Boyfriend's 30th B,day in Oxford...help!

[Molliesmum]

I'm taking my boyfriend to Oxford for his 30th, nice hotel, meal and evening at the dog track but I need some suggestions for bars and clubs we can go to afterwards! I've never been out in Oxford at all, but heard it's good. It needs to be nice bars where we won't feel ancient!!! Can't go too far from home because of kids so Oxford seemed a good choice. Also, does anyone have any suggestions of fun things we could do in the afternoon? Thanks so much! x

Depends what you like doing!

You could do the touristy thing and get on one of the bus tours that teach you a bit about the city, and intersperse it with stops at cosy pubs (the Eagle and Child and Turf are cute, ye olde worlde types). The shopping's quite good - don't miss the covered market if you're even remotely foodie - or Bicester Village isn't too far out of town. There are some nice museums and galleries if you like culture - the modern art one is hidden underneath a shopping centre but sometimes has nice stuff. Or you could just go for a wander because it's a good city for that - past the Bodlian, down to Christ Church meadow then along the river and laugh at the rowers freezing their nips off. If it's even remotely nice weather at this time of year Oxford is usually pretty stunning - lots of low mists and twinkly sun off all the old windows. And yes I am getting sentimental.

Can't help you with where to go in the evening as it's been a good few years since I was there, but there are lots of nice restaurants and hotels so you should have plenty of choice unless you want a night clubbing (personally I'd leave that to the students, who all look VERY young!). Enjoy!

My favourite bar is The Duke of Cambridge on Little Clarendon St. There is a nice tapas place a few doors down too.

Baby Love is also a good bar but maybe for the younger crowd. There is a cocktail bar called Raouls in Jericho just down from The Duke (where little Clarendon meets Walton St)

For a quiet high tea or drink, the Old Parsonage is lovely.

As for clubs, they are all a bit nasty but you could try Kukui

Hope that helps!