please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
this one pub is dangerous and something rong with the customer act like weird
we big group mans and i never befour see such dangerous for man people.
is no problem or my business but the mans have a make ups to the face
and not for me feel safe inside such pub so we go another one pub
break speer beer was honistly very good
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Remember this when it was a metal/rockers pub. Now a gay pub, it's still a bit rough and ready but with friendly staff. Dead when we visited one lunchtime but imagine it gets packed of an evening
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I'm shocked Lord Closet-case Jason, the poster below doesn't seem to realise the venue has changed, It is a gay bar now. Gay bars have gay men and lesbians in them. GET USED TO IT! Got a problem with gay people that's your problem to deal with no need to fling your dung our way. Just a point of reference I'm pretty sure Muslim won't be denied access to the pub either.
Regarding the venue everyone including the customers and the staff are all very friendly and there's a wide selection of pies available which are amazing! Most of my straight mates would rather get a pint in this cheer pub than be crushed in a corner in one of the near by straight places.
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Not a review as such but just to let you know we are now newly opened as Readings newest Gay pub. New tennants, new decor, new atmosphere. All are welcome so pop in for a beer and a bite to eat. An update to the info on this site will follow soon.
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They have just painted the outside to a cream colour - what a difference!
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The Rising Sun has risen yet again and is now open once more with a new licensee and hopefully a better future ahead. It's a Brakspears pub which was offereing their Bitter and Oxford Gold as well as Ringwood Best Bitter (all reasonably priced). There is an leaning towards live music at weekends but during the week it is a straightforward pub which is near the station and offer a decent pint. Perhaps a bit spartan inside but a few posters and photos could solve that. Good to see it open again when so many pubs are shutting up shop.
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Notices saying it's reopening on 4 March.
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Heard on the grapevine that a new team has taken on the job of re-opening the pub and opening up on March 4th...... I have seen the guys in there giving the paintwork a refresh........ thank god for its return, I need a decent drink before I go home....
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Sadly closed again & up for rent. It's a shame as following the refit after a lengthy closure it was turning out to be a good town centre pub with good beer.
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Fairly poor live music venue, I don't see the fuss of this pub.
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Great to see this pub open again. You can make up your own mind about it but at least it is OPEN !! I was informed that it would be a music venue with live bands and karaoke etc. Brakspears beers (they are now owned by Marstons) with the ordinary bitter at �3.00 a pint when visited.
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Far too bright for my taste and somewhat lacking in character but perhaps it will get better with age. Hobgoblin and Brakespear's Bitter on offer yesterday - the latter was very good. Loud music. Good bar staff.
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I decided to check out the Friday night vibe on this place as I kind of liked it last time around.
It was jumping, and in a nice way. The Karaoke talent was simply astounding, some of the performances were near professional quality. One one particularly cringe worthy one all night.
Lots of laughter, affable company, good music, good service and pleasantly attractive ladies singing sweetly - I totally enjoyed the place again.
In short, it's gone up in my estimation.
Come on brewery people, get the kitchen in- doing that would make this place 10/10 I reckon.
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It's open again, under new management who seem pretty switched on. There are touches of brilliance here and there, and the plan sounds good, not 100% finished yet - I guess it takes time to get all the ducks in a row.
Staff were polite and quick, facilities were adequate (see comment above). Cold beer and good company, all in all 8/10 for effort.
Will become a regular, for the pool table if nothing else.
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Soon to re-open. No music though. All the unique furniture and decorations have already been removed. It's going to be a boring, bog standard pub by the sounds of things concentrating on food and beer!!!
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All gone now. It was one of Readings best music venues and actually had a decent atmosphere. It also served real ale on a regular basis.
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Good new - according to the local paper, some customers are trying to raise the deposit to re-open this pub so hopefully we will get a successful outcome.
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The Rising Sun has now closed (yet another one in Reading to shut recently). No known reason but as it is boarded-up it looks pretty permanent. Shame in a way, as this used to be an old-fashioned Brakspear's pub and was handy for the station (almost the only real ale pub near the station in those days). It went downhill when it was turned into a Tut 'N'Shive themed bar some time ago and was more recently an outlet for rock bands and the like. If you ever knew the old Rising Sun, I'm sure you will miss it.
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this pub has been taken over by a manageress, the beer has improved ammensely,its a good venue wiv customers having a laugh & listening 2 great music.
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The beer here is awful and I wouldn't venture in if you don't like rock but if you want somewhere to go thats open late and isn't full of kids in their Newcastle glad rags it may be worth a visit. The theme decor is almost antique now as are some of the locals I know. Just need to decide what to drink ... it'll have to be a JD then.
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Ale still awful, basically a ROCK venue and not too much else. I guess if you ROCK and drink snakebite, you'll be fine.
NB: being cheap to get into and open until 2am also applies to many ladies of the night down the Oxford Road, and I wouldn't go near them either :o)
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the new landlord is an ugly b*****d, and his mrs is french and has a habit of attacking loyal punters for fun, but dont hold that against them! wicked little place.
i can see the intimidating points raised before, but its all about the attitude not the image. so long as your not antisocial or an a***hole, youll be right!
the machine works again too! it bubbles and flashes and turns!
oh. and dont f**k with the animals. most of them work there!
and isnt hating everyone and everything considered normal behaviour in every bar in reading?
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Did not notice the beer being as bad as the previous person has stated. Certainly a lively music venue, also has the bonus of being cheap to get into and staying open until 2am
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David Attenborough would be proud of the rhino based decor, I thought it was a luxury touch. My pint was indeed horrible and tasty like it had come from a battery farm. Loved the music though and glad to see it on and at a decent volume from early.
