Back to Oxford Info Page

Drink

One favorite watering hole is the Burgundy Room, which has a great balcony overlooking the Square. You can access it by a staircase between Old Venice and the Southside Gallery. The City Grocery Bar is located a few doors down above its namesake restaurant. It also has a great balcony, but the Burgundy Room is more popular with younger preppy college students, while the twenty-something and older crowd tends to prefer "The Grocery." The Downtown Grill also has a great upscale bar popular with preppy students and the older crowd alike. "The Grill," as it is commonly referred to, frequently features live jazz and other types of music. Pearl Street Pasta, which is a bar by night, attracts a large preppy crowd because of its frequent drink specials and its contemporary atmosphere.

If you prefer a more casual place, you can't beat Parrish's, located just down from The Grill. Longshot's, located next door, is also great. Murff's is a great pool joint. The bar in the basement of the Rib Cage has cheap beer and is a good place to watch a game.

The eclectic crowd prefers The Jubilee Lounge, which many people believe is a quasi gay bar, although most patrons are not gay and you won't get hit on here. Although Oxford is Republican Country, this place still attracts a good-sized crowd. Another alternative place is Two Stick, but it attracts a wide variety of people from the Greeks to the women's studies majors, perhaps because it also serves sushi and often has good live music.

The best place to hear live music is Proud Larry's, which has local and regional artists nightly. The Library also frequently has good bands, but attracts a younger crowd as it is 18-and-up. The Levee is also 18-and-up, and attracts the young preppy students. There is one other bar that is popular with the 18-21 crowd--Nightown, which is frequently referred to by its former name The Billiards Club. Many students consider it uncool to go to a bar outside of downtown and consider the Billiards Club to be redneck. Others, however, appreciate its large dance floor, numerous pool tables, and excellent drink specials (like penny pitchers and $10 all-you-can-drink cheap beer and liquor).

The local drink in Oxford is Sex on the Square, which is similar to the beach version but better. However, most locals stick to bourbon or beer.

Pick up a free copy of the alternative weekly Oxford Town for music listings. The free Daily Mississippian  contains ads for most of the bars advertising drink specials and headlining entertainment. You can find it in any building on campus and several locations throughout the town, including a stand near Square Books.

 • Burgundy Room, 1112 1/2 Van Buren Avenue, (662) 236-6866. The Burgundy Room is a must-stop for those who would like to explore Oxford's Cigar and Martini Bar. Ladies can get two for one wine and bellinis on ladies' night. The Burgundy Room's "Sex on the Square" martini is a great drink for those who like it fruity. Also, don't forget to smile---the Burgundy Room has a digital camera to capture all of those fun times out with friends.
 • Levee, The 1008 Jackson Avenue, (662) 236-3666Located just off the Square next to Henry's Jubilee Lounge, The Levee is a hot spot for live entertainment.
 • Library Bar and Grill, 120 South 11th Street, (662) 234-1411. The Library Bar and Grill features talented local bands and entertainment at night. During the day, you can stop by to have lunch and a drink.
 • Murff's, 1210 Harrison Avenue, (662) 234-7558. Just Off the Square, Murff's is a local bar and grill offering a full bar service and good food such as Polish sausage, Philly cheese steak, and hamburgers. Guests must be 21 to enter the bar at night.