I have no idea where this bar is located. Â Having been guided by some friends who have been there before, we entered from Steinkeller, down a rabbit hole, and probably into a large wardrobe. Â Instead of a lion with the voice of Liam Nession as an allegorical Jesus, we found the next best thing: Daryl the barkeep. Â For Daryl is the keeper of this magical lair and will do his darndest to make sure you have a good time.
This bar is literally a back room. Â The only way I can describe it is if someone decided to turn their basement into a a pretty kickass bar. Â Daryl is the man and he will serve you up some tasty White Russians. Â Everyone in the place was drinking them, and so when in Rome. Â Also it is so laid back that measurements are often tossed out the window and substituted for his judgement of your sobriety and willingness to have a good time.
It was a good mix of upperclassmen and adult regulars. Â We parked there from about 12 til close on a Saturday and it wasn't really crowded. Â Next time I might have to hire a Sherpa or hack a Russian spy satellite to get me back to those delicious White Russians and whiskey rivers.
I've been coming here a couple years now and while it might be months between visits, it's always a good place to pop into when you want a stiff drink and a casual place to catch up with friends. They always have a $15 minimum for credit cards which is annoying.
The bartenders know what they are doing and usually pour a little heavy. It's easy to be put off my some of the servers but usually they are doing it for a reason -- I've seen many a drunk idiot kicked out or fighting outside. But luckily most of the riffraff stays at Brickstreet.
There's no sign outside so it would be easy to walk by it unless you know what you're looking for. Same owners as at Mac & Joes and Steinkeller. You can get to this place through Steinkeller and vice versa which is handy.
This is a townie bar. Â If you are a student, you will get stared at by the patrons and ostracized by Darrell (the bartender). Â However, after a few visits, the ostracizing ends and you are accepted.
The entrance is hard to find. Â You will probably have to ask where it is before you find it. Â It is in the back alley between High Street and Walnut Street. Â There are no signs pointing out where it is, but it is the building in the alley with the wood facade and the concrete deck. Â There is a "secret passageway" connecting Steinkeller and the Circle Bar for those who are adventurous.
This bar is the ONLY bar that is college student-free until 1 am. Â The drinks here are (relatively) cheap and strong. Â The White Russians are out of this world, too. Â If you are in Oxford and over the age of 30, this is the only place for you.
Rules:
1 - If you don't know where Circle bar is, you probably shouldn't drink there.
2 - 21+, no exceptions
3 - If you go to Circe bar 3 times, you probably shouldn't go to Brick Street anymore
That being said, circle bar is probably the best, if not only, bar in Oxford. No dancing, no kitchen, just drinks. Straight out of a movie with wood paneling everywhere and an old style jukebox, Â Circle bar is typically manned by a bartender of legend. Short stout, and with a most impressive quad-braided beard, Daryl has been pouring drinks longer than most people in Oxford have been alive. Ask for anything and he'll make it good and proper.
Circle is famed for its White Russians, more specifically Daryl is. Three things to remember: You're not "The Dude", everyone tending Circle Bar can make "the" white Russian, the alcohol selection and skill of the staff make limiting the bar to one drink a very questionable practice. My recommendation is to ask for something out of the ordinary (don't be an ass and pick the most obscure cutesie named shot you can find online. you're in an adult bar, drink an adult drink)
The lack of a kitchen may seem like a bad thing, but oh how wrong you are. Not only can you order anything from Steinkeller, but also Mac & Joe's!
Overall, if you want a great place to drink, go to Circle.
Hellz yeah.
The white russians at this place are off the heezy.
Some tips:
-Bring your own darts, since there is a sign inside which says they no longer supply them (as of 2007!)
-Pay no mind to the clock - its 12 minutes fast... they do that to irritate you. Apparently, the locals have figured it out. Only the college kids still find themselves confused.
-The bartender is surly and inappropriate, and I wouldn't have him any other way. This tavern is exactly what you need when you want to escape from the Miami University bar scene. No-nonsense drinks with no-nonsense locals.
The closest thing to a neighborhood bar I could find in Oxford. "The Circle" attracts a particular type of Miami student and a bunch of local regulars. Â The bar features your classic dive-bar fixtures -- Â patrons that get into indecipherable arguments about high-water marks, nailing stupid things to the wall (in this case giant parrots), dart boards with no darts, curmudgeonly bartenders.... they're all here.
The only thing that ruins the facade is endless entrance and exit of super-drunk preppy college kids. Â Picture your favorite corner bar... now, picture sitting around watching sports and suddenly 15 completely hammered kids wearing polos, blazers and khakis spill into the bar -- it's a weird juxtaposition, but this place has been around for what seems like forever, so the locals must've gotten used to it.
If anything, it explains why the lone bartender -- mildly obese, perpetually clad in an untucked dress shirt  and eye-divertingly snug shorts -- is at times curt, irrationally frustrated, or uncomfortably friendly.
Their white russian is the stuff of legend and it does live up to it. Â Insider tip: Â Stir it up good and sip from the tiny straw, otherwise you get a mouth full of vodka and cream which is never fun.
In the spirit of full disclosure -- the owners of The Circle also own Mac & Joe's and some german bar/restaurant that are ALL connected through corridors. It seems this bar is an afterthought, but it's the best of the three.
Good luck findin' it!
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