Wednesday 20th August 2025
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A guide to LGBTQ+ life in Oxford

Ciara Rushton
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A guide to LGBTQ+ life in Oxford

Welcome to Oxford! As an LGBTQ+ fresher, there is plenty for you to get involved with in Oxford. The University and the city as a whole has a thriving LGBTQ+ community for you to become a part of, whether you are interested in campaigning, reading groups, clubbing, or just meeting other members of the community.

In the first instance, get to know your JCR LGBTQ+ representatives, and, if your college has them, Trans representatives. They perform similar roles, helping with running welfare events and other support, acting as advocates for LGBTQ+ issues and individuals within the college, helping connect members of the community around the college, and so on. Trans Reps also perform additional roles specifically for the trans community, including administering gender expression funds within colleges and more. You will likely get the opportunity to meet these people in Freshers’ Week, so it’s worth introducing yourself if you feel comfortable doing so! Furthermore, you may eventually be interested in standing to hold these positions to act as an advocate for LGBTQ+ individuals within your college, so it’s worth having a conversation with them to find out more about what the role entails.

The wider University also has a lot going on for members of the LGBTQ+ community, mainly led by the LGBTQ+ Society and the LGBTQ+ Campaign (who are also publishing their own Freshers’ Guide). The difference between these two is that the Campaign mainly focuses on advocating for LGBTQ+ students at the University and for LGBTQ+ issues, whereas the Society focuses on putting on events, inviting speakers and bringing together members of the community. Both are great to get involved with depending on your interests within the community and activism!

The LGBTQ+ Society gives many opportunities for members of the community from across colleges, years, courses and so on to meet. Whilst the specific representatives will put on events for different sections of the community, the Society as a whole puts on many events for all LGBTQ+ individuals, including the weekly Tuesday Drinks. These are a great chance to meet individuals from all different colleges, before (if you choose) going on to the Plush LGBTQ+ club afterwards. They are held at a different college each week, so be sure to check out the Society’s termcard to see where they will be. Other than this, you may also have signed up to get Rainbow Parents via the society, which are the same as college parents in their mentoring role but for the LGBTQ+ community. Overall, the Society and its events provide a great opportunity to meet individuals from across the University who are in the LGBTQ+ community! It’s worth keeping up with the Campaign’s work as well, so that you can find out more about different workshops, talks, lectures and so on if you’re interested in these.

As mentioned, Oxford has several LGBTQ+ venues to visit, including the Plush nightclub and the Jolly Farmers pub, the UK’s oldest LGBTQ+ pub. Both put on a variety of events and are a great place to meet other members of the community. The main LGBTQ+ club night in Oxford, taking place on the same day each week as the Tuesday Drinks, is Skittles, held at Plush, and you’ll be sure to have a great time dancing the night away to songs by icons of the LGBTQ+ community.

This is just a snippet of the different opportunities to meet other LGBTQ+ individuals in Oxford. The most important thing is that Oxford is a fantastic environment in which to express yourself, your sexuality, and your gender identity freely. With so many opportunities to get involved in activism, events, and so on, as well as to simply make some lifelong friends, we hope that you will enjoy joining such a vibrant and wholesome community in Oxford. 

Image credit: SHVETS production via Pexels.

Your Oxford A-Z

Katerina Lygaki
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Your Oxford A-Z

A is for Atik – Oxford’s biggest club ! With a fantastic range of three ! whole ! floors ! there’s no better place to spend a Wednesday evening (because the clubs here – apart from Plush – rotate nights on a weekly basis). Make friends with a Blue (someone who plays sports for the uni) and they can get you free entry.

B is for Bodcard – Your most valuable piece of equipment. Opens your doors, gets you into libraries and if you’re feeling lucky, sometimes into clubs if you haven’t got your ID handy (tried and tested).

C is for Crewdate – Held at either Jamal’s or Temple Lounge : imagine a sports social crossed with a playgroup, add in a full bottle of wine per crewdater, and you’ve got the idea. And don’t forget to wear your cleanest shoes.

D is for George & Danver/Davis/Delilah – Also known as G&Ds, you’re never far from one of their three locations (Cowley, Central, and Jericho), and more importantly their delicious homemade ice cream, which comes in weird and wonderful flavours.

E is for Eights – The summer intercollegiate rowing race – if you’re unlucky enough to get suckered into rowing it’ll dominate your Trinity, but for the rest of us it’s an excuse to spend a summer day chilling by the river with barbeques and enough cheap Pimms to sink a battleship down at the boathouses.

F is for Facebook – Where an unreasonable amount of crucial information is to be found.  Although in the real world it’s for aged millennials only, it’s worth downloading once you’re here – especially if you’re into the artsy side of things (@oxforduniartshub).

G is for Gladstone Link – A.K.A. the Glink, this is the unsung hero of Oxford’s wide constellation of libraries; basically a nuclear bunker located beneath the Rad Cam. Windowless, well-stocked, and above all warm, it’s a good place to study if you get easily distracted or you find yourself afraid you’ll freeze to the seats of your college library.

H is for Hack – Someone alarmingly involved with the Union, campaigning for something (I would tell you more but my parents hugged me when I was little) with an almost unsettling aggression. Even if you don’t have a membership, it can be fun to string them along – I once knew a hack who went for up to seven coffees a day with potential voters, so you might as well get a free Pret out of it.

