Top 9 Things to Do in Oxford in the Evening

Planning a trip to Oxford soon? Here are 9 fun things to do in Oxford in the evening!

Oxford in the evening feels completely different when the day trippers have begun their journeys home – it’s quieter, more atmospheric, and, if you know where to go, there’s plenty more fun to be had.

Having studied here for four years, I spent plenty of evenings trying everything from formal Evensong to low-key board game nights and late-night jazz bars.

So if you’re wondering what to actually do in Oxford at night, these are the places I’d personally recommend.

Whether you’re after something romantic, cultural, or just a fun evening with friends, here are the best things to do in Oxford in the evening.

If you’re planning on visiting Oxford soon, check out my Oxford day trip itinerary first!

What to do in Oxford in the evening (whatever vibe you’re looking for!)

Not sure what to do? Here’s what I’d recommend, depending on your mood:

• For a romantic evening, head to an Evensong or Sandy’s Piano Bar
• For something cosy & low-key, head to the Ultimate Picture Palace or a historic pub
• For something fun with friends, try Thirsty Meeples or Junkyard Golf
• For culture, grab tickets to Oxford Playhouse

Experience Evensong at an Oxford college

Evensong is one of the most special and best free things to do in Oxford, and something I personally loved to attend as a student at Christ Church.

I’m not particularly religious, but I would often go to Evensong at my college as a way to slow down. Oxford can feel intense and overwhelming, and sitting in a candlelit chapel, listening to choral music, was a surprisingly calming, almost meditative break from it all.

It’s also a fantastic way to get an inside look at some of the most famous colleges after the regular visiting hours are over.

Most colleges host Evensong several evenings a week, and usually welcome members of the general public who would like to attend.

The service itself lasts around 45 minutes to an hour and consists of psalms, readings, and choral pieces. Even if you’re not religious, it’s worth going purely for the atmosphere.

The Oxford college choirs are often of a professional standard, and you can enjoy an hour or so with them in these historic chapels for free!

If you’re looking for a quieter, more reflective way to spend an evening in Oxford, this is one of the best options.

My three personal recommendations are New College, Magdalen College and Christ Church. These are three of the largest and most expensive colleges to visit. Of course, I have a slight bias towards Christ Church, but they are all lovely.

Seeing Oxford University at night is an experience most tourists don’t get, so check out my post on free things to do in Oxford for more unique ideas.

For more info: Evensong at Christ Church | Evensong at New College | Evensong at Magdalen

Drink award-winning cocktails at Raoul’s Bar

Raoul’s Bar in Jericho was always my favourite place for cocktails when at university and is widely considered to be the best bar in Oxford.

Their cocktail list is extensive, and each and every one is delicious. Raoul’s prides itself on its use of homemade and fresh ingredients, and you can definitely taste the difference.

I love a fruity cocktail myself, and my favourites are watermelon crush and mango & lychee collins.

Their talented team of barmen and women put their passion and skill to use with each cocktail they make.

That care and attention means drinks take slightly longer to whip up here than they might at another bar, but it’s all part of the Raoul’s experience and, trust me, it’s worth it.

Raoul’s also offers cocktail-making classes for groups of four or more, which are available every day of the week! It’s a great Oxford bar to hire out for birthday parties too.

I’d recommend going early because Raoul’s gets very busy. Go before 7pm if you want a table, as after that it gets busy quickly and you’ll likely be standing.

It’s open until midnight or 1am every day, which makes it the perfect place to head when you don’t want the night to end but want to go somewhere a little classier than the pub or a student club.

This would definitely make for a great Oxford night out, but if you’re looking to experience Oxford nightlife for a smaller price tag and louder music, head to the club Bridge instead.

Website: https://www.raoulsbar.com/

Play board games at Thirsty Meeples

Thirsty Meeples is one of the most popular cafes in Oxford, and it’s easy to see why. With over 2500 different board games available, once you’re in there, you won’t want to leave!

When I was a student, this was one of my go-to spots if I wanted a more low-key, chilled social with friends, especially when we didn’t fancy a loud pub or a big night out. It’s really relaxed but a fun, friendly (but competitive!) vibe.

Groups spend hours in here battling it out over classic games such as Risk and Diplomacy, or more niche ones like Hogwarts Battle and Here, Kitty, Kitty.

You can order food and drink from a surprisingly comprehensive menu as you play, and you’ll want to for two reasons.

One, I wasn’t exaggerating when I said you’d be here for hours – you’re going to need sustenance.

Two, it’s actually really damn good.

My personal recommendation would be The Baratheon, their coronation chicken sandwich.

Thirsty Meeples is open until midnight every day, making it my top recommendation for night owls looking for things to do at night in Oxford.

Website: thirstymeeples.co.uk

Watch a film at the Ultimate Picture Palace

Although you’ll find an Odeon and Phoenix Picture House more centrally in Oxford, there’s a local gem just off the Cowley Road that you should visit instead.

The Ultimate Picture Palace is housed in a beautiful Art Deco building that still has its original box office window. This dates all the way back to 1911!

The building was even given Grade II listed status in 1994 for being of historic and architectural significance.

You’ll find a diverse range of films on at The Ultimate Picture Palace, and they’re known for foreign, classic and independent films as well as the latest releases. It’s the perfect place to go for a date in Oxford!

Last showings at 9pm each evening, visit their website to find out more about what’s on now and how to make a booking.

