Hugs and Kisses from Britain

By Emily Millar | Saturday, Dec 27, 2008

What? Another bloody British pub? I sighed as I walked along Hirokoji Dori from Nagoya Station. I come to Japan, determined to immerse myself in all pleasures 'Wa', and I end up eating steak from Australia, watching movies from America and drinking Irish beer in British pubs. Well, I've done just about enough cultural backflips in my time here, time to put my rather largish Aussie foot down and say, "No! I'm off to sip shouchu and chow down on sushi like the locals!" 

And then I arrive at the newly-opened Oxo. In an instant, I know exactly why, despite my insistence on living the maxim 'While in Rome...', it was probably ok for the Romans every once in a while to sneak a piece of Brit fish 'n chips and a pint to ease the homesickness. 

Oxo (ya say it like 'Okzo') is yet another pub in an international guise, but the difference between Oxo and all the others is the way it so graciously opens its doors from 11am every day of the week. Fnally, a bar that understands our daily drinking needs! While your standard J-bar, and even the majority of other more Western drinking establishments, remain shuttered until the evening, Oxo accommodates anyone keen to kick-start the morning with a beery beverage. Well, some of us need something a little stronger than coffee to face the day (but if coffee does the trick for you, Oxo serves it hot and fresh all day). 

Besides being able to walk straight (or perhaps a little crookedly) out of your all-night drunken daze and into another the very next morning, Oxo is also a rather nice place to hang out in a clearer state of mind. That way, you have a chance to check out the lush interior, sparkly chandeliers and surprisingly homely atmosphere. Non-smokers get a literal red carpet treatment 'out the back', with the enormously lengthy bar being separated during morning and afternoon hours for those who don't want to put up with the ciggy smell. 

Besides the rather classy antique interior, there are some decidedly modern additions, such as the enormous shiny flat-screen televisions perfect for watching your favorite British soccer matches. Er, I mean football... 

But we're not here to observe interiors and check chintzes, we're here to sample the goods, and that means drinks my friends. Everyday from 17:00 until 19:00 is happy hour, featuring half-priced cocktails. There are your standard world beers and assorted whiskeys, and some of the cheapest drink prices in town. ¥380 for a glass of wine! Cocktails starting at ¥430!? I must still be drunk from the night before. But no, according to the menu, it really is that cheap. The food is standard British-style pub fare, including fish 'n chips, pizza and pasta. If you're still survivin' after the end of 2008 and up for a party, Oxo has enough room for around 120 people to converge and splurge - the staff can tailor a suitable course for your party palate. Throw in a 'no table charge' policy and the only reason you've got to leave your comfy sofa is an empty pint that might need refilling at the bar. See you in the morning then! 

You can find Oxo along Hirokoji Dori - from Nagoya Station exit 7, head towards the HAL Spiral Towers and turn immediately left. You'll spot it straight ahead on the left, about a minute's walk.  

British Cafe and Pub Oxo

11:00 – 1:00 Sunday – Thursday

11:00 – 5:00 Friday, Saturday

Meieki First Bldg 1F

4-26-10 Meieki Nakamura-ku 

Nagoya

Phone 052-561-3331

www.pub-oxo.com

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