I is for Isis – No, no that one. I’m talking about the oldest student publication in Europe – the arty one of all the student papers, mysterious, elusive, and also the only one which gets really into event planning – follow their IG for more !

J is for JCR – The Junior Common Room, or the collective noun for a college’s undergraduates. It might also be a physical place in your college, and if it is it’ll be exactly what it sounds like.

K is for Kickstand – Which is a part of a bike. A weak link from me perhaps, but a bike can be a really useful thing to have, especially if your college or faculty are further out or far away from each other – or for getting out into the wilderness of Port Meadow (home to wild horses, cows and a frankly terrifying horde of geese).

L is for Library – Everyone’s got their favourite, and there is a useful guide to them elsewhere in this fine publication. Just go to as many as you can to scope them out – don’t by any means be confined by your subject (humanities have all the prettiest ones) – and give the Glink a chance!

M is for Matriculation – Start your term with a bang by dressing up like a penguin who decided to go into law, day drinking, and having some Latin spoken at you. Stay out of the libraries – and close your mouth if you end up jumping into any of our putrescent bodies of water

N is for Najar’s – Unquestionably one of the best food places in town (by the Magdalen Street Tesco, A.K.A. Big Tesco), because the falafel & hummus-based wraps can be any meal from a hungover brunch to a healthful dinner. Make sure to bring cash, because their card machine is ephemeral, and a book for the queue.

O is for – Well. You know where you are. And if you don’t, I’m certainly not telling you – but are you quite sure you’re in the right place ?

P is for Porter – These lovely individuals are the true power behind the throne of the colleges – always up for a chat, or to answer any questions you have. They will silently witness you drunkenly degrading yourself at least once in your time here, but you’ll love them for it.

Q is for Queer – If you didn’t already know, Oxford has got to be one of the fruitiest unis in the country. I personally think this has something to do with the chokehold dark academia has or had upon members of the queer community – but it means there’s a weekly social (Tuesgays, with subsidised drinks at a different college each week), not one but two gay clubs (Plush and Glamorous), and even an LGBTQ+ ball.

R is for Radcliffe Camera – The big round thing in the centre of Radcliffe Square. You can go inside and use the library which (thanks to the circular structure) functions a little like a Panopticon. Or you could just be like the rest of us and make sure it’s in the background of as many photos as possible.

S is for Sconce – One of the many features of crewdates (see above). Imagine a cross between a wedding toast and a very targeted game of never have I ever. 

T is for Trashing – When your friends line you up against a wall, and proceed to bombard you with anything from silly string to baked beans to shaving foam, in order to celebrate you finishing literally any set of formal exams. Traditionally followed by a cleansing running jump into a body of water.

[Ed’s note : Trashing is technically banned under University rules. KOTG does in no way endorse the practice. But just so you know, last year only two trashes were unfortunate enough to be fined.]

U is for Undergraduate – What you likely now are. We have the most fun.

V is for Varsity – The Oxbridge annual ski trip. If you’ll keep the rah-city judgement to yourself for a minute, it’s good value for what it is, and you absolutely don’t need to be able to ski (or ever to have skied at all) to enjoy yourself. Learning on the job is really a very important part of anyone’s Oxford education.

W is for Walking – The best part about Oxford is that everything you need – especially in first year, when you’re living in college – is within walking distance. Not only that, but if capital ‘W’ walks are your thing (or if they could be), the surrounding countryside is an absolutely beautiful place to do it

X is for eXam Schools – Where you sit any formal exams. I’m a class of ’23 English student, so I haven’t seen and will never see the inside (thanks online exams), but apparently they are very big and have very pretty ceilings. Oh, and there will be someone whose actual job is to check you are wearing your sub fusc correctly.

Y is for Yours – Your Oxford experience is for you, so make sure you do what you want <3 [This is the weakest one yet, for which I apologise. However I am getting desperate and it was this or ‘youth’.]

Z is for Zoo – Which we unfortunately do not have. However, there is a Natural History Museum, which is free to enter for students, if you don’t mind your animals a little more preserved.

Image Credit: Katerina Lygaki.

Top of the shops

Madi Hopper
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Top of the shops

So – you’ve arrived. Naturally, the first thing you’ll want to do (once the Freshers’ Week hangover has loosened its chokehold) is shop. Luckily, Oxford is not only home to the Westgate shopping centre (which you can explore for yourself – shopping centres being much of a muchness, you can probably take a reasonable guess at what you’ll find), but also bursting with more sustainable shopping options. Luckily for you, I have decided to share the wisdom I have amassed through far too much time spent trawling.

  As far as charity shops go, I’d say a basic rule of thumb is the further out, the better – the ones in central Oxford are basically extortionately priced carcasses at this point, stripped clean by the pressures of being located in a city heavily peopled with those who think £15 is a normal amount to spend on a single charity shop item. Jericho is somehow worse. But fear not! There’s a Oxfam megastore way out past Cowley which, whilst admittedly not great for clothes, also has a massive homeware section that’s good for picking up crockery as well as assorted home furnishings (notably lamps and speakers, though these can be a bit of a pain to get back on a bike, which is more or less the only way to get there). Central Cowley also has some good ones (shoutout to Barnardo’s), Summertown is also pretty decent but only really feasible if you fancy a fifteen-minute cycle (though it does also have a very nice pottery café if you fancy making a day of it) – and the Holy of Holies is but a short bus ride away. 

