The Masons Arms — Restaurant in Oxford

Two dislocated Australians wandering backstreets of Headington on a bleak Tuesday afternoon in late Spring, just exploring where footpaths and back alleys took us, on our first visit to Oxford in 40 years. Came across the Masons Arm by accident. Wandered around for another hour and returned at 5.00pm opening time. Glad we did. Classic small independent corner pub that survives on loyal local patronage, superb quality and huge choice of interesting beers, served by the friendly publican himself. No food. No rabble. Great atmosphere. Read the website. Read the reviews. It’s all there. No wonder it has been rated Oxford’s best pub again and again over the...

Proper old school boozer on the outskirts of Oxford. Good luck finding it, it's a local pub for locals only. Straight out of the 80s (never updated - and why would it be), its a throwback that reminds a little of a student union bar - but much cleaner of course. A fair selection of ales (tiny tasters requests are not met with much enthusiasm but reluctantly minimally granted), but a quite poor selection of lagers. Has a sports screen in both parts so can catch the football, if it's on the right channels - they have SKY...

This pub wins CAMRA City Pub of The Year time and time again. That's no accident as the beer in here is clearly a labour of love. Great and regularly changing range but above all, superbly kept and priced beers. Added to that the Masons has a big and lovely garden, a proper friendly local vibe, but it always comes back to the superb beer for me. Also runs brilliant comedy nights, a chaotic and funny quiz on Saturdays, a superb annual beer festival in early September and shows any big...