7. Bull - Bell Street (Brakspears)

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"I went to the Bull for a beer. It now appears to be a night-club that is open until 3 am, Friday and Saturday. There is no entry charge, and they seem to run theme nights (it was a Michael Jackson and Star Wars night when I went...). It is a shame it is no longer a pub as it had great character, and a lot of history." - Nick, July 2009

"The Bull is odd. I have no idea what they are trying to do, or what they are trying to be. We walked in around 10 pm and it was just the three of us, a bar maid, and a managed. I seriously believe we were the first customers in the place.... The Bull also has no real ale on tap, and they even managed to serve a pint of Fosters that was 'growing something nasty'. I ordered a bottle of Brakspear's Oxford Gold (it is a beer that bottles very well). Around 11 pm the place filled up - not with customers, but bouncers.... Finally, just after 11 people started to come in. Even then it wasn't busy. Finally, a DJ started playing music in one of the back rooms, and a number of people went off to dance. I doubt there was ever any more that 20 customers in the place." - Nick, June 2009

"Hi, don't know if you'll accept a review from a landlady (Ed. Rose and Crown) - but do get a reviewer into the Bull for a late drink on a fri or sat night. Mike from "River" has taken over the reins in a consultant role and has transformed the place into a clean, friendly, well stocked and staffed bar. We only go out after our pub closes and nearly always go up to the Bull and have a great time. We also took our staff there for their Xmas dinner and the food was fantastic." - Sarah, February 2007

"The pub re-opened some time ago after an extensive refit. I have not yet had a chance to visit it." - Nick, July 2006

"The pub is currently shut for a refit." - Nick, December 2004

"Popped in for a quick beer as part of a crawl of pubs in Henley. Very lively atmosphere and a good pint. Some very 'interesting' things were hanging from the ceiling, and I can't see why there was all that fuss in the Standard about the purple wall!" - Nick, November 2002

"The bull has just changed hands again. Nick 'Donny' Osman Now running the place. Still has the Back Bar Open till 1am and for the past two weekends it has been kicking.
Donny has lots of plans for the place and I wish him all the best, so get your asses in next time you walk past and say hi to 'Donny'" - Dale, November 2001

"This pub has just changed hands, literally, we visited on the landlady's first night. The place was a bit bare as the previous incumbents had taken a lot of stuff with them. Has a huge fireplace in the lounge which is planned to be used once the chimney has been swept which will be great on a cold winter night. Lot's of caricatures on the walls. A huge pub, but very quirky, something needs to be done about the carpet in the non-smoking room it's a mess, but overall, we liked it.
Brakspears Bitter was £2.00 and was quite a reasonable pint. The new landlady plans to have a disco and also karaoke nights." - Ian & Kevin, October 2001

"It was about 10.30pm as I paid my £5 and walked straight through to the back Salsa bar of the Bull Inn, where I seemed to enter a diferent zone in Bucks (Bucks? Thought Henley was in Oxfordshire? - Ed) for I could have swore I was actually in London at an exclusive club mingling with a well dressed friendly croud who obviously were enjoying the nights entertainment. The music comming out of the additional 5k sound system just seemed to take me away, and before I knew it I was booging right in the middle of the small but intimate dance floor. The promotors (Rupin & Ollie) informed me that this was their Chrismas Party and they were going to have their New Years Eve bash right here as well...
Well, what can I say as I eventually left the pub and I'd only just stopped dancing? Feeling slightly euphoric and drunk I can honestly say this was the best music I've heard for a long time, they seemed to play everything, Soul, Funk, Disco, Boogie and New US-Garage which just made the party atmosphere electric! I for one will be at their New Years Eve Party for sure.
Thanks guys and keep up the good work...
New Years Info available by calling The Bull Inn - Henley (further info on New Years eve party)" - Mick, December 2000

"Leno (I assume he is the Landloord - Ed) is not Mexican he's Maltese. Bars as described but have become a lively and popular drinking spot with a live 3 piece in the front bar and a disco in the skittle alley. There's a mixed crowd. The front bar is 30+ on average with a more mixed 20's 30's and some 40's in the back. Don't arrive too late if your not a local." - Nigel, June 2000

"On a recent visit to Henley I popped in to the Bull for a late night beer. The front bar is pretty much as I remember, full of old chairs, and a little run down looking. The bar was full and lively, the music was loud, and the TV was on. The lighting behind the bar needs adjusting as it seems to consist of a series of spot lights that shine directly in the eyes of the drinkers at the bar. The back bar has now been converted in to a rather nice looking Thai restaurant which reportedly serves good food. The skittle alley was in use and looked like it had recently been refitted. Beer was very good and I had several fine pints of Brakspears Special and Ordinary." - Nick, June 1998

"Two contrasting bars. One full of games and hairy people watching TV and sport in what I imagine an Australian bar in the outback looks like. The other full of refined folk sitting on plush chairs. Quiet place, not to go to for a wild time. Good for Saturday lunchtime and do great bar food (new Mexican landlord has inspired this). Nice garden area and skittle alley. Lovely cats. Live music sometimes." - Luci, August 1996

"Not a regular of the Bull. A large pub not often full. People stare at you when you walk in." - Mary, July 1995