Duke of Cambridge

Address: Little Clarendon Street, Oxford, OX1 2HP, United Kingdom
Website: view Duke of Cambridge ’s website
Door: Go early
Style: Lounge bar
Food: Bar Snacks
Established: 1981

Review

The name Duke of Cambridge sounds like you should expect a pub but it's definitely a bar. In fact, on the menu the Duke claims to have been Oxford's 'leading cocktail bar for 25 years'.

There's a long wooden bar along one wall, though you might be suspicious at the lack of bar stools and the huge open expanse between it and the circular booths running along the other side of the room. In short, this place gets busy and has more of a party atmosphere than one of being a spot for refined drinking - happy 'hour' runs for four hours five nights a week.

The back-bar is massive, with a huge selection of whiskies and bourbons and there's also a cigar menu. Unfortunately the claims on the menu don't live up to expectations. On our last visit an Espresso Martini (here called a Stimulant) was well-executed but our Classic Daiquiri, from the 'premium' list, was so tart it resulted in us making a 'lemon face'. A place for a fun night out rather than a quiet drink perhaps.