If I didn’t know how many people actually read this I’d maybe be tempted to gatekeep a little more, but as it is I’ll let all five of you in on the Holy Grail, A.K.A. Templar Square. It’s basically a shopping arcade stuffed with charity shops (and a Poundland, which the city centre sadly lacks) that are all reasonably priced (one does all clothes for two pounds) and stocked full of more unusual finds – we did a lot of the costume shopping for last term’s production of Persephone there. In terms of vintage shops, you’re spoilt for choice. Apart from the one down Cowley which is both so overpriced and so underwhelming I won’t bother to give you its name (seriously. It just isn’t worth the Google), Oxford is home to a nice selection to suit all budgets.

Unicorn

Unicorn  – located on Ship Street, by Big Pret – is closest to both my college and my heart. For one thing, it’s a unique shopping experience even if you don’t end up buying anything. Everything is hung, stacked, and piled up all over the place, so you have to dig around for what you want, often discovering bits & bobs you never would have known you needed – and nothing is priced. Notably stocked with vintage student production costumes and ballwear as well as more run-of-the-mill vintage, once you’ve found what you like you will have to ask the old lady who owns it for the price. There’s no way to confirm this, but by triangulating my experiences with those of my friends, I’m decently sure that she vibe checks you and names her price based on that (and if you really fail to measure up she’ll refuse to sell). A word to the wise – haggling is only worth it if you’re buying more than one thing. I personally think the unorthodox pricing only adds to the fun of the trip – which is an *experience* if nothing else. 

BEST BUY: A pirate shirt with 15” sleeves

GOOD FOR: Bop costumes and formalwear (all genders)

Again Garments

Every Thursday-Saturday the fruit and veg stall in Gloucester Green Market (by Odeon) is replaced by Again Garments, a vintage stall set-up with everything from fur coats to board shorts. The other stalls in the market do sometimes sell clothes, but Again Garments is leagues apart : I’d say the best value place for vintage in the whole of Oxford, and also the only one which has loyalty cards – and I guarantee it’s easier than you think to rank up the 10 stamps needed to secure your 11th freebie. As knowledge is power, I’ll also let you in on the fact they put their prices up on a Saturday – so go early !

BEST BUY: Handmade Liberty-print dress for a tenner

GOOD FOR: Interesting jumpers and shirts, classic Levis

Ballroom Emporium

Found just behind Magdalen roundabout, this pure vintage shop can be quite pricey, but has a magic bargain rail where you’ll find anything from dungarees to negligees to ski-suits – all for under £15. Inside they specialise in vintage dresses of all eras, and for all you humanities girlies a large selection of vintage Penguin paperbacks for about £2 a pop. As the name suggests, they also do ballgowns, which you can hire for the night or buy outright. Fittings are supposedly by appointment only, but I rocked up having had an online order catastrophe the day of my college ball & managed to walk out with a total bargain ; although most of their gown selection is over the £100 mark, they also have various samples at a beautiful discount. They also have by far the best accessory selection – fans, elbow gloves, and even suspiciously genuine looking coloniser hats (please don’t get any ideas). 

BEST BUY : Shot-silk ballgown, black suspender belt

GOOD FOR : Balls

Image credit: Basher Eye/CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

Tips for keeping fit

Zoe Abereoje
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Tips for keeping fit

I considered myself retired from any form of exercise in Year 9. Sure, I could watch sports, but doing it? Absolutely not, thank you. Unfortunately, noticing that the steps to my college library were getting increasingly taxing, I decided that, like Tom Brady, it was time for me to unretire. Exercise is great for your mental health, but it’s also a great distraction from the impending doom that is your essay’s reading list. Here are my recommendations for staying active while at Oxford. 

Join a gym 

While some might initially cringe at the thought of joining a gym, going to one is a great way to fit exercising around your own schedule. Joining one with my friend meant that I felt less gym anxiety when I started, because if I was clueless as to how an exercise machine worked, I could ask her to show me – and if she couldn’t it was fine, because at least I wasn’t confused on my own. The big gyms in Oxford are Buzz Gym and Pure Gym, of which I personally used the former. I found signing up and also cancelling at the end of the year more convenient, however its location in Westgate regretfully sponsored many impromptu Primark trips.

College sports 

The typical response to the question of how to stay active in Oxford is to encourage students to engage in college sports. Most colleges encourage all their students to take part in some form. This is because you can do as much or as little as you like. You don’t need to be an elite competitor to be able to take part; all physical talent, or lack thereof, is encouraged to get involved. College sports are a great way to get to know people, and to attend socials and events. Colleges will usually offer sports such as rowing, football, rugby, and many more.

Book out college sports grounds 

If you’re apprehensive about getting involved in college sports, that’s no reason not to capitalise on the wide range of sports grounds and equipment that your college provides. I did this through playing tennis with my friends occasionally on the sports grounds during Hilary term. We were dreadful at it, but it was still exercise. Many colleges will let you book out spaces on their college grounds, so if you want to take part in sports with your friends this is something to make use of. 

