Bucks &amp; Oxon


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-lowdown">THE LOWDOWN</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/The-cosy-club-Oxford-7.jpg" alt="The Cosy Club Oxford" class="wp-image-154031" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/The-cosy-club-Oxford-7.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/The-cosy-club-Oxford-7-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/The-cosy-club-Oxford-7-400x266.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/The-cosy-club-Oxford-7-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>When a new restaurant opens, it&#8217;s only fair to give them a few weeks before putting them under the Muddy microscope. Kitchen and front of house staff need time to get into their groove. So, with Oxford named as the second most Christmassy city in the UK, we jingled out bells all the way to The Cosy Club on Cornmarket Street. Part of chain, this is Cosy Club&#8217;s 36th opening is the latest offshoot of an award-winning restaurant and bar group founded some 13 years ago by three friends: Dave Reid, Alex Reilley and Jake Bishop – and it&#8217;s a whopper at 7,500ft of space, sitting above Jesus College. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/The-cosy-club-Oxford-6.jpg" alt="THE COSY CLUB OXFORD" class="wp-image-154026" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/The-cosy-club-Oxford-6.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/The-cosy-club-Oxford-6-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/The-cosy-club-Oxford-6-400x266.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/The-cosy-club-Oxford-6-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Cosy Club is famed for its vast menu, excellent cocktails and eclectic interiors. The Oxford location is a love letter to Gatsby-esque grandeur – and is dressed to the nines for Christmas. Loved the enormous tree in the lobby, climb the stairs and on the first floor every pillar and banquette is draped in garlands and baubles.  </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-vibe">THE VIBE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/The-cosy-club-Oxford-5.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-154030" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/The-cosy-club-Oxford-5.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/The-cosy-club-Oxford-5-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/The-cosy-club-Oxford-5-400x266.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/The-cosy-club-Oxford-5-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>It’s certainly not understated, that’s for sure. Think super-glam and quirky with an over-the-top theatrical vibe – kind of like Gatsby’s mansion crossed with a dash of bold Laurence Llewelyn Bowen. The vintage wallpaper-lined walls are rammed with portraits and pictures, most of them in lavish gold and gilt picture frames, and other oddities. In the evening, it’s all about cosy lamps and candle-lit lighting – which casts a gorgeously snug and warming glow over the place. (But doesn’t make it easy to take pictures)</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/4-1.jpg" alt="THE COSY CLUB OXFORD INTERIOR WITH FRINGED LAMPSHADES" class="wp-image-154035" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/4-1.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/4-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/4-1-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/4-1-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/4-1-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>On Saturday afternoon, with Christmas shopping in fully swing, the place was packed. Big table Christmas parties, friends setting in for festive catch ups and more than its fair share of sequin adorned women enjoying bubbly brunch before hammering their credit cards at Westgate. For me, it&#8217;s a tale of two halves. The restaurant area with its clusters of fringed lampshades has all the personality and cosiness, whereas the bar area lacks those rich design details that make it stand out from any other pub. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scoff-amp-quaff">SCOFF &amp; QUAFF</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/The-cosy-club-Oxford.jpg" alt="THE COSY CLUB OXFORD" class="wp-image-154027" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/The-cosy-club-Oxford.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/The-cosy-club-Oxford-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/The-cosy-club-Oxford-400x266.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/The-cosy-club-Oxford-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>As a whole, the place is geared up for leisurely dining – not a grab and go gastronomic experience. Be it a boozy brunch, a lunch or a evening out with friends – and there are menus for each occasion. The lunch menu is extensive and caters to most whims and wishes. There’s a tapas section, which also serves as a great starter menu, a good range of burgers (including beef, veggie, halloumi and chicken) and mains, which is as eclectic as the decor – from macaroni cheese or Camembert and mushroom wellington and Massaman cauliflower to Spanish chicken.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="864" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/Prawn-on-toast-Cosy-Club-scaled-e1702553711888-1000x864.jpg" alt="THE COSY CLUB OXFORD PRAWNS ON TOAST" class="wp-image-154049" /></figure>



