The Bullingdon Suite

We ended up losing £20 each and our friends, and were worried about them after being removed from the club without a chance to explain a misunderstanding. Members of the society tried to help, but said the man in the hoodie had barred us for the night. He never came to speak with us, and the manager showed no sympathy. We won’t be back. The place was small and the whole ordeal wasn’t worth the stress. We wouldn’t recommend it, and heard others around the area say the same. This was our first time at the club. We’d bought tickets for an Oxford club night at one side of the doors, but neither bouncer knew which side we should enter from, so they sent us to the bar side. We bought tickets from a society member there, then went through a door someone else from the club was holding open and onto the floor. Nobody checked our tickets. We asked where the toilets were, then looked around for friends who’d also gone in on the bar side. We thought one doorway led to the smoking area, but as soon as we stepped into it, not even reaching the pavement, a man in a hoodie started questioning us about our drinks. We’d found our friends by then, and they were coming through the same doorway. The man told us to leave immediately and demanded our drinks. We explained that we’d bought tickets on the other side, but no bouncer had said we had to enter there. My friend moved to the queue he’d directed us to, still holding her drink under her hand because we were concerned about it being spiked at a psychedelic society event. They then refused us entry despite our explanation, said we were removed, and bouncers quickly moved us aside. We weren’t given a chance to explain. The members of the society were willing to help, but couldn’t get us back in.

It’s a decent place to see a band, but service at the bar could be quicker. There was just one member of staff handling orders and changing barrels, so sometimes the wait was around 15 minutes.

Prices are reasonable, and the place is all on the ground floor, so access is good. There could be more beer choices in both the bar and venue. The music space holds about 300 people for a gig, and you can see the stage well from most spots, though if you’re short, get to the front. It’s a bar and music/comedy venue on Cowley Road, about a 20-minute walk from Oxford centre. Worth checking what’s on.

One of the best gigs I’ve had was seeing Darlah, South Arcade and As Everything Unfolds here. It’s a great little venue, and wherever you stand, you get an intimate, enjoyable view of the artist performing.