The Oxford Hotel Formerly: Gilligans
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Reviews
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The bar staff was fabulous and crafted beautiful cocktails for us. However, the security staff is asinine. I have never been insulted in this way before. At 2:00, a security staff member approached me and asked me to leave. He said I was intoxicated. I asked him on what evidence he based this assessment, and he said because my pupils were dilated. Hello, it’s dark in there? I have been intoxicated in bars before. Tonight I was not. I guess they just wanted on close the bar and go home, as by law they cannot allow anyone else in after 1:30. But why me? Unclear. I will never go back.
Renovated again
This place is fun relaxing and happy hours 4-7pm. Pity each renovation they can't get table configuration right. Middle sofa uncomfortable and blocks thoroughfare. Bears moved to Kinselas pub which was a bad move as staff there are nasty and aggressive if you appear to be happy and enjoying yourself.
Popular with Bears
This venue is the home of the Harbour City Bears every Friday for "Furry Friday. Great DJs on the ground floor and underground bars. Free entry, very busy & very hairy.
An ashtray with a bar attached?
The Oxford used to be a nice pub with a mixed crowd but it has turned into something of a freak show not helped by the "development" of the site. The smoking areas on two sides of the triangular bar make it seem that you're in the middle of an ashtray as the smoke billows in every time the door opens. In true Sydney style, what was the lounge bar had now become a gambling room for the "pokies". The upstairs bars have pretensions of being something more upmarket - but this is Oxford Street after all.
Quirky fun for the brave
The Oxford Hotel isn't much fun on your own - in fact, it's a little scary. For reasons unknown, this place seems to be a bit of a freak magnet. Yet that's part of the appeal. Also appealing are the great staff, low drink prices (by Sydney standards) and solid party roster. Whether it's a relaxed afternoon drink out on the balcony or strutting your increasingly trashy moves on the downstairs dancefloor, a night at the Oxford is rarely dull. This is also the centre of Sydney's bear scene - so, a must-visit for bears and anthopologists alike.