But now its position at the top of the table has been marginally usurped by a ‘newcomer’ – The Grapes in George Street – a favourite of theatregoers.
A total of 55 members of the Oxford branch of CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) have voted for their City Pub of the Year and The Grapes in George Street won the title for 2025 – by one vote.
This time the Royal Blenheim in St Ebbes came a close second.
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Manager Johnny Roberts was celebrating this week with assistant manager Jack Amos.
“We’re thrilled to have won the title after our first year in charge of The Grapes,” said Mr Roberts.
“As soon as the result was announced Steven Lyne, the manager at the Royal Blenheim came in and gave me a big hug,” he added.
“He told me it was time for another pub to take the title and we are delighted to win it.
(Image: Andy Ffrench) “Of course we are rivals with the Royal Blenheim but the more decent pubs Oxford has got the better.
“We work together and sometimes we place orders together for beers from different breweries including Stourbridge.
“Yes we’re a pub for theatregoers but we welcome everyone and everyone talks to each other – that’s why we took those wooden booths away.”
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The hostelry across the road from the New Theatre shut suddenly at the end of 2021 but returned in August 2022, after the London-based pub company run by Dick Morgan stepped in to take it over.
The Morgan pub company also runs The Gardeners Arms in North Parade Avenue in North Oxford, and both pubs play their collections of vinyl records.
In September it emerged that Morgan Pub Company has also taken over the Angel & Greyhound in St Clement’s.
The old name Oranges & Lemons will be restored and refurbishment work is expected to start in January.
Dave Richardson, a spokesman for the Oxford branch of CAMRA, said Dick Morgan’s pub company has had a very positive influence on the city’s pub scene.
“They have reopened The Grapes and The Gardeners Arms and now they have taken on the Angel & Greyhound, where they have already boosted the range of real ales on offer,” he added.
“The Royal Blenheim is also an excellent pub and could very easily have retained the title but The Grapes won by one vote.
“Morgan has done wonders with it – there are often six real ales on the go, plus a real cider, and a load of craft keg.
“Johnny Roberts is an excellent landlord and a great supporter of CAMRA – The Grapes thoroughly deserves this award.”
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About the author
Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here.
He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.
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