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The Holly Bush on Osney Island, owned by Wells & Co, is the Oxford Mail Pub of the Week.
John Lyons, who used to work in the music industry and has had connections with Oxford since 1989, is now the general manager.
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He is using his music industry connections to give local bands the opportunity to play at the pub on some Sundays, from 3pm to 10pm. The next session is expected take place on June 1.
Mr Lyons said: “I’ve been in charge at The Holly Bush for a few months now.
“It’s a great local pub serving modern craft ales and good food.
“The pizzas cooked in our oven are very popular – particularly when there is a two for one offer on Monday – we do shed loads.
“We get lots of local residents coming here, including people living in Botley.”
(Image: Andy Ffrench) Mr Lyons has linked up with Mark Osprey O’Brien, who is with music promoter It’s All About the Music Presents, to give local bands the chance to play in the pub during Sunday live music sessions.
“We clear some tables and make space for the bands and their equipment,” added Mr Lyons.
It’s not the first time the pub has hosted bands, and famous Oxford group Radiohead apparently played one of their very first gigs there.
Alex Naydenov, acting assistant manager, said the pub is also busy on Wednesday nights when there is a quiz, and on Friday and Saturday.
He added: “Lots of people book a table for quiz night – it’s very busy – and there’s a prize – you can win a £50 gift card.”
(Image: Andy Ffrench) Mr Naydenov is originally from Bulgaria and came to the UK in 2013, before studying at Oxford Brookes University and joining the pub trade.
Drinkers gave The Holly Bush a warm welcome in 2019 when it reopened following a six-year break.
The pub had been shut since 2013 and was relaunched by Bedfordshire-based Wells & Co.
Dave Richardson, of the Oxford branch of CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale), has investigated the history of the cities hostelries for his book Oxford Pubs, which was published in 2015.
(Image: Andy Ffrench) A CAMRA post on The Holly Bush says: “By 1853 the pub was in place, and was called the Bush and Railway Inn.
“By 1875 the pub was being referred to as the Holly Bush Inn. In 1884 it was bought by William Clinch, the owner of the Eagle Brewery in Witney.
“By 1965, the pub was owned by Courage and in the 1990s by Morland & Co (as Walter Mittey’s) and then Greene King who sold it for development.”
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