The Oxford Tavern

The Oxford Tavern is one of those places where you stroll in for a dinner, and the next thing you know it’s 3am and all your friends went home hours ago. It’s one of two inner west dive bars operated by Odd Culture Group (the other being The Duke), which took over the pub in 2019.

Despite a major revamp three years later, the Tav’s grungey appeal remains. Its history as a former strip club is incorporated, with original neon signs depicting female silhouettes sprinkled throughout, as well as the old sign that hung out the front promising “topless” and “erotic” dancers.

At one time, the Tav was at the forefront of Sydney’s brief obsession with American barbeque. Though times have changed, the Tav’s Black Betty smoker is still in commission. But rather than turning out pulled pork and beef brisket, it smokes crispy chicken wings, beef for pies served atop mashed potato, and lamb to stir through pappardelle with Danish feta.

Elsewhere, there are drinking snacks and Tav favourites including nachos, chicken schnitzels and steaks. And the pub still does a mean Sunday roast.

The beer list is a highlight, packed with local locals including One Drop, Grifter and Bracket Brewing, as well as inner-westie favourite, Reschs. Wine leans natural and minimal intervention. But if you need a break from either, it's pickleback shots or Jack Daniels and coke slushies.