The Fir Tree

The Fir Tree Pub Quiz.
Iffley Road, Thursdays, 8pm. Entry £1 per contestant. The quiz here was lively and great fun. Five rounds, each with their own prize, meant that glory could be claimed by more than one team over the course of the evening and you didn’t have to wait till midnight for some answers to be read. The prizes (ranging from a £10 bar voucher to a bag of nuts) were allotted to winners through a roulette style choosing of brown envelopes picked ceremoniously by a member of the winning team.

The questions were about right (for my taste): only a smatter of sporting personalities and a good sweep through TV, history, literature and general randomness. There was also an association round, where each answer is connected in some way to a theme, in our case ‘gardens’, and extra points are awarded for recognition of the theme, as well as a trick question about the number of hands belonging to Big Ben (who, being a bell and not a clock, has none.) Very satisfying if your team got it!

General enthusiasm and a friendly bar staff made for an excellent evening. Get there early for a seat and order a pizza before 9pm. They smelled yummy.

 

Emma Pearson (Unverified), 06/08/10

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At last the Sunday roast is back! I have spent the last few months trying to find a Sunday lunch in Oxford to match that of the value and quality of the roast served at The Fir Tree but to no avail. Two meat choices and a vegetarian option, enough vegetables to get your 5 a day in, not an Aunt Bessie's in sight - it's all homemade, and you won't go away hungry. This is definitely my number 1 Sunday roast in Oxford, but if you decide to give it a try don't sit at the window table because it's mine!

Deirdre Rasheed (Unverified), 08/10/08

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I paid my first visit to The Fir Tree yesterday afternoon whilst trying to find shelter from the rain. I was greeted with a very warm welcome from one of the landlords; this may have been because I was the only person in the pub at the time, but as the bar quickly filled up it became apparent that all receive the same high level of customer service that I had experienced. I sampled a pint or two of a very well kept Rev. James and snacked on the superior and locally made Jonathan Crisps. Food is not currently being served as the kitchen is out of action due to the development of an outside patio area which will be a welcome addition, but it is a shame that Sunday lunches are not being served as I have heard that it was one of the best in Oxford.

A nice touch is the chalk board in the ladies toilet which allows customers to give feedback on the pub, giving it a quick scan it would seem that the two 'young' male landlords are a big pull for this establishment. So girls, if you are looking for a pub which provides a welcoming atmosphere, serves good beer and snacks, and provides a bit of eye candy, then The Fir Tree is definitely the pub for you. I shall certainly be making it my local.

Deirdre Rasheed (Unverified), 19/06/08

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Excellent pub. Much improved. We ate there on a Friday night and the food was fantastic, very good value, well presented and very tasty for pub grub.. The food and atmosphere here sets the standard very high for other places in Oxford, and the Fir Tree is definitely becoming our firm favourite for drinks and for a pub meal. The staff here are friendly and the drinks are reasonably priced too. It's a great place to go for a relaxed drink even when you don't want a meal. The glasses of nuts/mini eggs/sweets are a really good addition as well...much more appealing than the usual bag of crisps etc.

Jane (DI User), 21/02/08

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Great choice of beer, good red wine friendly staff and amazingly good value food. Easy on the ear juke box. What a great place to unwind. Good mix of customers - locals, students and tourists.

Baz (Unverified), 08/02/08

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This pub has it all - friendly bar staff, good selection of ales, and now home cooked food. The boon is that it opens late on Friday and Saturday. Great atmosphere and the best roast in oxford..

mo (DI User), 23/01/08

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Forget older reviews below, since the new management have scrubbed the place clean, started selling good beers, crisps & peanuts etc, (with food starting soon) this pub has become a real friendly local. Good atmosphere - whether it is quiet or busy - and good music. Choice of areas to sit to match your mood from a) at the bar. b) up the steps to the bay windowed room. c) the back room snug. Recommended.

Ric (Unverified), 10/12/07

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I had a great time at this pub last weekend.
I had not been before, but had heard terrible rumours....it seems that under the new management vast improvements have been made, and now...no dogs allowed thankfully!
It's certainly the only pub that I would like to frequent in Oxford....a new favourite.
Quaint and funky, with a fabulous atmosphere, and yes "an amazing jukebox".
People behind the bar were very easy on the eye too ;o)

BestBibby (Unverified), 15/08/07

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I really like this pub, it's got a nice atmosphere, friendly bar staff, quality juke box and it's open till 2am at weekends. Result.

Matt F (Unverified), 10/07/07

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Went to the Fir Tree last night to find it is now under new management - two young guys who are really committed. The mangy dogs have gone and the place has had a good clean, although none of the old character has gone. I found it really friendly, laid back and full of charm. Plus it has the best juke box in Oxford!

Jane (Unverified), 05/07/07

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My favourite pub in Oxford at the mo, and believe me, I've been to nearly all of them in the last year! The atmosphere is second-to-none in here, especially on a cold winter's night when it's buzzing with locals and students. seating is limited but if you can get a table in one of the cosy, warm seating areas, you will have a great night. Good juke box, fruit machine and some limited roadside seating at the front. The bar area is small though, and watch out not tread on a pub dog or 2! The decor is from a chain-pub tat warehouse but this only adds to atmosphere.

Joe B (Unverified), 14/03/07

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