Try something totally new 

Don’t feel you have to limit yourself to college-level sports only, as there is such a wide range of university-wide sports that you can get involved in. University is a great time to introduce yourself to a sport that you may not have done before, especially with the weird and wonderful options that Oxford offers. Have you heard of Eton fives? Nor had I, but it’s offered in Oxford, so why not try it out? If you can stomach the walk and the early mornings, take up cheerleading and become an Oxford Siren. Feeling like Odell? American Football is an option here at Oxford. There is always something new and interesting available here.

Even if you don’t consider yourself a sporty person, don’t let that put you off staying fit. Being physically fit is so important for being mentally healthy in the challenging period that is the Oxford Academic year. A brisker walk to your lecture because you’ve slept in won’t do! 

Image credit: RUN 4 FFWPU via Pexels.

Oxford’s culinary scene

Nicole Stimson
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Oxford’s culinary scene

As a self-professed ‘foodie’ (and President of Oxford’s very own Culinary Society), I can confidently say that Oxford’s food and drink scene is *chef’s kiss* divine! You’re truly spoilt for choice here – there is something for every budget and palate. I hope that this short guide ‘whets your appetite’ and gives you a ‘flavour’ of what Oxford has to offer. 

Cafés 

For the ‘coffee snobs’ among you, Little Clarendon Street and the surrounding area offer a wonderful selection of quaint indie joints just a stone’s throw from the city centre! A few personal recommendations: Tree Artisan Café, which is also one of my go-to study spots when I want a change of scenery; Opera Café, whose Moroccan Wraps you should try, as you won’t be disappointed; and Gail’s. A cheap alternative is the ever-popular Prêt subscription, which gives you a free ‘trial’ month to enjoy an (almost) endless supply of barista-made drinks. There are two Prêts on Cornmarket Street and  a third in the Westgate shopping centre, and they are perfect for those wanting a quick coffee (or tea, frappé, hot chocolate…) fix on a budget! Another favourite is G&Ds, which serves up an eclectic mix of home-made ice-cream (some of their more interesting flavours include Masala Chai, Green Tea, and Mango Malibu, to name a few) as well as bagels if you fancy something savoury. They also do some great deals for Freshers at the start of Michaelmas! Similarly, Taylor’s is quite popular – like Prêt and G&Ds, there are a few spread throughout the city centre, and if you get there after 2pm you can enjoy a free cookie with any hot drink! 

Restaurants 

The selection of cuisines here in Oxford is as diverse as the city itself. Jericho is a foodie’s treasure trove with some top-notch culinary offerings – I would recommend Pierre Victoire, an ambient French bistro with a reasonable fixed-price menu on Little Clarendon Street; Al Andalus, who claim that they are “Oxford’s only genuine tapas restaurant”, and with a patatas bravas that will transport you straight to sunny San Sebastian, I can’t disagree; and the Giggling Squid, serving up a mix of Thai classics, as well as some quirkier flavour combinations. It would be a crime not to mention the Gloucester Green Market in a guide about food and drink in Oxford – open Wednesday to Saturday, this traditional open-air market features an array of authentic street food from more than 20 countries, as well as plenty of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options (my personal ‘tried and true’ is Mitre Street Food)! 

In Westgate you’ll find your standard chain restaurants, like Nando’s, Itsu, Pho, and Comptoir Libanais. For a meal with a 360° view of Oxford’s dreaming spires, head up to Westgate’s Rooftop Terrace, where you’ll find a great mix of restaurants from the Hamptons-inspired upscale dining (Victor’s) to an all-day-breakfast spot (The Breakfast Club). Whilst crossing Magdalen Bridge into the depths of Cowley might seem akin to a plane journey through the Bermuda Triangle for some Oxford students, I would suggest that the ‘trek’ is well worth making, not least because of the sheer diversity of Cowley’s food scene, but even more enticingly because a meal there is (generally) cheaper than in the city centre. The ‘crème de la crème’ of the Cowley culinary scene is undoubtedly Zaatar Bake. Top tip: this is a spot best enjoyed in a big group – order a mix of menu items (don’t forget to give the maqluba a try – it’s brought to the table in a pot, flipped over, and ‘drummed’ out onto your plate), the portions are massive, and it works out to be great value. Newcomer to the Cowley restaurant scene, Tribe, has firmly established itself as a real contender amongst the recognised heavy-weights. Rohit, the owner, has curated a show-stopping menu highlighting the stars of South Indian cuisine, such as the Lollipop Chicken, made all the more special by the complimentary inter-course tasters. 

Pubs and Bars 

Oxford has a strong pub tradition, so you will be spoilt for choice here. The historic Turf Tavern, although perhaps not the most student-budget-friendly, is certainly one to tick off the bucket-list; you’ll be able to brag that you’ve had a pint in the same place as some of Oxford’s most well-known alumni, including C.S Lewis, Margret Thatcher, and Stephen Hawking, to name a few. The White Rabbit is popular and is renowned for serving up some of the best artisan pizza this side of Naples! The Varsity Club, located over four levels, including a Rooftop Terrace with stunning skyline views on the High Street, provides great cocktails. 

The Oxford Culinary Society 

The Oxford Culinary Society is on a mission to unite foodies across Oxford! We’ve got lots of exciting events lined up for Michaelmas 2022 from cooking classes to tastings and the return of our much-loved “meet and eat” social. Give us a follow over on our Instagram and Facebook to keep up to date and stay tuned for the release of our term card. 

