The Oxford Arms is a real drinking man’s pub. A regular’s favourite.

The Venue
This very old fashioned pub has probably not been decorated since the seventies but don’t let that put you off. It’s a pub. It serves beer. It is actually quite refreshing that the Oxford Arms hasn’t succumbed to the need to update its image to an all singing, all dancing venue.

The floors are wooden, the furniture is wooden and the bar is wooden; all a deep mahogany and sufficiently comfortable enough for a few drinks with friends. The less distractive decor and the unobtrusive ‘80s pop rock and modern mix of music enable you to do what you are really there to do – catch up with friends and enjoy a good drink.

The Atmosphere
Amply sized to hold quite a generous crowd, the Oxford Arms sees a mixed clientele: fortysomething regulars supping on pints of real ale at the bar; sports fans catching the latest fixtures on the large and amply supplied widescreens; and large groups of hip and trendy Camdenites starting, having or ending a good night out. As a negative, given its central location it can also attract less welcoming types but good door staff are on hand to ensure potential arguments are over before they’ve started.

The Food
Probably not the most inviting eating venue in Camden, there are better places to go for food than the Oxford Arms, but if you are peckish you can’t go wrong with a bowl of chips. Eating elsewhere is recommended if you are looking for a meal out, as 40 years of grime does not a good accompaniment make. Bar snacks of Pringles and nuts are available to help line the stomachs during long drinking sessions, something this pub is great for.

The Drink
There are no fireworks here; typical pub offerings are served at typically high London prices. Lagers include Carling, Kronenbourg and Hoegaarden, whilst the ale selection is good with London Pride and John Smith on tap. For the hip cider drinkers there is Magners bottles served, of course, with ice. You may expect more when paying such a high tariff but what it lacks in trendy interior is more than made up for with the welcoming and buzzing atmosphere.

The Last Word
The Oxford Arms is not pretty but it does what it says on the tin: the service is good, the prices are what’s expected and it’s open late.

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