Place has potential, no whores in there when I was.
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I saw this shit band glueball in there.I left after 5 mins.Another time whores sitting at the table(just about the only table)comparing fanny vibrators.
FEECH - 29 Dec 2006 14:52 |
Music was already pumping out at 7pm, despite me and my mates being the only customers, indeed the place was set up like they were expecting the Zep to appear any minute.
Dark and dingy, and the pint of ale I had was of the egg sandwich variety.
Excepting the fibreglass rhino coming through the wall, this place is an utter waste of time, unless you are here to RRRRROCK on a Friday night.
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Despite a good choice of beers a very negative policy in regard to disabled people; witnessed the bar staff refuse to serve a disabled girl who had trouble getting up the steps yet clearly wasn't drunk. Yet were quite happy to continue serving the locals who couldn't manage a sentence without shouting the word f*ck. I've drank here on and off for the last 10 years but won't be again.
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Well i tried this pub as i waited for a train. To an extent i like it, seems rather cool in its 2am late license. A good place to come in the evening no doubt. in the daytime though, a little bit depressing. Think the people here know each other, the Brakspear is a good beer to try if you pop in
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Proper rock pub. Great jukebox, normally can find a decent pint. Freindly, i have a shaved head and dress smart, but dont feel any malice from the crowds of young and old alternative types.
Seen a lot of live acts here, some good some bad, also a dj on occasions...normally too loud for me though in the low ceiling pub.
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Well to me its still the same great place to go!
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sweet pea, it's changed a lot. The landlord went and we have new people in, and their dog. It's clean, the first time I've seen it truly clean in 6 years, and I'm not sure I like it - you feel bad when you spill stuff!! Anyhow, just thought I ought to set you right.
anonymous - 5 Jan 2006 17:22 |
Love the place, havent been in a while so decided to go back one night. Hasnt changed a bit still one of the best in reading!!
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A good pub with friendly staff and customers. I got chatting to a really nice chap there who was a Catholic - we had a good religious discussion and all before 6pm in the evening. Can't grumble with that at all. The beer tasted good and was reasonably priced. It has a bit of the 'spit and sawdust' type of feel to it ie no obvious frills with regards decor but that's no bad thing. Yes, a very good pub all in all.
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decent pub, too many kids as usual, but a nice range of sweaty greasy bikers over 50 to make you feel comfy, not a bad jukebox and good atmosphere.
On my first visit I went up to the guy behind the bar and asked for a Guiness
"sorry Mate I don't work here, do you fancy coming to my stag night"
Thats what I call a good pub
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The closest thing to a decent rock/goth pub in Reading!
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Brakspear special the only real beer on when i visited, kept too cold. Quite a dingy place with lots of very sad people trying to hang on to their rebellious teen angst. Set up for the bands seems to be quite good, decent sort of volume for the size. Sound engineer (if there was one) seemed to focus too heavily on the vocals...but that would be my only quibble.
Basically, i hated the place - but may well try and get a gig there in the future.
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Just an update, i'd been away for 6 months but went in the other day now im back and the place hadnt changed, it was great to see everyone again and i had a fantastic night !, just the one ale (Brakspear i think), but its enough, the atmosphere in here more than makes up for it !
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Great place for serious rock heads, maybe a weeeeeeeeeeeeeee bit scary if you are new to the whole scene though! nice atmosphere most the time though, good music!
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LOVE IT. I have had so many important moments in this pub, My ex proposed to me here, and broke my heart here. It is home, and I miss it now I live in Cardiff.
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Have done a few gigs in here with my band(nuway army) and i love it.Always have a laf in here.
Daf - 19 Nov 2004 11:38 |
Great pub. Love the nooks and crannies all over the shop. Top place.
Flea - 30 Sep 2004 10:00 |
FANTASTIC!!!!!
Give it a go you will love it
ROCK ON PEOPLE!!!!!!
PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!
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It's fantastic Dee,Sim,John are realy cool the music is exellent specially when dicky is playing the tunes!!! and they serve a mean Snakebite Black like dave it's my second homea place to chill'headbang and go f***ing crazy could do with a better juke box!!!!! so if your into rock give it a try!!
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The Rising Sun is a legnendaru Metalers pub, there is not better place to relax iif you enjoy heavy metal then this pub is ace, totally 10/10
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It's my 2nd home, friendly staff (once you get to know them or their humour) and punters (likewise), some decent live turns, could do with a better choice of ale, but for rock/metal types it's great (jukebox has went downhill a little, but still decent, and DJ's on some nights), its the antidote to all the trendy bars, and for that, its a winner !,those of a nervous disposition need not apply however !
Dave Nez - 19 Aug 2004 00:17 |
This has to be my favourite pub in Reading as it is great fun. It's smelly and full of ugly looking bikers and I love it. Well worth a visit and don't be put off by first impressions the people really are friendly if you give them a chance
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I thought this was a great place. There were loads of chaps with big beards who although looked a little frightening were friendly and good fun to talk too.
ray - 28 Jan 2004 21:42 |
This is a pub you'll love or hate.
If you like rock/metal (or goth on a wednesday) this is a great place. Sure, the bitter could be better, but the people are nice (at least to certain types of people!), and its got a real rock pub feel. DJ nights (alternative) are most nights, there's a fairly well used table football table and late licenses on thursdays-saturdays.
Having said all this, I can understand the other comments; its not all that friendly to people who look in the wrong place, and does seem a little dingy (although I'd say that's part of the charm). But for the right people, this is a great place to be.
Enki - 25 Jan 2004 15:04 |
The beer tastes stale, the staff hate the guts of everyone alive, and it smells. It's RANK.
Gregor - 26 Nov 2003 14:57 |