<p>I dined with my husband and son – a pre-Christmas day out. We decided to a couple of small tapas dish to start – the garlic prawns with paprika on toast and focaccia bread hit the spot. In fact the prawns were phenomenal. Cooked to perfection, chilli kick and utterly delicious. To the point, we wished we&#8217;d got all in on the tapas, but it gives us a reason to come back.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="685" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/IMG_CF12B99E1144-1-685x1000.jpeg" alt="The Cosy Club Oxford classic burger" class="wp-image-154051" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/IMG_CF12B99E1144-1-685x1000.jpeg 685w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/IMG_CF12B99E1144-1-548x800.jpeg 548w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/IMG_CF12B99E1144-1-274x400.jpeg 274w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/IMG_CF12B99E1144-1-1053x1536.jpeg 1053w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/IMG_CF12B99E1144-1-360x525.jpeg 360w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/IMG_CF12B99E1144-1.jpeg 1179w" sizes="(max-width: 685px) 100vw, 685px" /></figure>



<p>Moving onto mains, I went for the classic burger, the husband chose buttermilk chicken schnitzel which both come with fries and coleslaw, The small one opted for fish fingers. The burger is amazing, served on a brioche bun with cheese, pickles and burger sauce, with a side order of fries and coleslaw. It&#8217;s a safe choice but delivered in flavour. The chicken was a good but would have benefitted from a hot sauce or salsa. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/3-2-1000x667.jpg" alt="The Cosy Club Brownie and ice cream" class="wp-image-154046" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/3-2-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/3-2-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/3-2-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/3-2-788x525.jpg 788w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/3-2.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Pudding consisted of an Affogato (espresso and ice cream) and chocolate brownie for my son – the perfect way to round off a lovely perfect afternoon out. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/Untitled-design-164.jpg" alt="RACHEL MUDDY STILETTOS AT THE COSY CLUB OXFORD" class="wp-image-154052" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/Untitled-design-164.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/Untitled-design-164-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/Untitled-design-164-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/Untitled-design-164-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/Untitled-design-164-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>It&#8217;s worth noting, the drinks menu. It&#8217;s ticks all the boxes for drinkers and non drinkers. My raspberry and orange tonic mocktail was delicious and my husband enjoyed a zero alcohol beer – extra points for the frozen glass. Service was a little slow, but not to the point that it ruined the mean – and it was very, very busy. I think it&#8217;s to be expected at this time of the year and anyone working in hospitality deserves a medal. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-kid-friendly">KID-FRIENDLY?</h2>



<p>The maximalist decor and lengthy drinks lists were both wasted on my son, but to be fair he is only nine. But Cosy Club offers a kids menu with all the crown-pleasing kid favourites, with ever dish ordered inhaled in minutes. Although the Cosy Club has a more adult-feel – families will not feel out of place. But it&#8217;s not the sort of place you&#8217;d want little kids to be running around. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-out-amp-about">OUT &amp; ABOUT</h2>



<p>In the centre of Oxford everything is at your finger tips, all within easy walking distance – including the Westgate shopping mecca. Aside from the tourist classics of the Sheldonian, Bodlian, and Oxford Colleges (my tips: ChristChurch, St John’s, Magdalen and Worcester should be top of your lists), you’re minutes from the young, groovy district of Jericho with its bars, indie shops and trendy cafés, and then onto Oxford’s best kept secret of Port Meadow, 137 hectares of land in the heart of the city. University Parks are a 10 minute walk away too, where you’ll also find the Natural History Museum.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="832" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/IMG_31C7831DB232-1-832x1000.jpeg" alt="THE COSY CLUB OXFORD WINDOW" class="wp-image-154050" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/IMG_31C7831DB232-1-832x1000.jpeg 832w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/IMG_31C7831DB232-1-666x800.jpeg 666w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/IMG_31C7831DB232-1-333x400.jpeg 333w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/IMG_31C7831DB232-1-437x525.jpeg 437w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/IMG_31C7831DB232-1.jpeg 1179w" sizes="(max-width: 832px) 100vw, 832px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-muddy-verdict">THE MUDDY VERDICT</h2>



<p><strong>Good for</strong>: A good option for locals and passing trade – The Cosy Club&#8217;s accessible with its something for everyone menu, and with Oxford&#8217;s attractions on the doorstop, it’s an ideal pitstop – especially for bigger groups. The all-day dining option is also useful. </p>



<p><strong>Not for</strong>: I enjoyed the maximalist decor, but it won’t be for everyone – the wild wallpaper, feathers, fringed lampshades and embossed roof are a bit ‘out there’,. </p>



<p><strong>The damage</strong>: My mocktail was £7.50, boozy versions are around £10. Small plates are around the £8 mark, mains from £10.25 and kids meals are £7.25. </p>



<p><em><a href="https://cosyclub.co.uk/location/oxford/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cosy Club</a>, Cornmarket Street, Oxford, Oxon OX1 3EZ</em></p>


Review: The Cosy Club, Oxford

You may also like