May Day: The Definitive Guide

May Day, an annual excuse to stay up all night outside the library is almost upon us. The 12 hour test of endurance and alcohol tolerance looms: you know where you’ll be at 6, but the rest is all just one Pimms-fuelled blur.

Let The Tab show you the way to eat, drink and be merry

The Essentials

Magdalen College choir sing the Hymnus Eucharisticus from the Great Tower at 6am. Heaven for a Hangover Headache.

Morris Dancers will move through the city. So much jingling and rhythmic stepping.

Magdalen Bridge will entice those who want their fifteen minutes of fame and feel right at home at A&E – bring a wetsuit.

Eat

Put down the kebab and make way for these special May Day offerings:

Big Bang: serving sausages and bloody marys from 6am, it’s also the first day of their month-long artsweek. Cultural.

Quod: open for breakfast, so you can sit somewhere nice while you are busy stinking of vodka.

Turl Street Kitchen: open all night and taking you through from cocktails to brunch from 6am to 2pm (with more cocktails).

Vaults & Gardens: to atone for your terrible behaviour during the night, head over from 5:30am. It’s basically church.

The Varsity Club: move seamlessly from the Bridge after-party to scrambled eggs.

Drink

Looking for a liquid breakfast? Most pubs will close. Don’t despair! Quench your thirst at the following watering holes:

Turf Tavern will be open from 5am, for the first drink of the day, followed by the Cape of Good Hope at 5:30, for the closest breakfast East of the Bridge. The King’s Arms, The Grapes and The Anchor will be open from 6am, as will The Bear, with an outdoor bar, live music and breakfast in the Garden. The White Horse will be serving 6-9am, then reopening at 11am. Perfect timing for a power nap.

Be Merry

Oxford offers a plethora of parties. Choose wisely, you’ll be there for bloody ages

Itchy Feet – Vintage music at the 02. It’s also OUSU’s 40th birthday party. Hurray?

Carbon – Three different floors! You won’t be quite as painfully aware that you’re there for six hours straight.


Junction and Wahoo – Wonka in Wonderland: the confused lovechild of Roald Dahl and Lewis Carroll. There are boats involved, somehow.

Park End – if you can’t handle a Wednesday night without a bit of cheese floor.

Bridge – Secret Garden Mayday Extravaganza! Snakes and fire!

Arts Bar (The Bullingdon) – Simple presents Trevino, Pariah and DJ Lee. ‘”In order to make oneself better, stronger, more accomplished, you have to put yourself into new situations.” Sage advice courtesy of the event page.

Cellar – Offering up ‘Garage/Jungle/Dub/DnB/140’, it’s a self-proclaimed big fat bargain at £5.

Camera – Moulin Rouge themed, featuring Burlesque Dancers and Absinthe fairies (whatever that means…)

James Tavern – Galacian folk music, for the really, really alternative