BITE user comments - Lord_Jason
Comments by Lord_Jason
Stop smelling goat's cheese at this hillbilly local and get your bad self on down to THE BACK OF BEYOND. Reading's best kept secret can be located at; 104-108 Kings Road, Reading, Berkshire RG1 3BY. Oh yeah!
3 Jun 2011 20:47
I'm not sure why this drinking hole (in the true sense of the latter) gets such glowing reviews. Ignore the fact you have a pub smaller than a shoebox and a rude landlord with a regulars only attitude and there still isn't much to write home about. It seems to have attracted this 'quaint' image with it's bizarre banjo playing lessons (Deliverance anyone?) and pickled onion competitions. However to pull off quaint you need the decor and charm to match of which The Retreat has neither. As for their prices, if you like paying London Club prices you'll feel right at home and a trip to the bank manager could be required for a good session. There are far better altervatives nearby, the BACK OF BEYOND being the clear winner. Now that does have charm which for a chain pub is rather a novelty. I will however give the pub a 1 for the landlord's beard which did take some clear effort as directly opposed to his customer skills...
9 Apr 2011 12:10
I cannot recommend this establishment enough. Hands down the best 'spoons in the area (granted, not difficult) and easily trumping the other local dives (The Fruity Arms next door, the 'Deliverance' locals only Retreat, the second mortgage required Lyndhurst etc). The staff are never short of a smile and even the punters are like something from the Sound of Music. Whether they are paying them too much or they're just glad to be alive it is all good. Come join us at the Back of Beyond. You just may never leave...
8 Apr 2011 17:52
The Retreat, Reading
The Retreat to shortly close it's doors eh? My, oh my now there is a shocker. A little bird tells me the godlike Wetherspoon's chain may be looking to purchase the boozer and I daresay could find work for Jane and Bernie as a couple of pot-washers. Granted that may prove a bit taxing for them as it would entail actually grafting for a living. It would also mean getting out of bed before 4 in the afternoon. I, of course will be really, really sorry to see The Retreat go but as many pundits mention below the (lack of) customer skills and overpriced jollop has clearly led to their downfall. However their greatest failing was being located so near to an establishment they could never hope to compete with in terms of quality service, good graces not to mention a dashing landlord! So for all those disillusioned Retreat customer shortly to be without a watering hole I offer the only advice you need this century. Which is get on down to THE BACK OF BEYOND, 104-108 KINGS ROAD, READING, BERKSHIRE RG1 3BY. You may just never leave!
9 Jun 2012 10:52