The Star

Recently I set foot in the Star on Rectory Road during the day, for a mere second time in my twelve year Oxford residency. It’s usually somewhere that heralds the start of a very messy evening for me and my friends alike. Especially with the addition of Weston’s Cider on tap (altogether now “...I am a cider drinker”) and always packed with likeminded Alternative students and locals who prefer the earthier, spit-and-sawdust approach to watering holes, as opposed to the unfortunate outcomes of some refurbishments suffered by other Cowley Road pubs in the past decade.

The day version of the Star Royal (I’d never even noticed it had a surname), is a bizarre departure from its night-time big sister. There were only four other people in there, one of whom was the friendly barman. It makes for a cosy café affair; go in and read a dog-eared book/magazine, scribble a bit in your notepad, stare into space, contemplate the stained carpet, worse for wear upholstery and terrible wallpaper, or just dribble into your pint (I did a bit of each), blissfully undisturbed.

Yes, there’s no food, only a wide variety of crisps - and a cash only policy can be frustrating if you’re caught short in the wallet department, but these are the penalties of comfort. I also thank my stars that, as far as I’m aware, there’s no WiFi either, if you want that then get thee behind to Costa Coffee (one of my many bones of contention with the corporate sexification of Cowley Road).

I think there should be a protection order on this pub; it is the last pub on (well, just off) Cowley Road which reflects the spirit of East Oxford many people first found, loved and have subsequently lost to Moroccan-style bars of varying calibres, flat screen TV sports dives and other bar-fly infested saloons, where even the most tattooed and hardened rocker would fear to tread due to the dubious clientele. You won’t find Sonic Youth being played in any of those places either. God bless the Star, all who sail in her and long may she remain.

Bluebell Brown (DI User), 16/04/09

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I love this pub, great atmosphere, great people, great times.

The garden in the summer is top, it's like going round a mate's for a houseparty (except you're not drinking out of a can).

Beer's a little steep though.

Matt F (Unverified), 10/07/07

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The Star brought Weston's into my life! For that reason & that reason alone it is "probably the best pub in the world". (yes they serve Carlsberg).

p.s. There are many other reasons.

Brucey (Unverified), 14/06/07

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You can't really go wrong with The Star, if you're in the Cowley Rd / St Clements area and wondering where to go for good atmos at any time of year then look no further.
There is a decent sized rear beer garden which gets busy in the summer whilst inside there is a generous amount of seating and two pool tables. Drinks are averagly priced but check out the bottled organic cider and the rarely seen Desperado Tequila beer.
Only minus point is diabolical men's toilet. Like something out of a Baghdadian bed-sit.

Joe B (Unverified), 30/04/07

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