Hmm, The Black Swan. This is a bit of a locals' local, but if you can get past that, it's another nice change from chain bars and quieter than more central drinking holes. Although it's not advertised as such, this is very Irish themed, with music, drinks and decor all creating an (I assume) Irish experience. You can sit outside in the summer in a lit seating areas and there's a very popular darts board. It's best not to invade with lots of obvious tourists or students, as this is where locals come to relax. They're a friendly bunch though and will probably invite you to join the game or let you have a go when they're done. The prices are reasonable and cheaper than many places in Oxford, but note that (at the time of writing, at least) they don't accept cards. read more