Bars & Pubs

The Oxford is a popular meeting place for Kentish Towners, who congregate on its pavement picnic benches or squeeze around ramshackle wooden tables by the bar. Retro orange lampshades, panelled walls and crimson paintwork make this a cosy spot on chilly evenings - particularly if you nab the leather sofa in the front window. There's a good, affordable wine list and a weekly line-up of real ales, and well-executed gastropub grub (braised lamb shank, ribeye steak, wild mushroom risotto) is served in the candlelit dining area. The music policy is nicely unpredictable, though at weekends there's an unfortunate switch to pumpin' dance tracks and long waits at the bar.

Time Out Bars, Pubs & Clubs Guide 2008/9