I am writing to share my upset, disappointment and utter humiliation experienced on Saturday 17th September after visiting Sandy’s Piano bar. On the very rare occasion my partner and I manage to have an evening to enjoy together leaving our two children with family, we arrived at Sandy’s at approximately 10.15pm, after a meal out. Upon our arrival, we noticed a small queue of approximately 8 people to the right and were unsure if it was the queue to get into the bar. We stood to the left of the queue for around 10 seconds before the doorman approached us and muttered almost inaudibly ‘you’re not coming in’, he then walked back towards the door. My partner and I looked at each other in a confused manner, I had barely understood what he had said, we asked the doorman to repeat what he had said to us. To my complete disbelief the doorman repeated ‘you’re not coming in’, unsurprisingly we asked why? At which point the doorman said, ‘because she’s too intoxicated’. Obviously referring to myself, my partner and I were speechless and let out a shocked laugh, we proceeded to state that we had been for a meal and had only consumed 2 drinks that evening, how on earth can a doorman who hadn’t even made any sort of eye contact or communication with us during the 10 seconds we were outside make this judgment? I then asked to speak with the Manager who happened to be outside the door at the time, I explained the situation and he simply said ‘the doorman has a right to refuse entry’ – we questioned several times the reasoning, with no real answers. My partner was understandably angry with the situation, given that the doorman had only looked at him when we arrived and yet somehow judged my alcohol intake. It appears that this was fabricated, and the real reason was that they didn’t like the look of my partner. I then suggested to my partner that we left as we weren’t getting anywhere with the back and forth, we had already been humiliated enough. Never in my life have I felt so embarrassed, saddened or ashamed. Thanks to the appalling treatment we received at Sandy’s, I was so upset we went home immediately, cutting short an evening we had very much looked forward to. I have visited Sandy’s several times and I am in disbelief of treatment we received. I/we will not be returning, and I will do my utmost to share our experience with as many families, friends and residents of Oxford as possible. After searching through various social media platforms, I can see that this is not the first occasion that entry has been refused for no apparent reason and several comments have been made about the rude doorman and Manager. I strongly suggest to the owner of the establishment that they reconsider their staffing, customer service and review CCTV from last nights events. I would class this mistreatment as racially driven, it was clear that during those 10 seconds an opinion was formed, and entry was refused, I would question why you made an assumption and stereotyped my partner?

Been here twice, both time had very unpleasant experience, so I can just conclude that rudeness and disrespectful behavior of stuff is a rule, not exemption. Service is slow and overpriced. Would definitely not recommend.

What a place, such a fun night! Definitely prebook this one as it gets busyyyy! The cocktails are so delicious and they have a great range of drinks and non alcoholic bevs too. Last night there was a guy playing piano and he was sooo good. He took requests and I think it’s safe to say everyone was having a blast. The staff were also really great and friendly and went above and beyond to make you feel welcomed and at home. Basically deffo check this place out!

I've never seen homophobia like this. On pride weekend wearing colours the bouncer singled me out and wouldn't let me in because "my bosses wouldn't like it". But was fine with my friends, this is why we march!

The place itself is lovely, but truly what makes it 5 star is its people. Everyone was incredibly nice! The bartenders are so helpful, patient and kind. They also prepare the best drinks ever. The two house musicians have mad skills and also a lot of charisma to cheer up the environment. Thank you for such a lovely night!

We reserved a table here for my best friends hen party. We had never been to Oxford before and were looking for something a little quirky and not too formal. Sandy’s exceeded all of our expectations. The cocktails were great, the music and the atmosphere were fantastic and the staff were all so accommodating and friendly. Grace even helped me to choose somewhere for us to have dinner beforehand. We were pleasantly surprised by also being able to have a little dance. Thanks so much!

Great venue with an amazing atmosphere! Some great signalong songs played live, so worth the entrance fee. Although would definitely pre-book as got very busy. Can't wait to go back again.

£5 entry fee for going into the downstairs piano bar. The drinks are expensive but the cocktails are delicious. Small compact room with live singer and pianist in the corner who plays suggested music from the crowd. Most of the musicians are great and play sing alongs well. Overall good vibe.

Such a fun venue, everyone singing along. There were two pianists while we were there, both good but second one really good. Pretty easy to get served at the bar. I was a bit disappointed that I had paid an entry fee but we didn't get our table as we were just over the 15 minutes cut off, but I guess that was our fault and I should have read the small print. Still had a good time and would still go back.

Great place, we booked a table and that was definitely the right decision as it was very busy. You have to pay £5 per person to book though. Great atmosphere, pianist we’re fab, taking requests and everyone singing and dancing along. My husband was disappointed they didn’t serve any decent lager.

Always a great night at Sandy's....!! Pianists are all fabulous, with a great repertoire of feel good tunes. Requests are always well received and played where possible. Staff are all amazing (and and even remember our drinks from previous visits). Cocktails are great, tables are regularly cleared and cleaned throughout the evening, all of the staff are always approachable, efficient, friendly and courteous and reserved seating is always available when you arrive. All of the above makes Sandy's a safe, fun, friendly place to be. A great night out in Oxford usually involves a visit to Sandy's...;0)

Traveling from the states, I was told this was a place to go and you had to be early to get a seat so we went there. Great and relaxing environment prior to the late night crowd and good prices with drinks. I’m not a wine drinker but my friends said that the wine was horrible as they tried different wines. They have a limited selection of whiskey which is what I drink. The actual problems come as people started to arrive. We had a party of 6 that was sat beside us. My table determined that this one female demanded that she was louder than the piano and the singer. She was ridiculously loud and annoying to where it not only ruined our table’s experience but the table beside us. Then, (I am guessing the manager) told us we had to stand, giving up our table at 10:30, because we did not pay the cover charge but, once again, that’s why we got there early. So then we wanted to pay to stand but she did not offer that and told us we had to go stand in the line to maybe get a seat, once again, the reason we got there early.

