The county is dry, but Oxford is as wet as a fish. Here's a little thumbnail guide to Oxford/Ole Miss:
Drinking and DiningCity Grocery--Upscale dining on the Square, definitely need reservations. Check out the upstairs bar. It has a separate entrance. Get there early and claim a spot on the veranda.
http://www.citygroceryonline.com/restaurant.php?cityAjax Diner--Southern home cooking on the Square. Can't be beat for the price. Gotta try the chicken and dumplings. Get there early on gameday. My favorite in town.
http://ajaxdiner.net/Ajax_Diner/Welcome.htmlAbner's--family friendly chicken joint, about a block from the Square. Got one in Starkpatch, too.
http://www.abnerschicken.com/Downtown Grill--Oxford's finest dining, on the Square. Call for reservations.
http://www.downtowngrill.net/Proud Larry's--Great food and good live music. Try the calzone.
http://www.proudlarrys.com/Taylor's Pub--Laid back bar with live music next to the Square.
http://www.thelocalvoice.net/icyphoenix/taylors.phpRib Cage--the name says it all; the basement bar is a bit quieter than others on game weekends. About a block from the Square.
http://www.theribcageoxford.com/ourmenu.phpMcAlisters--yes, it's a chain, but it started in Oxford. Try the Memphian.
http://www.mcalistersdeli.com/Taylor Grocery--Legendary catfish a few miles south of town. The grocery building dates to 1889.
http://www.taylorgrocery.com/The Beacon--a local favorite family restaurant. If you're really hungry, try the Big Bubba hamburger steak whlie sitting in the Rebel Room.
http://www.oxfordmississippi.com/dropping-by-the-beacon-restaurant/Bottletree Bakery--great bakery, very popular at breakfast. Won't be disappointed.
http://facebook.com/bottletreebakeryRoosters Blues House--great food, great live blues music. There's one in Tuscaloser too.
http://roostersblueshouse.com/Roundtable--home cooking on the Square. Open for breakfast and lunch.
http://roundtableoxfordms.com/index.htmPizza Den--a local favorite in a new location. The wait is sort of notorious, but the food is great. Strombolis and muffaletas are faves.
http://pizzadenoxfordms.com/Boure--upscale downhome from the same folks who own City Grocery. On the Square, no reservations.
http://www.citygroceryonline.com/restaurant.php?boureSnackbar--another City Grocery restaurant on the Square, known for its oyster bar.
http://www.citygroceryonline.com/restaurant.php?snackbarOld Venice Pizza Company--Italian on the Square, delicious and moderately priced.
http://www.oldvenice.com/index.phpWaltz on the Square--if you're a foodie, you'll probably want to make a stop. Just a few doors off the Square on Van Buren.
http://www.waltzonthesquare.com/Things to See/DoRowan Oak--Private home of William Faulkner. Free museum owned by Ole Miss, a must-see.
http://www.rowanoak.com/Oxford Town Square--this is where most of the best stuff in town is located. In front of City Hall, there's a statue of William Faulkner sitting on a bench. Have a seat and get your picture taken with a Nobel laureate.
Square Books--one of the best private booksellers in the country; lots of signed copies for sale. Also has Square Books Jr. (kids books) and Off Square Books (discount books) on the Square.
http://www.squarebooks.com/Ventress Hall--the only building in the Grove features a stained glass mural of the University Grays going into battle at Gettysburg; the company of Ole Miss students suffered 100% casualties. Also, Ole Miss students and Southern notables have been signing their names in the turret for 150 years.
http://www.olemiss.edu/tours/lmsections-ventress.htmlWalk of Champions--the football team will walk down this path through the Grove to the game on gameday. After the walk and the band plays, it's off to the stadium.
University Sporting Goods--the place for Rebel gear on the Square.
http://www.rebelfever.com/Rebel Rags--the place for Rebel gear off the Square.
http://www.rebelrags.net/Southside Gallery--private art gallery on the Square.
http://www.southsideartgallery.com/Confederate Cemetery--Located behind Tad Smith Coliseum on the Ole Miss campus, this mass grave with marker is the final resting place for over 700 Confederate and Union soldiers from the Battle of Shiloh.
Ole Miss Golf Course--Surprise-it's The golf course owned by Ole Miss. Kept in great shape and you can't beat the price.
http://www.olemiss.edu/depts/golf/Thacker Mountain Radio Show--a live radio show that's part Austin City Limits and part Prairie Home Companion broadcast Thursdays at 6 at Off Square Books. Seats 200, free admission, cash bar.
http://thackermountain.com/The Double Decker Bus--an English double decker bus runs through town on game days. Hop on and take a unique tour through town.
[This message has been edited by NaturalStateReb (edited 12/7/2011 1:27p).]
