Reading Pubs

Reading Pubs Introduction

Reading pubs blend Berkshire heritage with modern vibrancy in this Thames Valley hub, quenching thirst since medieval coaching days. Over 120 venues span cobbled Forbury, Oracle riverside, and historic Broad Street, from abbey-adjacent alehouses to craft taprooms buzzing with commuters and uni crowds. These spots pour cask classics alongside gastropub twists, evoking tales of kings, monks, and market traders amid Forbury Park views and Kennet canal strolls that define Reading nightlife.

All about Reading Pubs

Readings pub roots trace to 12th-century abbey pilgrims and London-Bath stagecoaches, yielding 1577s tally of 54 inns, alehouses, and taverns fueling royal weddings and soldiers. Timber-framed survivors like The Sun on Castle Street boast 13th-century Norman arches near vanished castles, while Victorian brewhouses revived local Simonds and Courage bitters. Crawls snake Broad Street, King Street, and Friar Street, mixing CAMRA freehouses with microbreweries offering hazy pales, oak-aged stouts, and apple ciders paired with Reading sausages, faggots, or three-cheese ploughmans. Beyond pints, expect jazz nights, rugby screenings, and abbey ruin picnics that anchor town life.

Top Historic Reading Pubs

The Sun, Readings oldest from the 13th century, shelters under ancient beams where gaol shadows linger amid roaring fires and guest ales. The George, timbered to 1423, hosted corporation feasts in 1628 black-and-white glory opposite lost Cock Inn. The Bear on Bridge Street traces 1484 tenement roots, dishing fish feasts for lords near gaol sites where Pepys grumbled about bad music in 1668.

Best Riverside and Craft Pubs

Riverside Beer Works and The Hope Tap pour experimental brews from onsite kit amid canal barges and Oracle views. The Botanist swings in glasshouse style with 100 global taps, while Nags Head offers 2,000-bin bottle shops and sausage platters. These hubs host tap takeovers, cheese festivals, and sunset sessions along the Kennet.

Family and Garden Pubs

Prosperous seasons call for Prospect Taps walled gardens with kids play zones and Sunday roasts overlooking Forbury meadows. The Allied Arms features canal patios, dog zones, and mini fish fingers beside lockside walks. Park-edge locals blend bouncy castles, family quizzes, and carveries with veg platters amid summer fetes.

Pub Events and Nightlife

Friar Street gems like The Alehouse ignite with live blues, open mics, and pool leagues drawing uni energy. Purple Turtle transitions pub to club with DJs and cocktail flights till 3am. Beer festivals flood Broad Street with rare regionals, street food trucks, and abbey-lit fireworks.

Reading Pubs Summary

Reading pubs marry abbey-era bones with craft innovation and Thames charm, delivering flawless hospitality from ancient cells to canal havens. They pulse through market mornings to nightlife peaks, blending unmatched flavor with Forbury soul that hooks every visitor. Map your crawl from Norman doors to modern taps, toast forgotten monarchs, and plunge into Readings eternal flow of Berkshire brews and belonging.