I hope that this whistle-stop tour of Oxford’s Food and Drink scene has been helpful! You’re very welcome to shoot me an email ([email protected]) if you have any questions. 

Image Credit: Victor Freitas via Pexels.

About the Oxford drama scene…

Alex Foster
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About the Oxford drama scene…

The Oxford University Drama Society: the place that launched a thousand shits, like Hugh Grant, Rosamund Pike, and more than half of the white men you usually see Mocking the Week. You too could wrangle your name onto that illustrious list, and you only have to read this guide to learn how to do it. And apply for about ten roles before landing a minor part.  

Step 1. Get Facebook

When they said that the theatre world runs on connections, they weren’t lying. Who’s ‘they’? People who got Facebook in their first week, and consequently have access to all the casting and crew calls for shows coming up that term. With a quick filling in of a Google Form detailing your experience (or lack thereof, it’s no biggie) you can apply for anything from Director to Costume Designer to Lighting and Sound, and everything in between. Of course, you can also just send in an audition tape to get your first role; though self-tapes sound scary they’re really just a way for directors to see what you can do, and you’ll almost certainly get a callback. You can also sign up for the weekly OUDS mailing list (edited by yours truly) which puts all of these into a fancy little email that 36% of you never read.

Step 2. Drama Cuppers

Yes it has a stupid name, no, we’re not changing it. Drama Cuppers is a week for freshers where groups in each college can get together and put on their very own show. It’s a chance to meet other people who either a) love drama or b) have nothing better to do, and the results are… unique. With special prizes like ‘Best New Writing’ and the nebulously named ‘Spirit of Cuppers’ up for grabs, why not apply? Previous Cuppers plays have had titles like ‘Nuts’, ‘Killing Steve’, and ‘The Lamb and Slag’. Only one of these was good. I speak from experience. 

Step 3. Your First Play™

Everyone has a special place in their heart for their first play. Maybe you’re the token American (even though you’re British) on a lesbian remake of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, stressing over where in the US their accent will land this night. Or perhaps you’re Assistant Director on new writing about a talk show gone wrong which is both a comedy and really, really deep, actually. You’re barrelling into the poky Burton Taylor or ever so slightly larger Michael Pilch Studio in 7th week, having done the world’s most rushed tech rehearsal. If things go well, good! If they don’t – who cares: the real theatre is the friends we made along the way. Either way, you’ll get lovely reviews from the student media industrial complex. It’s a good time had by all and, worst comes to worst, you can always put ‘Lighting Designer’ on your LinkedIn CV when you apply for jobs that make you money. 

Step 4. The Next Step

So you’ve done a show or two, and you want to move to the big leagues: setting up your own production company. This means you can cast whoever you want, put on whatever play you desire, and do whatever you fancy. Don’t go too crazy with all the power. All this requires is a quick form filling on the OUDS website (hyperlink – OUDS.org) and you’re good to go: all those casting calls on Facebook, all that mindless admin, all the meticulous planning of the production company’s Instagram layout (okay, that last one is fun @asquaredprods shameless plug xo). Just be sure to give some roles to newbies, though. Someone took a punt on you and placed you on the inexorable gravy train to semi-greatness, so you can do the same: you might not be the next Ivo van Hove, but maybe they are? Okay, maybe not, but Oxford Drama is there for fun as well as careers. Just don’t take it too seriously and you’ll be good to go. 

Image credit: Madeleine Woog via Wikimedia Commons.

A beginner’s guide to Oxford’s clubs

Ronan Lunny
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A beginner’s guide to Oxford’s clubs

So, you’ve just confirmed your place at Oxford University. You have no doubt already been told by schoolteachers, family members, and strangers alike that hard work really does pay off. Now, whilst that is certainly true, I am afraid your work is far from over. Academic work aside, I am here to remind you that you now have several gruelling years ahead of you to prove to your non-Oxford friends that Oxford students do actually have fun!

Whilst your choice of library will become the site of your academic battles (see Anya’s article for a rundown on libraries!), it will be in Oxford’s array of nightclubs that you will fight the valiant battle in defence of the social reputation of all Oxford students. 

For a university which boasts 45 colleges and permanent private halls (PPHs), Oxford certainly tends more towards minimalism in terms of their selection of clubs. However, just like colleges, you will likely end up loving whichever club you decide to pledge allegiance to; and just like colleges, they all boast their own unique flair and character which deserve to be outlined in detail.

Atik / Park End

If you want to prove that Oxford is just like any other university, Atik, also known as Park End (and occasionally Parkers), is your best chance to prove this. As a chain club, the cheaply priced drinks, sticky floors, and cheesy music unite Oxford students with their contemporaries in universities across Britain. Just as at other unis, Wednesday night is sport social night, so be ready for bizarre fancy dress, college ties, chinos, and swathes of rugby boys drinking VKs. Whilst debate continues over what to name this venerated institution, the silly vibes, affordable drinks, and predictable music are an undeniable fixture of an Oxford Wednesday night.

