please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
This pub has had more managers than Chelsea. Has one or two fairly boring real ales on (usually one). 80s music on the screens. A complete refurbishment, a black and white theme with nice candles and sofas, the horrible smelly toilets are much better with an ornate mirror so you can admire your triceps in your cut-off T-shirt. A couple of friendly young boys serving behind the bar with the landlord looking wistfully on. Many of the male clientele do seem to be exploring their feminine side, although a couple of guys next to me looked a bit more butch with their short hair and identical lumberjack shirts, oh, wait a minute I think they might be women.
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Walked in.
Laughed at how bad the refurb was.
Walked out.
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Any character this venue had has been destroyed via a modern, sterile wine bar makeover. I give it six months tops.
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Looks like things are about to get worse!! It appears that the timber and etched glass overbar and other such Victoriana-style fittings have been removed and the pub is going to re-open as a very bright bar and not the traditional ppub we used to know and love. No sign of any opening date as yet but they must surely be aiming to open before Christmas? Several rumours abound about the market they are going for - but we wait and see.
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Open- shut- open - shut??!!?? Windows have been blanked-off but rumour has it that new people are about to re-open it again - the previous incumbant having ruined the Mahogany panelling and bar by painting it red !!!!
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Currently shut, sign in the window that they are applying for an extension to stay open later at night.
The sewer main in road outside pub is being replaced and the hoardings block out the light, not sure if this work will be completed before pub reopens but it doesn't help the pub.
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Cracking pub with exactly the kind of d�cor a real alehouse entails. Ex-Bobs staff make the place a joy to behold with friendly staff, good brew and reasonable prices. One of Reading's best kept secrets.
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Big single bar, seems to be struggling, but staff very positive and keen. Limited range of ale, but worth a visit if only to see th original Victorian bar, not helped by red paint. Live music at weekends.
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What a shame. Looks like the new licencees are trying to get ale drinkers back through the door, but have undone so much of Sam's hard work that it's probably too late.
I've not been back in 2012, and I'm not likely to...
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Called in today on my way to catch a train. Sizable one bar pub, dark painted wood and fairly gloomy although interesting look inside, it put me in mind of a large version of a 1940s/50s waiting room in a train station,(not that i'm of an age to remember such a thing). Beer available was to me rather disappointing ,Andwell's King John and Gold muddler, I had the latter which while condition wise was ok I find in my opinion all their beers Iv'e tried to date to be rather bland and uninspiring. With no other choice available it was a brief visit. In summary an interesting pub interior wise but not one I would revisit unless the beer choice changed for the better. only a 5/10 for me.
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Hoorah! It now appears that they have 2 Andwell Brewery beers on sale. Don't know if the Doom Bar & Bombardier have gone but that sounds a bit more encouraging.
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The previous contributor (summerrivers??) obviously arrived very late in the evening at the Blagrave and didn't notice that (a) they have overpainted the fine mahogany counter front and dado panelling in red and (b) the beer range has reduced to 2 real ales - Doom Bar (yawn) and Bombardier (double yawn).
Sounds like somebody has been given a cheap deal by the Pubco to keep it open and that's about it - it's open!!
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What to say about the Blagrave? Nothing, apart from outstanding to have it back on my ale-trail around Reading and Berkshire alike. Shame about the dodgy �20 note I was handed back in my change the other week, though. Friendly management and top pint of ale from varied selection.
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This pub has always had a dubious quality to it and I have to concur with the comments below; the influx of your overseas criminal types in the Reading area led to it's downfall. Perhaps they'd be better suited to the equally dubious Polish pub near Central swimming pool?
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Sam has now left The Blagrave and the pub is CLOSED until the owners find a new licensee. I only hope they get somebody who will continue with the selection of four real ales.
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Went in on Wednesday afternoon in December. Agree about the dog. There were two on my visit expecting everyone either side of the bar to throw it a toy. Take them to the park! As for the pub, I thought I'd visit because it was recommended by CAMRA not so long ago. I'm afraid it looks very shabby on the inside. Had a local beer Ascot - Red IPA which was very, very hoppy. In the pub's current state I will not be returning.
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Sadly there could be a change of landlord in the New Year. More news to follow.
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Very tasty ales, but the pub dog is a pain in the backside.
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Years ago I remember this pub being a Courage house, its now a freehouse, friendly enough but a bit bare inside. For the record the Plain Porter was very good, a couple of other guests were on too. Altogether a better bet than the 3 Guinees at the station, and at �3 a pint 40p cheaper too.
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Located a short distance from Reading train station, this pub does a good selection of real ales from local breweries all at � 3 a pint.
Does not do food but you can take your own or order some in to eat.
Had an offer of all real ale at �1.50 a pint a while back, hope they do the offer again!
One of the better pubs in Reading town centre, does not cater for the "alco pop" drinker.
Has regular music and comedy nights
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a lot of office bores in here and in particular your public sector on a mid-afternoon break/skive type. once they hit the babysham you can guess the outcome.
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impresive old in side, a little bit bare but lovely old fittings and furniture, interesting beer selection as well, will definately be back
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Better than it used to be in the days of your lightweight Larry Foster Wheeler type. Having said that overpriced shandy and annoying background music isn't doing it any favours...
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Naked man at one end of the bar. It takes allsorts I suppose though the staff were around with a mop after him and some collie dog was sniffing round as well - each to their own as they say. Your standard refurb pub, had 2 ales on, tried the Ascot Pooch beer which was a nice pint. Handy for the station and a worthwhile alternative when something is on and the station pub is rammed.
anonymous - 26 Mar 2011 23:22 |
Large open plan pub, not far from the station, retaining lots of it's traditional features, such as the bar, back counter and glass panels. Open fire. Music on Saturdays and some other nights. Open all hours from noon (1300 Sunday and 1800 if Reading FC are at home).
