The Alchemist Oxford — Restaurant in Oxford

I really want to like this place. I like the concept, the building and its location. The staff are friendly, personable and attentive. And on a Saturday the music created a good vibe. However, it has some flaws.

Standing, waiting to be served is irritating at best; compounded by watching talented bar staff short pour the cocktails I ordered and then paying through the nose for them took the edge off things somewhat. This was compounded by a group men who by 9.30 were already rowdy, drunk and loud. One of whom thought it was great to find his way into the ladies toilet and start leering at the occupants, one of whom was my wife.

Security was lacking. The man on the front door did not engender confidence; he appeared to have no means by which to communicate with other door staff (if there were any) and there seemed no way for anyone to quickly relay to him if there were a problem in the bar. I wouldn't hold out hope of him getting to a problem if there one, he simply couldn't cover the distance from one end of the bar to the other in time. These are relatively simple problems to fix.

There are also changes that would reduce waiting times and increase brand loyalty/marketing opportunities. How about an Alchemist app that allows you to order and pay for drinks at your (numbered) table. Drinks could be served by the same staff that clear. Allowing guests to get on with enjoying their evening; this reduces time at the bar, freeing tenders to make more drinks and increases the likelihood that we would have another round as we don't have to break off from conversation to do it. Using staff to serve as well as clear keeps the personal touch, whilst using them more productively. Door staff need two way comms, that link them to each other, to key staff and on bust evenings to a person watching the CCTV. Also, show guests that full measures are being used or to be explicit that they are not. Finally, tweak the drinks menu. It's too big. Reduce and refine the offering. Introduce seasonal specials. Help customers...

If I could give less stars I would. I called in prior to going to Oxford to book an outside table with a view of Oxford for a Birthday Celebration. Guy on the phone said it’s been booked and I thought nothing more of it. Come June 2022 when we are there, turns out the table booked was for inside. We had to wait for other clients to go so we could go outside to get a view of Oxford’s Skyline. The only table left was right at the far end of the bar, on the edge of the building. If felt like no one from the staff cared, like we were side-lined. On their website they show pictures with great skyline view of Oxford and when you go there it looks nothing like it – more like you are standing on top of the mall with concrete blocks surrounding the dining tables (because that’s literally what it is), like you are on a balcony in someone’s apartment rather than in a restaurant in Oxford. No lights, no decorations, no nothing. Staff didn’t seem that interested in helping, they weren’t rude, just uninterested which felt again like you are being side-lined. Staff don’t see you as a client, they see you as someone who they have to go once in a while to ask if you’re ok because they have to, not because they actually care. Not client-orientated at all, more like money oriented because of the brand name. Food was absolutely atrocious and well overpriced for what we ordered. I make better burgers at home than what they had! Portions were small and seemed no thought was given to presentation – your local Nandos do a better presentation, portion and taste of the food. Only thing good about the experience what the company, the actual Alchemist experience was awful. I would avoid this bar/restaurant...

Me and my husband visited Oxford last sunday as a birthday treat for him and I'd booked us in to eat at the Alchemist due to its roof top terrace and the cocktail experience. When we first arrived we were greeted by a plump camp guy who found our reservation - we requested if a space came available outside for us to move which he agreed to let us know. After 10 minutes at our table, no one had been to take our order for drinks and we saw a free table outside but the guy didn't bother to come over to us - so I went to him and he agreed we moved, so we did and he then asked if our food or drink order had been taken, so I told him no and he went off and didnt come back! After 25 minutes of being in the restaurant, we still didnt have our order taken and the staff (including camp guy) were just standing around joking. So I went up and complained that we had been waiting for our order to be taken. Luckily, a tall slim man came to take our order and he was lovely. He offered us a cocktail each on the house as an apology for the delay, he offered me advice on best cocktails and checked on us for the rest of the evening. The food was quick and delicious (I had beef fajitas and they were cooked perfectly) and the cocktails were good fun. After the start of our experience being poor due to 1 staff member the rest of the evening was brilliant and we really enjoyed ourselves, hence the 5 star rating and I definitely recommend this place as a treat. Yes theres loud music and yes the cocktails are pricey, but it's an experience and if you want cheap and quiet.... go to...