Bridge

After surviving the caffeine-fuelled absurdity of Wednesday night Park End, it’s time to get back up and do it all over again on Thursday. Meet Bridge! Famed for its hip and happening AstroTurfed smoking area, Bridge takes itself ever so slightly more seriously as a club, offering carefully divided sub-sections and floors to cater to all hedonistic music tastes. Whether you want to continue your Wednesday night cheese fixture on the main floor, head upstairs for some more euro-centric house, nip into the back for some RnB, or even check out some reggae in the now elusive Anuba room, multifaceted Bridge has something for everyone.

Plush

The word “plush” certainly connotes ideas of palatial interiors, expensive décor, and general luxury. Whilst the famed sweaty ceilings and (alleged) mould which define the space of Plush vastly contradict these connotations, it remains a prized landmark of the Oxford club scene. As Oxford’s only LGBTQ+ venue, Plush is a very welcome asset to Oxford nightlife. The highlight of the Plush social week is “Tuesgays”, an LGBTQ+ night dedicated simultaneously to being a safe space and to playing some of the best tunes available on the Oxford nightlife circuit. Wednesday nights also offer a chic alternative to a Park End Wednesday when student-run teams take over Plush to host DJs sure to make you feel super edgy in the red-lit sweaty mosh pit that comprises the Plush dancefloor. Regardless of whichever night you descend on Plush, their jägerbombs decrease in price by the hour and are not to be missed!

Bullingdon Club (Bully)

Having convinced the outside world that Oxford students have access to an entry-level nightclub, you are likely to want to take that a step further and show how edgy and cool Oxford students can really be!  There is no better way to do this than to head to a venue on Cowley Road, which visually marks a departure from everything quintessentially “Oxford”. Bullingdon Club, which by name pokes fun at the haughty posturing of the traditional Oxford social circuit, is an intimate music venue with an exposed and industrial appearance sure to make you believe you’ve delved into an underground Berlin Diskothek! Bully (as you will come to know it) hosts music nights such as indie Fluorescent Adolescent, house, jazz, and everything in between.

The O2

Technically speaking, this second venue on the Cowley Road is scarcely University of Oxford territory, as it is a usual haunt for Oxford Brookes students. That being said, the O2 offers the chance to see big-time acts in the flesh, so musically inclined ‘Uni of’ students are no stranger to this venue! Due to the antics of a certain Brookes-frequented Wednesday night, in which empty bottles are fired to the front of the crowd, all drinks are served in plastic bottles at the O2 – the more you know!

All in all, if clubbing is your vibe, you may disregard the rumours that Oxford students are chained to the library desks. Fun does, in fact, exist here! Just be ready to be home ever so slightly earlier than your friends elsewhere; all-nighters are sadly for essays, not clubbing.

Image credit: Mark Angelo Sampan via Pexels.

What’s the sound?

Tom Farmer
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What’s the sound?

The University of Oxford’s music scene is often characterised by the Magdalen schoolboys singing on May Morning, or orchestras booming out 18th-century chart-toppers in the Sheldonian. Although these traditions are a prominent and celebrated part of the student body’s culture, both the university and the city have much more to offer for music lovers. From jazz ensembles to a Gilbert and Sullivan Society, the university has something for everybody. Oxford as a city too is rich with musical history, being the hometown of indie heavyweights such as Radiohead, Foals, and Bastille. In a labyrinth of musical opportunities, I have you covered to discover the greatest sounds of Oxford. 

Club nights 

Away from the traditional catharsis of Mondays and Wednesdays at Park End, Tuesdays at Plush, and Thursdays at Bridge, there are a number of special club nights that mean you can escape the void of hearing the same 20 songs being played over and over again. The first of these is the termly ‘Fluorescent Adolescent’ night at Bullingdon, a traditional thrills-and-spills indie disco. Don your Reebok classics, smoke a roll-up, and observe your voice fade as you scream out a string of indie anthems. Beware though that tickets are notoriously hard to get hold of. If once a term isn’t enough to quench your Dark Fruits indie thirst, a monthly indie night is set to start up at the O2 Academy Oxford – keep an eye out for that! Another club night which has been a big hit is run by Komuna, a collective of musicians inspired by the basement techno clubs of Eastern Europe. With DJs playing experimental techno, a sound rarely heard in an OX postcode, the climax of the night is the string quartet playing experimental dance music, which is much cooler and less weird than it sounds! With a successful launch at Plush followed by a night at Bully in Trinity, Komuna is not to be missed if you want to add a bit of variety into your clubbing experience.

Gigs

Given Oxford’s rich music history, up-and-coming musicians and war-hardened veterans alike often frequent the city. The O2 Academy Oxford has hosted the likes of Alt-J, Bastille, and St. Vincent over the last six months, with the small venue allowing you to have a great view of your favourite artists, regardless of height (speaking from experience as a short gig-goer). Next door, the Bullingdon also hosts slightly more eclectic gigs, but has played host to artists with immense pedigree in recent years. Truck Record Store, organisers of the annual festival in July, also host intimate gigs with up-and-coming artists. If you fancy something more last-minute and laidback, the Jericho Tavern has live music every Thursday. On the very stage where Radiohead played their first ever gig, you can see the stars of the future hone their skills. The quality is admittedly quite varied, but the vibes are always good even if the music is subpar. The Jericho Tavern is also (in my well-established and well-tested opinion) home to the best pub garden in Oxford so, if the music goes seriously wayward, you can seek sanctuary in the heated booths. 

