9 Brilliant Oxford Wine Bars You Must Visit

Oxford is well known for its beautiful spires and literary history, but there’s plenty more to Oxford than just that. Oxford is a melting pot for trendy spots – here are all the Oxford wine bars you need to visit.

There’s a wine bar to suit everyone in Oxford, think chic bars, wine with live music, an old converted prison, and all the French wine you can glug. 

Ready to order? 

Best Oxford Wine Bars

The Oxford Wine Cafe

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Nestled in Oxford’s bohemian suburb Jericho is the bright and relaxed Oxford Wine Cafe. This cafe has a real passion for wine and boasts a wine list from all over the world. 

But what we truly love about Oxford Wine Cafe is the focus on wine from smaller boutique-style producers, all lovingly handcrafted. 

This corner Jericho wine bar is modern chic with lots of little seating areas, meaning it never feels overcrowded and its large windows are good for two things– loads of natural light and people watching. 

The attentive staff here love helping customers find the tastes that suit their personality, so don’t be shy to ask for help. Is this the best wine bar Oxford boasts? We think so.

The Market Cellar Door

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The Market Cellar Door might be Oxford’s smallest wine bar, but we promise its wines more than make up for it. Located in the historic covered market, The Market Cellar Door is a little different from other wine bars.

Fancy a glass of wine from the tap? Yes, please. Would you like to also fill up your own container of wine to take home with you? Always yes. 

With over 200 carefully selected wines to choose from, it’s no wonder that there’s an option to drink it at home.

The best bit is that anything on the shelf you can have for a small corkage price, say goodbye to pricey yet dull pub wine.

Actually, the best part could be that you can bring food to The Market Cellar– providing you bought it from the covered market.  

Wilding Oxford

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Wine, dine and shop at Wilding Oxford– we had you at wine, didn’t we?  

Jericho’s neighbourhood wine bar, Wilding, on Little Clarendon street is an elegant space to enjoy a few Malbecs. You’ll be lured in by ambient lighting, marble tables, and an industrial-style archway leading you into Wilding’s wine shop. 

Sustainability is at the forefront of Wilding’s wines, and the shop has over 400 wines available to takeaway or drink in-house for a small corkage fee. 

There’s no chance of a hungry belly at Wilding with sumptuous homemade dishes and wood-fired pizza on offer– your night is sorted.   

Malmaison Oxford

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We’re pretty sure the best place to sip delicious wines is in a prison, right?

Well not actually, of course, Malmaison Oxford Hotel is a converted Victorian prison with an outstanding wine bar. 

Malmaision’s Chez Mal Bar is as boujee as they come. Ever wanted to walk down ex-prison stairs into an underground bar? Of course you have. Dimly lit with industrial-style ceilings with a carefully created wine list and the knowledge of Chez Mal’s sommeliers.

The wines here are from around the globe and span far beyond your usual sauvignons and merlots. If you’re looking for something a little different, Malmaison’s sommelier choice is carefully selected from Malmaison’s Brand Sommelier. 

Sandy’s Piano & Wine Bar

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One of Oxford’s favourite live music venues is also a lively wine bar. Sandy’s Piano & Wine Bar is right in the centre of Oxford and a great spot to go if you like your wine served with a side of fun – but don’t fancy heading to a nightclub. 

Wines are served by the glass from across the globe, though some of Sandy’s finest are only served by the bottle. 

Never a dull moment, there’s live music every night of the week at Sandy’s Piano & Wine Bar. It’s the perfect spot in town to let your hair down, and enjoy the music and a few glasses of your favourite tipple. 

Pompettee

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Do you like French wine? Oui.

A husband and wife duo bring you Pompettee—the french word for tipsy. The powerhouse couple has a passion for European dishes, wine, and a flare for design. 

This stylish Oxford wine bar in Summertown has a delectable wine list featuring mostly French wines from a variety of regions. Pompettee is the complete French experience, too, with a brasserie feel, tiled floor and jazzy artwork.

Ever a few glasses in and fancy some nibbles? Yeah, same. Pompettee’s French-inspired food menu has everything covered, from Nocellara Olives to an outstanding cheese selection served with baguettes and chutneys. 

Browns Oxford

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Popular bar & restaurant chain, Browns is located near Oxford War Memorial for all your brassiere needs. 

Expect dark woods, hanging plants, ambient lighting and classy vibes at Browns. Its extensive wine list alongside a glittering array of champagnes and sparkling wines will see you spoilt for choice.

Fancy a glass of wine alfresco style? Perfect, Browns’ French-style terrace is an intimate spot for enjoying Baked Camembert and a large glass of the oaky and warm Tondeluna Rioja.  

Browns is also worth a visit for its homemade brasserie dishes, they’re fresh, imaginative and seasonal– the Whole Fresh Lobster with watercress and garlic butter gets the chef’s kiss. 

All Bar One Oxford

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As far as chains go, All Bar One in Oxford gets the nod. It’s popular with after-work revellers, so expect this not to be a quiet drink during weekday evenings. 

But with an extensive wine list brimming with reds, whites, and sparkling wines to help you soak up the atmosphere, All Bar One is a good choice for a glass or two. 

The space here is bright and airy with warm hues and there’s plenty of table space. Though, 

the best part about All Bar One is it doesn’t matter what type of wine you’re having, cheeky lunch wines, after work ones or a late-night glass– there’s a food menu for every occasion. 

Choose from brunch, lunch, or an all day menu, there’s a dish to suit all glasses of wine. 

The Lighthouse Oxford

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Wine, bubbles and tapas on the mind? The Lighthouse Oxford is a quintessentially British spot in Oxford along the river. 

What’s not to love about this riverside location, sip wines out on the quarter-deck surrounded by trees, sounds peaceful, right?

The Lighthouse has developed an enticing wine list with the help of its wine suppliers for the perfect evening wine or as a compliment to delicious tapas dishes. 

Popular on the deck is one of the lighthouse’s sparkling wines from around the globe and champagnes from the houses of GH Mumm and Perrier-Joet paired with a moreish charcuterie board.  

Cool Wine Bars in Oxford: Practical Tips

• If you know you’ll have more than a few glasses of wine, it’s probably cheaper to order the whole bottle. Not that we need an excuse.
• Bring your own container to The Market Cellar Door if you’re looking to take wine home with you, it works out cheaper than buying a bottle for home, and it’s more sustainable.
• Be adventurous, ask your server for their recommendations and try new wines– you never know, you might discover a new favourite. 

Oxford Wine Bars: Map