The New Oxford

The New Oxford, 11 Bexley Square, Salford, M3 6DB – Visit Now

Finally, we can make our long-awaited visit to The New Oxford on Salford’s Chapel Street. That’s right, pubs are back – but with a few caveats. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, things aren’t completely back to normal, and while we know markedly more about airborne viruses than we did three months ago, we still need to take precautions.

The staff at The New Oxford know this more than most, so they’re suitably decked out in face visors and protective coverings. Nothing too over the top, mind, don’t expect a pub staffed by Darth Vaders, but enough to keep them safe and make you remember to stick to the rules. Don’t complain, this is vital, otherwise, we’re at risk of having our beloved pubs and restaurants snatched away from us again.

They could hose us down with sheep dip and we’d still line up to get in

To get a pint you need to put your details in the signing-in book (for track and trace purposes), follow the one-way system to the bar, place your order, pay with contactless then leave through the back to rejoin your mates. It’s simple and mostly friction-free. Truthfully, they could hose us down with sheep dip on the way in and we’d still prefer that to the stay-at-home monotony of the past few months.

Bexley Square has been repurposed as an alfresco drinking area and it’s better than it ever was. You can still drink inside, and there’s a sparsely-populated room at the back showing football on the TV, but outside drinking is set to be the defining feature of summer 2020, and it’s all the better for it. You can smoke, drink, laugh and chat just like those pre-March months and years and there’s a genuine crackle in the atmosphere – as if everyone can’t believe their luck, delighted and excited to be back out drinking in public again.

One of Salford’s finest boozers, up there with The Kings Arms and The Eagle Inn

As for The New Oxford itself, it has a solid – some might say ‘vast’ – selection of real ale and craft beers, if that floats your boat. If you just fancy a pint in pleasant surroundings, with a good spread of fellow drinkers (from old school Catweazle regulars to snazzily-dressed movers and shakers from the nearby new-build apartments) this is one of Salford’s finest boozers, up there with The Kings Arms and The Eagle Inn, both a stone’s throw from here if you fancy stretching your legs and seeing the best of the ‘Other City’.

Speaking of which, it’s also a great live music venue, part of the annual Sounds from the Other City music festival and hosts regular events such as open mic sessions – although they’ll be on the back burner for a while, obviously. In the meantime, The New Oxford is what you always dreamed your favourite local would be like: friendly, no-nonsense and packed with fascinating characters.

• 11 Bexley Square
• Salford
• M3 6DB
• View map

• Website: thenewoxford.com
• Telephone: 0161 832 7082
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