Website: www.uppcinema.com

Enjoy live jazz at Sandy’s Piano & Wine Bar 

There are lots of great bars in Oxford, but Sandy’s is the most unique as it is a piano bar. There’s live piano music played here every evening, and there’s a wonderful atmosphere, friendly staff and great drinks.

As it was right outside my college, I visited Sandy’s several times during my time at Oxford.

You’ll be treated to a real mix of music from old school jazz to modern classics. The pianist will often take requests so you can dance to a piano rendition of your favourite tunes!

It’s perfect for both a chilled evening with friends or dancing to the early hours of the morning. It’s also one of the better date ideas Oxford has to offer.

On busy days, stay upstairs for the former but head downstairs for the latter. A visit to Sandy’s is certainly one of the most unique things to do in Oxford in the evening, and it’s not one to miss!

Opening hours vary every day, but expect Sandy’s to close between midnight and 3am! This is a good contender for a night out in Oxford if you want to avoid the students (at least, the rowdy ones).

Website: sandyspianobar.co.uk

Grab a pint at a historic Oxford pub

Oxford is full of historic pubs, many of which come with stories dating back centuries or even have literary links.

I’d highly recommend hitting up at least one of Oxford’s historic pubs when you’re in the city, as there are many local gems to be found.

Some of my favourites that I would often be found at include:

• The Bear: Close by Christ Church, this pub is famous because of its collection of over 4500 clipped ties from many Oxford University clubs and societies.

• Turf Tavern: Where famous names such as Tony Blair, Stephen Hawking and Margaret Thatcher are known to have had a pint! The Harry Potter filming crew would also hang out here after a long day of magic making.

• Eagle & Child: This is my top recommendation for a pub in Oxford but it is currently undergoing renovation. It’s a cosy pub in Oxford that once played host to meetings of “The Inklings”, a literary discussion group that counted Tolkien and C S Lewis amongst its members. Hopefully it will open again soon!

RELATED: Guide to Oxford for Book Lovers

Put a hole-in-one at Junkyard Golf

There is a lot to do at the new Westgate Oxford shopping centre besides eat, drink, and shop. Located on the lower ground floor is Junkyard Golf.

There are three crazy golf courses available here, each of which is a wacky adventure. Think bright lights, colourful, grungy decor and fabulous cocktails.

One is inspired by fairgrounds (with a dark twist), another is a tropical jungle, and the third is a scrapyard filled with junk! Which would you choose?

Junkyard Golf is one of the best things to do in Oxford in the evening with friends or even a competitive date night! It’s open until midnight most days.

Website: www.junkyardgolfclub.co.uk/oxford/

See a Play at Oxford Playhouse

Oxford Playhouse sits opposite the Ashmolean Museum and plays host to some excellent acting talent. You’ll be able to see top-notch drama, akin to that found in London, but at reduced Oxford prices.

There’s a huge array of performances here from drama to musicals to comedy to dance – you name it! Some performances are by students or amateur actors, others are by names as big as Ian McKellan!

The theatre is moderately sized, but you’ll be glad to hear that legroom is not an issue here as it is in many other theatres.

The foyer can get very busy before the show begins, so I’d advise you to grab a drink elsewhere beforehand instead of trying to battle your way to the Playhouse bar.

My top suggestion would be Raoul’s Bar (mentioned above), which is a 6-minute walk away.

Performances start at 7:30pm or 8pm each evening.

Website: www.oxfordplayhouse.com

Have a Laugh at The Glee Club Comedy Nights

For a night filled with laughter, head to The Glee Club hosted in The Bullingdon. Every Saturday night, The Glee invites four stand-up comedians for an evening of hilarious jokes and routines.

Many performers here are award-winning comedians, and they even once played host to Jack Whitehall!

The venue leaves a lot to be desired, but the people on stage bring the place to life, and there’s a great atmosphere here every Saturday.

Try to get there as close to 6:30pm as possible to grab a good seat, as it fills up fast, and seating is on a first-come, first-served basis!

NB. These events are usually 18,+ so this is part of Oxford activities for adults.

Website: www.glee.co.uk

Suggested Oxford evening itineraries

For a romantic evening

• Evensong at Christ Church
• Dinner in the city centre
• Pint at a pub

For a fun evening with friends

• Junkyard Golf
• Dinner in Westgate Shopping Centre
• Thirsty Meeples for more games, or the pub!

For a cultural evening

• Dinner in the city centre
• Show at Oxford Playhouse
• Cocktails at Raoul’s

Oxford might be best known for its dreaming spires, but in the evening, it has a completely different energy, and something for everyone, depending on your mood.

Hopefully this guide helps you find the version of Oxford that suits your kind of evening.

For more ideas for what to do in Oxford, check out these posts:

Free Things to do in Oxford
Things to Do in Oxford with Kids
Most Beautiful Oxford Colleges
A Guide to Harry Potter in Oxford
Alice in Wonderland in Oxford
A Literary Tour of Oxford

How to get to Oxford

By Train 

There are regular trains from all major UK stations to Oxford. If you are coming from London, you will need to go via London Paddington. Oxford station is a little way out of the city centre but you can then take a bus or walk into town.

By Bus

If you’re planning to come by bus, aim to get off at either Oxford High Street or Gloucester Green bus station, depending on your first Oxford destination.

The Oxford Tube is a super convenient and cheap bus service that’ll take you from the centre of London straight into the heart of Oxford. If you’re taking this route, I’d recommend getting off at the High Street so that you can walk to Radcliffe Square in just 3 minutes. 

By Car

Oxford is easily accessible via the M4, M25, M40 and A roads.

Any more to add? Drop me a comment!

Pin now, read again later!