The Wheatsheaf

Gig venue for bands and comedy.
  • Food and drink
  • Pub

Smallish venue with emphasis on local rock & indie bands and top quality jazz. Stand out nights include The Spin Jazz Club (Thu): one of the best live contemporary jazz nights in the country, the club won the PRS Foundation Award for new music in 2002 & 2003. Klub Kakofanney (first Fri of each month): a psychedelic box of treats hosted by local legends Redox. Most events have a modest cover charge, typically prices range from about £5 to £12

6 reviews

129 High Street
Oxford
OX1 4DF

Opening hours: Mon-Sat 11am-11pm, Sun 12pm-10.30pm

01865 721156 wheatsheaf.oxford

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Reviews

Since Simon (the former manager) left The Wheatsheaf a few months ago the place has turned pretty bad in terms of atmosphere. On the last 2-3 visits to the pub the place seems to have turned very 'white van man' combined with the SAME old depressing face ENDLESSLY on that pool table bringing everyone down. The familiar fun, enthusiastic, bar staff have all gone which is a bit of an odd move by the new management, as they really made the place work - that for me was the final straw. There are plenty of other pubs in Oxford that are far more enjoyable to spend time in.

Great place... Friendly staff, great gigs in what feels like a very genuine kind of pub venue... not club like and trendy but a real local... no mean feat in a city centre like oxford.
The Wheatsheaf has now established itself as Oxford's leading small music venue. The 150 capacity venue hosts live music 4 nights a week ranging from Acoustic to Indie & Heavy Rock. There is also a very popular comedy club on Moday evenings. Every Thursday is The Spin Jazz club which is one of the finest jazz clubs in the UK. It has twice won the Performing Rights Society Awards (2001/2002) and been shortlisted three times for Best UK Jazz Venue in the prestigious Parliamentary Jazz Awards (2006/2007/2008). There is an excellent choice of beer and guest ales and they also have some great value discounts on spirits. Overall a popular and very friendly pub, highly recommended for music lovers of all genres.
A dreadful place for a drink, however good the gigs may be.
The pubs that are hidden away off High Street (this one, The Chequers and The Bear) are some of the best in central Oxford. Just as well they are tucked away down narrow alleys and are missed by the hoards of Japanese tourists and Spanish teenagers.

The Wheatsheaf is a music venue as well as a pub. The ground floor is a pretty standard pub with a pool table, quite a few games machines and a better than average digital juke box. Boddingtons on tap is also a welcome sight. The toilets are across the alley way and are a bit grim though.

The upstairs music venue is not much more than a long room with a small bar and stage at one end, however said all that it does have a cosy tight atmosphere and there are often good local up-and-coming bands plying their wares at weekends. There is usually a door fee of about £3-£4 but on the nights I've been it has been well worth it.
Review this venue

129 High Street
Oxford
OX1 4DF

Opening hours: Mon-Sat 11am-11pm, Sun 12pm-10.30pm

01865 721156 wheatsheaf.oxford

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