Jazz and funk nights 

Despite football manager Pep Guardiola’s claim that “if everyone was a jazz musician, the world would be chaos,” there is something incredibly tempting and alluring about an evening of free-flowing and foot-tapping jazz and funk to help procrastinate that looming essay. The Mad Hatter is a venue that is as psychedelic and disorientating as Lewis Carroll’s Alice In Wonderland itself. With cocktails served in teapots and funky mood lighting, the bar on Iffley Road is the perfect location to take in some jazz, often provided by the ridiculously talented Oxford University Jazz Orchestra (OUJO). With the room being the size of a first-year bedroom, make sure you get there early to avoid disappointment. Whilst jazz famously has no beginning and end, the Mad Hatter does have strict licensing and health and safety standards to uphold, so capacity is small. On a slightly larger scale, there are a couple of very cool funk collectives that will play venues like the Bullingdon, such as Dot’s Funk Odyssey and Sisters of Funk. Brace yourself for pop tunes like you’ve never heard them before, complete with horn sections and blistering sax solos. 

Musical theatre 

Before coming to university, I thought Stephen Sondheim directed Saving Private Ryan, and presumed Sweeney Todd was the name of a child in the year below me at primary school. Oxford’s effervescent and inescapable musical theatre scene has given me a good education of the sights and sounds of musicals. Whilst the name of Les Miserables bears similarity to its effect on my emotional state, a sign there is more work to be done for my conversion to a musicals aficionado, I have seen some incredible performances from students. The Oxford Playhouse hosts student-run musicals a few times throughout the year. With a capacity of well over 600 and all the kit of a small West End theatre, it is a fantastic opportunity to get involved in. The aforementioned Mad Hatter also plays host to a Musical Theatre Open Mic night, whilst smaller theatres like the Pilch have also put on musicals on a lesser-scale. 

Support your local choir or orchestra

Closer to home, college choirs are a large part of music at Oxford. Whilst it is impossible to escape the choral scene if you live in Magdalen or Christ Church, other college choirs are much more reliant on the support of their peers. There is something truly moving and relaxing about hearing very talented people singing much better than you might do in the shower. Most colleges will also have orchestras and collectives which will be open to musicians (or indeed wannabe musicians) of any ability, putting on showcase gigs throughout the year. With some of the country’s most talented musicians playing quite literally on your doorstep for free, it is a real shame not to take the opportunity at least once in your first year to watch your mates do what they love doing. 

It is undeniable that there is ample opportunity to experience and take part in a whole range of musical opportunities at Oxford. Whether you are Grade 8 piano, can hit a pan with a wooden spoon, or are simply a Spotify sommelier, Oxford is booming with sounds of various decibels and styles for you to take in. 

Image credit: Vishnu R Nair via Pexels.

A guide to Oxford’s libraries

Anya Biletsky
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A guide to Oxford’s libraries

Once the whirlwind of Freshers’ passes, a week of meeting new people, settling in, and, of course, clubbing, you will probably want (or rather, need) to hit the library and tackle your first Oxford essay or problem sheet. Oxford is home to a whole host of libraries, some of which make indisputably scenic study spots, whilst others, though perhaps lacking on the visual front, make up for it by being practical and convenient places to get a substantial amount of work done. This is a selection of some of Oxford’s many libraries.

The Radcliffe Camera (A.K.A the RadCam)

One of the University’s most famous libraries, situated in the very heart of the city, you will have likely seen a photo of the RadCam on Google Images or a university prospectus before arriving at Oxford. The imposing dome, 18th-century stonework, and grand interior make the RadCam a popular spot for students seeking to live out their dark academia dreams. Some students apparently come to the RadCam to sit and admire the architecture, neglecting to do any work at all. Others prefer to avoid the RadCam entirely, claiming it is “intimidating”, or that the echoing created by its acoustics (perhaps better suited for a music hall than for a library) can make it difficult to concentrate. However, are you really an Oxford student if you haven’t studied in the RadCam at least once? Although it may appear daunting to venture into at first, pay it a visit, and decide what you think about this divisive library.

Quietness: 2/5

Wifi connectivity: 2/5

Instagrammability: 5/5

The Old Bodleian Library (A.K.A the Bod)

The Bod is one of the oldest libraries in Europe, and the second-largest library in Britain after the British Library, so it goes without saying that it is an unmissable study spot to make use of during your time at Oxford. With multiple floors, plenty of seats, and a view of its gorgeous courtyard and Radcliffe Square, the Bod is a favourite for many, myself included. While you’re at the Bod, make sure to check out the Duke Humphrey’s Library, located on the first floor. As the oldest and most beautiful reading room in the Bod, the Duke Humphrey’s is a real treasure (and, if you’re a Harry Potter fan, it formed the set of the Hogwarts library). On the whole, the Bod is a trusty library that has stylishly accompanied me through many a study session.

Quietness: 4/5

Wifi connectivity: 4/5

Instagrammability: 4/5

The Taylor Institution Library (A.K.A the Taylorian)

Notoriously difficult to find a seat in unless you arrive early in the morning, the Taylorian is a gem of a library, smaller than the RadCam or the Bod. Located on beautiful St Giles’, right next to the Ashmolean Museum, the Taylorian contains books related to the study of languages. Like the RadCam, the Taylorian is known for its ability to facilitate “aesthetic” study sessions through its beautiful interior, with wood-panelled bookcases rising to the ceiling, chandeliers, paintings on the walls, and carpeted floors. Somewhat resembling a Jane Austen-esque mansion, the Taylorian is certainly a library worth frequenting, if you are lucky enough to turn up when seats are available.

