The Times’ 12th Coolest Restaurant’s website declares itself “a place where people from all walks of life, rub shoulders with each other” and models itself on the home-brewing beer houses of Victorian Britain. The Pint Shop’s online self-portrait guarantees “craft beer, intimacy & fun, throw in some killer food, cooked on coals, just as it was 1830 and deliver it with a bunch of amazing people.”
Evoking this news, Becca Chaplin and Jacqui Thorndyke from food guide Bitten Oxfordtold Cherwell, “We’re always pleased to have new food and drink venues opening in the centre of Oxford, especially when they’ve been winning Awards and recognition left, right and centre, plus we’ve needed some excitement on the scene for a while.
“Craft beers are really coming into their own here, especially with so many excellent local breweries and we’re definitely excited by The Pint Shop’s menu. Our only reservation would be that they’re from Cambridge!”
Ed Murry from the local Shotover Breweries commented “a lot of the pubs in Oxford are tied,” which means that they have to serve the pub chain’s branded beer, “so if Pint Shop’s independent, great!”
Night out aficionado and student Malachi Rayner was another to express interest, “Local craft ales are something students are starting to embrace, cheap and alcoholic, and a break from sickly hyped up £1 jäger bombs and alcopop deals in college bars.”
Newly appointed Balliol Rugby Club Social Secretary Calum Holt also noted the Pint Shop’s decor and ale selection, telling Cherwell with excitement, “I’m looking forward to being very responsible with a small group of friends from chess club in this bar!”
The Pint Shop remained unavailable for comment, presumably too busy planning how to escape Cambridge.
