Oxford Clubs

Despite recent changes in licensing laws, most traditionalist pubs have elected to keep closing around midnight or 1am. After last call, crowds of well-dressed students swagger down to Park End Street for the trendiest clubs—but there are plenty of hot spots scattered around the city center where you can dance to whatever your ears desire. Saturdays are the biggest party night, but themed parties (like R&B, international, and indie) are popular during the week. Check flyers for theme parties and discounts.

• Jericho Tavern, 56 Walton St. An upstairs venue where Radiohead had its debut gig in 1984. Downstairs, patrons enjoy the sleek decor, specialty draft beer, and heated beer garden. Live music F-Sa, and some weeknights with £5-8 cover. Open M-F noon-midnight, Sa-Su ­10am-midnight.
• Thirst, 7-8 Park End St. (☎01865 242 044; www.thirstbar.com), Lounge bar with a DJ and backdoor garden. Popular student hangout during the week. Cheap mixed drinks (from £2.25) with a student ID M-Th and Su. Budget drinks served during “twilight hour” (­1am-close). Open M-W and Su ­7:30pm-­2am, Th-Sa ­7:30-­3am.
• Freud, 119 Walton St. (☎01865 311 171; www.freudliving.com), Formerly St. Paul’s Church. Bizarre decoration: part cathedral, part circus, part modern-art installation gone wrong. Occasional art exhibitions, live music, and DJs. Cafe by day, mixed-drink bar by night. Open M and Su ­10:30am-midnight, Tu-Th ­10:30am-­1am, F-Sa ­10am-­2am.
• The Bridge, 6-9 Hythe Bridge St. (☎01865 242 526; www.bridgeoxford.co.uk), Dance to R&B, hip hop, dance, and pop on 2 floors. Erratically frequented by big student crowds. Cover £3-7. Open M-W ­9pm-­2am, Th ­9pm-­3am, F-Sa ­10pm-­3am.
• Anuba, 11-13 Park End St. (☎01865 242 526; www.bridgeoxford.co.uk/anuba), Sister club to The Bridge. Intimate pre-club atmosphere. Small dance floor is a nice alternative to the huge clubs throughout the city. Live music F. Salsa night W (cover £3). Happy hour M-Sa ­8:30-­10:30pm. Open M-Sa ­8pm-­1am, F ­8pm-­2am, Sa ­8pm-­3am.
• Lava/Ignite, Park End St. (☎01865 250 181; www.parkend.co.uk), across the street from Thirst. The epicenter of Oxford’s student nightlife; be prepared to wait in line to get in. DJs on 3 different dance floors spin the latest techno, pop, and R&B. Look for promoters down the street handing out discount stickers. No sneakers. Cover £3-7.