The Jericho Tavern

Been there twice for food but never again. The food was horrible and the service was very slow, both times. Had to wait 40 minutes for a Sunday roast today and, when it arrived, the meat was burnt and full of fat and gristle. The best thing was the jar of horseradish sauce.

theweave (Unverified), 14/04/13

Went here with three colleagues after a day-long conference. Excellent simple food: steak, burger, veggy-burger, smoked mackerel pâté; all good. Home-made coleslaw, rocket salad and good chips. £12 per head. Service efficient and attentive. Sat in the garden. This hit the spot.

mp4man (Unverified), 30/06/12

Menu lacking larger salads for summer. Just a side salad on offer.

Dusty (Unverified), 21/04/11

Horrible! I will NEVER return. I had an issue with the service and made a complaint. Most horrid customer service on behalf of the responding manager. Sadly, the food was not good either. I think this place is over-hyped. Nice location, but people skills and service are lacking. Gives a bad name to British food and service.

zoineos (DI User), 19/04/11

Just a word of warning on the Jericho's much-feted music venue: very nice indeed, and certainly intimate and atmospheric, but possibly the worst-designed venue I've ever visited. The stage and half of the floor is up a step, meaning that only 1/2 the people at any given gig can actually see the band. I'm sure this is fine if you go to see a less popular band but if the night is sold out then you have to force your way to the front in order to see anything - unless you're exceptionally tall!

Hi oxford1! You have obviously never been to the 12 Bar Club on Denmark Street, London. Believe me, it makes the Jericho look like the Albert Hall :) - Ed

oxford1 (Unverified), 04/10/09

I think on the whole this place is a far sight better than it has been in years. I remember it before Radiohead even, and yes it was legendary - but time goes on!
Scream pubs were rubbish and no one should moan about paying a bit more for decent European lager because all UK-brewed lager is vile - anyone who thinks otherwise probably drinks Stella, so I rest my case!!  :)
Only fault of late has been the service. If I'm paying £3.40 for a pint of Erdinger I want it served in a clean, proper glass - it doesn't have to be branded but I suggest the staff should know their product better.
But it's a cool spot and the garden - with ferns etc. - is far better than the former car park, and really buzzes in the summer months.

Bp (DI User), 10/12/08

I'm not sure why people call this place 'pretentious'! I reserve that word for stuck up places and people with over inflated egos. Let's get to the point. Maybe some of the beers could be a bit cheaper but come on; the place is a complete mix of people. Musicians, music lovers, Oxford University students and regular punters all go there. If you want to enjoy some great live music and a decent atmosphere there are really a few good places to go in Oxford - The Jericho Tavern is one of them.

The men's toilets have just been refurbished. Thank God because they used to be sh*t. There's nothing pretentious about the place. It's just a cool pub with a legendary music venue upstairs stuck in the middle of Jericho.

Ray (Unverified), 27/11/08

One of the best music venues in Oxford - revived! Great acts have made it a point to play at the venue where the atmosphere is tops! I always know a few people there any time I go. The hot guys running the music venue have done a great job. x

Alix (Unverified), 07/02/08

What a rip-off for New Year's Eve! £15 for one very average dad's garage band, plus Stornoway who are great and the only reason I bothered to fork out. Service was terrible, the "food" was a few nibbles barely worth mentioning on the tickets, and it seemed to the people upstairs that the bar staff were more interested in taking care of the people downstairs who hadn't even paid for the privilege.

This is a nice music venue, and good location but they just have to stop taking the mickey with the prices!

AnnE (DI User), 03/01/08

Again, another pub that I preferred as a Scream bar.

Why do they keep turning cheap boozers with good atmospheres into pretentious bars with outrageous prices. And why is it so bloody dark in the place you can't see a bleeding thing!

I like the return of live music upstairs though.

Matt F (Unverified), 10/07/07

I've had some lovely dishes and snacks there. Beers are good and they have some of the best live music acts I have heard in Oxford! I can see why Supergrass and Radiohead made their name there. I think Frank had sorted this place out and it's seems to get better ever time I go!

Luke (Unverified), 29/03/07

Sister bar to The Cape of Good Hope on The Plain, The Jericho was formerly a Scream pub, and whilst I'm glad that's moved on, what's replaced it has to be one of the most pretentious pub/bars in Oxford. Rip-off continental beers and an atmos that I'd consider gloomy rather than cosy. Music room upstairs. Has reasonable food menu. Beware if you're tall and male and in need of utilising the toilet facilities as the bogs here were built for midgets. Mind your head!

Joe B (Unverified), 22/03/07