usually students) and students, the latter are usually trying to cheat on a few answers by googling in the toilets or when they are outside "smoking a fag"... You mark your own answers.

The quiz consists of the standard 10 pictures at the start and there are 10 questions at the end where if you get one wrong you get all 10 wrong. There are other types of rounds in between. It's usually quite a laugh and you can drink until 12.30am.

Bob (Unverified), 14/05/09

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As a party of 12 we booked weeks in advance and were asked to decide on the menu. Yet, the day we showed up, 2 weeks ago, some of the items (turkey) weren't there. I was overcharged (then refunded after complaining) for my wine, and my salmon filet was half-frozen (and quickly microwaved afterwards). Today, my friend and I were basically kicked out of the place at lunch time because she had her one-year old with her. Since I like my fish cooked (except in sushi places), and hate age discrimination, I won't go back there for a while.

Bruno (Unverified), 12/12/08

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A group of us (around 20) went to The Brittania today at lunchtime - it was quiet and they had no trouble accommodating us! The menu is quite varied (with an emphasis on good pub grub) and prices reasonable. We had no difficulties with the fact that there were so many of us (and each ordered separately) and most of the food came pretty much together.

I thought the food was of extremely mediocre quality. Most of the dishes are some form of meat in a bun plus chips, and cost around £5. I would say that it's fine for a quick lunch, but don't be expecting particularly exciting or good food! The portions are a little on the meagre side for a pub.

Headington dweller (Unverified), 28/02/08

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The wine is well priced, making for a pretty cheap night out. Me and my friends tend to go midweek lunchtimes when its usually quiet and there's always somewhere to sit. The only problem we have with the place is the miserable barstaff - verging on rude!

ian (Unverified), 22/02/08

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Visited for a midweek lunch recently and although it is clear to see that there has been some improvement since the new management took over, there is still room for more.

As you walk through the front door your eyes are immediately drawn to a large glass-fronted case containing numerous bottles of wine. This I think is a mis-guided effort to give the impression that The 'Brit' should be taken more seriously nowadays as an eatery, rather than the chav-tastic pub it used to be. The bar and fittings are much the same as they were before with arguably some slightly more subtle lighting making the whole atmos feel a bit warmer. Drinks on offer are fairly standard issue with a high percentage of bottled cider on offer.

All so far so good, but then it was time to order food...

They've really shot themselves in the foot here I'm afraid. I was with 2 other people and we had to wait 25 mins for our food even though there were only a couple of other tables eating. Indeed, the group of 4 sitting next to us actually made a point of complaining about the wait for theirs. My chicken burger was ok though the chicken was flamegrilled (this is perhaps too generous a term) until burnt and the accompanying chips were undercooked. I also received mine at least 10 mins before the others so I had finished it before my friends' meals arrived. One of them did say however that his bangers and mash were pretty good - made with real Bulmer's sausages and plenty of thick-ish gravy.

Overall, better than before but still a long way to go.

Joe B (Unverified), 23/10/07

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This came under new management in July 2007, and is much improved. Really friendly and helpful staff and pleasant atmosphere

old roadie (Unverified), 26/08/07

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I have visited here recently and the new menu after the refurb has really improved - the portions are less but the quality is better, possibly influenced by a new head chef? This pub has been through a rough patch recently though I can see it improving. The food is still cheap and the new staff are pleasant and friendly - I would highly recommend a visit.

Brookes Student (Unverified), 03/07/07

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Joe B - other review - has said it all but missed the mean portions of overpriced food from the menu that is out of the "we have a deep fat fryer and a microwave" cook book, I want to like this pub but there is just something about it that I can't quite put my finger on. The fact they charged a young mum next to me at the bar £1.25 for a 25cl orange squash for her 3 year old was just ridiculous, now I'm not one for kids running round pubs but £1.25 for a 3 year old to sit in the garden - money grabbing at it's worst.

BigGav (Unverified), 17/04/07

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I really can't stick this place. There is nothing wrong with it at face value, as it is clean and friendly enough (since Oxford Utd moved out opposite anyway), however it stands for everything that is wrong with modern pubs. The staff all wear uniforms and all have that 'i'd-rather-be-anywhere-else' look about them. The drinks and decor are uninpiringly safe choices and the clientèle is mainly young lager louts piling cash into fruit machines.

Joe B (Unverified), 14/03/07

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Pleasant pub, good prices, comfortable but odd bit of trouble now and again

Local Yokel (Unverified), 20/08/06

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