Quietness: 5/5

Wifi connectivity: 4/5

Instagrammability: 5/5

The Sackler library (A.K.A the Classics library)

As a Classics student, I, unfortunately perhaps, often find myself needing to go to the Sackler library. The Sackler is not known for being pretty; in fact, quite the opposite. The low ceilings, blank walls and subdued colours give it a slightly sullen feel.  Aside from this, the Sackler’s disorientating circular design has led me on embarrassingly numerous occasions to walk thrice in a loop as I tried to locate the toilets. However, due to its proximity to my college, and its functionality as the Classics library, I owe to it many a productive study session. It is also worth mentioning that, as the Sackler is less popular than the RadCam or Taylorian, one can always find a space to work, which makes it unquestionably a reliable library.

Quietness: 3/5

Wifi connectivity: 4/5

Instagrammability: 1/5

Your college library (A.K.A your forever friend)

When one inevitably runs into an essay crisis which needs to be resolved late at night, the college library is one’s immediate refuge. Unlike the aforementioned university-wide libraries, most college libraries operate 24/7, and will likely become the place second only to your own room which will see you at your most dishevelled. Become familiar with your college library – decide which nook you work best in, and figure out how to borrow books and use other resources like the printing system. In all likelihood, you will be spending a significant amount of term time here, so you might as well befriend it and reap the benefits.

The college library is fantastic for a number of reasons. It is enviably close to your accommodation (and bed); the wide array of books it has available will often mean that you won’t even need to leave college to acquire your reading for the week; it is full of the friendly faces of the people from your college. Be wary, however, that the chances of seeing – and being distracted – by friends whilst in the college library reach an all-time high.

Practicality: 5/5

Loveability: 5/5

Chances of being distracted: 5/5

I do recommend spending some of the first term getting to know the various libraries in Oxford, and finding out which you most like working in. Part of the excitement of going to uni here is being able to access some truly beautiful study spaces, so do make the most of it!

Image Credit: Diliff/ CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

A guide to Oxford’s bookshops

Katerina Lygaki
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A guide to Oxford’s bookshops

The number one rule for being a book-obsessed English student is having the inside scoop on the different bookshops in town. Here’s a short guide on the good, the bad, and the ugly of the Oxford book-buying scene. 

Book Stop

Starting off hot, this bookshop has everything going for it: it is found on St Giles’, right next to Tesco, so I do not have to tell you twice how great that is; it sells second-hand books for a pound and all of its new titles are priced at around a fiver; and finally, it is environmentally friendly. This is because the books they sell are the titles that have not been sold by other booksellers, and so have been returned to their publishers. These publishers either recycle the books, or sell them to bookstores like these, where they are sold for half the price of regular paperbacks. I found out about this through a Cherwell article – thank goodness for student journalism – and have not looked back since. 

Vibe: 10/10

Price: 10/10

The Last Bookshop

Honestly, this is the ultimate hidden gem of Oxford. Forget picturesque colleges or artfully maintained parks, this bookshop is definitely the spot where all your main character dreams come true. Situated just off Little Clarendon Street, with its fairy lights and cute cafés, this book shop is owned by the same people as ‘Book Stop’. Here too, you can find second-hand and first-hand discounted books, ranging from a pound to £4.99. I come here whenever I’m in dire need of some shopping therapy without breaking the bank: I have found that not much cannot be fixed by buying a discounted book and then getting an overpriced but cute candle from the nearby store Wild Honey. 

Vibe: 10/10

Price: 10/10

Blackwell’s

Blackwell’s is a must for any Oxford student. They have every title you could ever dream of, and if they don’t have something in store, the staff are extremely knowledgeable in all things books. If you are looking for an Oxford World’s Classics edition of a book, chances are it will be here, since the bookshop acquired most of OUP’s titles after its store on the High Street closed. Another great perk is that they ‘price match’ book titles for students (all you have to do is show your bod card) and they have some great ‘3 for 2’ deals on fiction titles. Oh, also, they have a very vibey café to do some work or read a book in.  

Vibe: 10/10

Price: 8/10

Waterstones 

With all the great independent bookstores in Oxford, going to Waterstones just doesn’t hit the same sweet spot as the others. They carry loads of new releases, and their prices are standard: £8.99 on average for a paperback. What makes this bookstore stand out instead is its top-floor café. Their coffee is average, but the view of St Giles’ and the relaxing atmosphere are exceptional. 

Vibe: 8/10

Price: 6/10

Gulp Fiction

Finally, this independent bookshop is a new addition to the Covered Market, selling second-hand books whilst also serving coffee from The Missing Bean and beer from Oxford’s Tap Social and BMan Brewery. You can even sell your old books to them for a pound. I haven’t had a chance to go to this store myself, so I can’t comment on its prices, but I have looked at it longingly from afar every time I’ve entered the Covered Market, so that has to count for something. Only downfall for this one is that it operates under Covered Market hours, which still remain a mystery to me, even after studying in Oxford for two years now. 

Vibe: 10/10

Price: to be determined 

Imade credit: Peter Trimming/ CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

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