I went to Sandy's piano bar with my boyfriend and his sister who was travelling from Chile and she loved it (we all loved it!) The only inconvenient was that we were put on a table far from the piano and we couldn't really see the singers because of the amount of people standing in front of us. But the volume of the music/voices was at a perfect level, the lights decorating the artificial trees were beautiful and the staff was very friendly.

The best place! I booked surprise birthday drinks for my boyfriends birthday and I have to give the biggest thank you to their booking and events manager Grace she was incredible, she answered every question I had and there were quite a few :) and she really helped me pull off the surprise, she is an absolute credit to Sandy's! The staff and pianist on the night were amazing and so friendly, it's just such a good vibe at Sandy's and we absolutely loved it and we cannot wait to come back. It's definitely one of the best bars in Oxford!

Well it's a nice place, great concept with a piano player and the chance for a good old fashioned sing along. Toilets however are atrocious. But... I think they are fixing them up...

Honestly wouldn’t go back. I can see how people have a good evening here but unfortunately our experience was simply of rude, incompetent and unwelcoming staff and an average piano player and singer. It’s packed, and damp in the basement with little room to actually dance. Be aware that booking a table upstairs doesn’t guarantee you entry downstairs which you have to pay extra for. We weren’t initially allowed to use the toilets without a ‘stamp’ and whilst happy to pay to get downstairs and enjoy ourselves, it wasn’t an easy process. The tables get snapped up quite in advance and don’t even try hanging your jacket over a chair unless you’ve reserved it as the staff will ask you to move it. Very strange experience and a real shame for our only night in Oxford with the girls.

Either the speakers are poor or the mixing is bad, but the sound is not good. Shame, because the pianist was very talented. Beer selection is terrible and overpriced, plus the venue is poorly ventilated so smells a bit like a sports changing room. Staff are quite moody too. Overall, quite pretentious really. I really had hoped for better.

Best evening out in Oxford! So much fun listening to amazing live music every night including the open mic on a Sunday! The cocktails a great and the staff are all so lovely and friendly. Such a trendy place!

Not as great as expected. The drinks menu laks of originality and the wine list is also poor, especially if the place called them self wine bar. Probably not coming back and won't suggest either

Absolutely love this place, can't recommend it enough. Perfect for an mid to late evening, don't leave it too late as can get busy. Great cocktails and staff. Listening to someone sing and play a grandpiano to what ever songs you want is electric!

Went for the Christmas Carols, unfortunately was not as good as previous years. Room was cold, and staff refused to turn the aircon off. The pianist hounded us to return our pamphlets, which I didn't have a problem with, however I felt the fuss about how expensive they are was inappropriate. Also pianist regularly had to ask if we had 'x' verse in the pamphlet. Only 1 out of 2 ladies toilets working, so big queues for the bathroom all night. Bar staff were new and kept getting simple orders wrong. Sadly a badly organised event, which I have attended for several years in a row but won't be returning.

Sandy's Piano Bar is exactly what it says on the tin. Great music, played live on a piano, and always happy to belt out songs on request, be they new or old or even very old. The crowd varies, with groups of tourists dropping by every so often to disturb the standard mix of students and Oxford residents. Importantly, the cocktails are great, and only a little bit more pricey than the Oxford pub average. Strongly recommend sandy's for medium to large groups looking to dance!

This place is unreal!!! The staff are excellent, friendly, helpful and make a a darn good drink! The atmosphere is electric and the pianists are superb!!! Highly recommend this place can’t wait to come back!! Thank you to everyone for making our night utterly class!

A lovely couple of hours. Great staff- thank you Anna for your bourbon whisky sour with ginger, great hosting. The downstairs bar is where you wanna be, but it is at awkward right angles. No matter, the pianist was wonderful, a great sing along!

Wasn’t very welcoming from the start, which was disappointing seeing as it was for our Christmas party. One of our party was refused service for some reason, as the staff believed she was far too drunk. She definitely was not, and there were large groups of men who were far worse still being served downstairs. The embarrassment and anger at this was not needed at a time of festive cheer. Even when ordering expensive bottles of wine, I guess it didn’t matter as the guys downstairs were ordering far more cocktails than us. I understand policy but it felt targeted and completely stupid. Won’t be going again and sadly put a downer and upset on our party.

20th December Christmas Carols by the piano. We had no idea what to expect, this was an amazing night! First there were carols then songs some by request. Everyone was singing along with the pianist. The bar staff were absolutely lovely! Highly recommended start to Christmas.

Really enjoyed visiting this bar and trying some of their different and unusual cocktails. The staff were really friendly and made us feel really welcome. Sunday night was an open mic night for the uni students. No quite the music we were looking for but was a nice atmosphere anyway. Will try and come back on a different night next time we visit Oxford.

Had a brilliant night at Sandy’s for my brother’s stag do. Great music and lovely staff, and Grace is an absolute gem! We originally booked a table upstairs, but when we got there we realised that it would be better to be downstairs near the piano. So Grace found us a table, and then let us keep it all night. Cannot recommend this place highly enough!