The White Rabbit - Oxford

In the past year, there has been a proliferation in trendy pubs in Oxford. Grimy dive bars and Chinese restaurants have made way for craft beer, pulled pork, bare-wood floors, stripped back walls, and mismatched furniture.

Even established and popular greb-pits aren't safe. The White Rabbit - hidden down Friars Alley - recently replaced the seemingly popular Gloucester Arms. Serving real ale from the White Horse Brewery, alongside a couple of standard lagers and ciders, the slim choice of drinks suits the venue's size. As does the slim menu. Pizza is the mainstay here and starts pretty cheaply at £5-ish. I wasn't expecting much from the food, but as with the other trendy places in Oxford, quality seems key - and it was well represented by the goat's cheese and caramelised onion pizza I sampled.

Another mightily good addition to Oxford's trendy pub scene.

St. Aldates Tavern - Oxford

Drinks after work are a political business. The venue, the permitted guests, the timing - attempting to change any of these variables can have mass implications for your 'standing' at work.

Last week, an attempt was made to move from the cosy back-room seats at The Bear Inn to the newly opened St. Aldates Tavern approximately 200 metres away. The justification? Although great in the summer, The Bear has a lack of seating on a Friday post-6.00pm. Simple enough, but a cause for concern amongst many of the regulars who gazed with a mixture of fear and bewilderment at the new establishment.

The result? A success for some, disappointment for others. I was in the former camp, enjoying the Tavern's space, clean feel, hustle and bustle atmosphere, and choice of beers. I opted for The White Horse Brewery Bitter (3.7%). Disappointment stemmed from the overzealous use of the heating and the lack of ketchup for chips - seemingly trivial, but clearly important factors for some.

We may be back next Friday...