City Arms

Visited recently to watch some sport on their massive screens and found the whole place to have received a massive re-vamp. To be fair, it really needed it but I have mixed feelings about it. The interior previously was the non-descript light wood of all Scream pubs around the country and felt a bit of a 2002 throwback with an emphasis on games machines and pool tables more than seating areas and attractive decor. The re-vamp makes it feel like a Tunisian Wetherspoons! It's still a Scream pub but there are lots of lamps hanging from the ceiling, a large maroon divide at the front which if anything restricts the seating for watching matches and toilet doors painted to look like book cases. The biggest thing though that hits you is the darkness of the place - it feels like a stoner students bedroom with the curtains still shut and feels quite claustrophobic. Better selection of beers on tap though including the posh fruit beer Fruli and I also notice they now have Sky as well as Setanta.

I don't mind the changes, but I'll like them even more if it scares away the Carling lager chav brigade who come here for the football

Joe B (Unverified), 24/02/08

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Best place to watch sport in Oxford that I know of. Other pubs charge ridiculous city prices and don't offer big screens either. Cheap drinks if you have a yellow card, which students can get. Decent pool tables, reasonable prices on food. Everything a young person could want from a pub.

M-money (Unverified), 02/11/07

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Used to be an excellent pub full of welcoming and friendly people. Just a really great atmosphere for all to enjoy. Has slipped a bit lately I'm afraid as a lot of the previously banned local scallys are now there on the weekends and the new staff aren't nearly as efficient or friendly/happy bunch as they used to be.

rich (Unverified), 21/03/07

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I can't really recommend this place unless you want to to watch big screen sport or play pool as it is a run-of-the-mill Scream chain pub catering for mainly students. They can get Yellow Card discounts whilst the rest of us have to pay this pub's higher than average prices. No character, not worth stopping unless you're male, 19 yrs old and your favourite drink in the world is a pint of Carling.

Joe B (Unverified), 14/03/07

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