The Handle Bar

The Handle Bar is a cycling-themed cafe and bar on St Michael's Street, which is one of Oxford's more interesting side streets (the city's oldest pub, the Lamb and Flag, is just around the corner). Bicycles hang from the ceiling, the decor is industrial-chic, and the vibe shifts from daytime cafe to evening bar as the hours pass. It works in both modes — the coffee is decent, the cocktails are well-made, and the food bridges the gap competently.

It's a useful place to know about because it fills a niche that Oxford doesn't have much of: somewhere central where you can work on a laptop in the morning, have brunch, and come back for drinks in the evening.

What to order

The brunch menu is solid — eggs Benedict, pancakes, and a good full English. The burgers at lunch are reliable. In the evening, the cocktails are the main attraction — the espresso martini is popular. Coffee is decent but not specialty-level.

Good to know

The upstairs space is good for groups and can be booked for events. Free wifi makes it a viable working spot during the day. The cycling theme is fun but not overwhelming — you don't need to own a bike to eat here. St Michael's Street is centrally located, just off Cornmarket. Gets busy on weekend evenings.