4 handpumps usually serve local (ish) beers at �3 a pint. Ascot, Binghams, Butts and Hop Back on offer tonight.
Background music a little annoying but not too loud.
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Things are definitely looking up here. The decor's a bit too minimalist for my liking but it has excellent beer, and they have good music too from time to time. And it doubles the number of decent pubs in Reading town centre.
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Really pleased to see this place being run so well. Everything's been stripped back, and the beer is excellent (Landlord, Doom Bar and Ferryman's Gold are regulars as well as guests from the likes of Brodie's and Ascot Ales). A wonderful fireplace, papers and good bar snacks complete the Blagrave's renaissance, which is very much a credible option alongside the Nag's, Hobgoblin and Retreat.
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Gets better and better. Four real ales (Taylors Landlord; Sharps Doom Bar and two beers from local breweries - all at �3 a pint). Real fire; rolls available; no machines;handy for the town centre and the railway station. Well worth a visit - the doormen are only used at weekends (don't let that put you off).
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DON'T BE PUT OFF BY THE DOOR STAFF! (I understand that they're a condition of the licence: they're very friendly and polite, but their size means that they block the front door...)
This is now a lovely, lovely place to go, with fabulous beer. It was nicely busy last Friday, with the tables full, a few loitering around but no wait at the bar. Lots of the Real Ale folk of Reading to be seen in here, which means there is a super mix of people. Great stuff.
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Is this site FULL of idiots and half wits?
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Firstly the pub architecture, Victorian at a guess and what a gem, lots of dark wood and fitted out nicely in a minimalist kind of style. The bar has original glass fronting at the top advertising the areas of the bar to get Ales, Whisky, Sherry and Foods. It's had a chequered past and had a load of licensing conditions imposed on it, however quite possibly irrelevant now as the place is transformed, no machines, real fire and 4 real ales, the Loddon Hullabaloo was in top form. It's as if SotonAleDrinker's comment below "A good landlord, a bit of commercial creativity and some nice pictures and lighting could turn this from a fairly ordinary, down at heal pub into a really nice boozer" was heeded! The Landlord scored a nice bit of publicity in the local paper and consequently the real ale was going quick. Very convenient for my bus in Blagrave Street and just around the corner from the rail station means I won't be visiting the 3 Guineas quite as often.
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Pleased to say that this pub has now re-opened un der new ownership and has 4 real ales (Black Sheep/Landlord and 2 guest beers from the local Loddon Brewery). There are no fruit machiines or pool table but there is a real fire. No food but beer prices are very fair for the area (�3.00 a pint). Needs some pictures on the walls but they will come eventually!! Very handy for the station and town centre and well worth a visit. Good luck to Sam and his team.
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Pub has a new licensee who aims to re-open in early October. Pool table and fruit machine have gone. Should be 4 real ales available with possibly 2 from local micro- brewers. Looking forward to this pub being a good boozer once more.
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Closed on 14 July 2010 - awaiting new owners.
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Pub outside has now been painted black but looks fine, in keeping with the building.
Went in here for the first time on Saturday afternoon as part of a one man pub crawl around Reading. The pub was clean & tidy but needs some nice pictures to make the most of the mostly intact and pleasing Victorian interior as well as someone handy with the brasso and the pledge polish. I decided to give the lonely real ale pump a miss (Wadworth 6X) and have a pint of larger which was fine. Served by an older pleasant guy in his 50's, I noticed with envy that he had virtually finished the full Times crossword but as there were only 2 other people in, he obviously hadn't been too busy serving! I walked over to the jukebox and put �1 in but was then told by the barman not to play any music as the football was on- to his credit he gave me my money back without hesitation. While I was there a couple and two individuals seperately walked in and ordered- all pleasant enough people aged 40 to 60.
A good landlord, a bit of commercial creativity and some nice pictures and lighting could turn this from a fairly ordinary, down at heal pub into a really nice boozer. LikeThe Bugle, nearby, a sign outside announces the 'Trust Inns' have this as a 'Community Pub to let...
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Not a great pub, sorry. just not worth the bother.
Jay73 - 22 Apr 2010 22:16 |
A once great pub that has seen its classic town boozer status infringed upon by the diabolical Friar Street quartet of O'Neill's, Yates's, Wetherspoon's and Walkabout. In an unwise bid to match those sorry establishments, big screen TV has been installed for some years now but they could yet revamp it with the introduction of a better range of ales and an appeal to a more discerning crowd. Has a pool table which is a bonus and the bar staff have always been friendly on my visits. The Victorian interior is also noteworthy.
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This pub is much better then it was, it's cleaner, it has a pool table back in, it has a Dartboard, it has Sky T.V., what more would you want in a good pub :)
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It does appear to be back in business and if they keep proper hours could stand in for the hopeless 3Bs which has cut back its hours and lost trade.
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Currently closed and looking for a new tenant. They'll have to widen the customer base to get this place into profit. Difficult on a street where the sun only shines for 30 minutes a day.
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Has had a good clean post-smoking ban and a lick of paint too � and looks much better for it, the ornamental glasswork really stands out now. Still feels a bit of a shed though, they�d do better to get some booths and partitions in to break it up a bit.
Beer quality also improved considerably (Courage Directors, Best and Bombardier are the usual) and the awful Rn�B megamix TV has been switched off. A good improvement, impressive.
So would recommend popping in now and then. Tends to be an after-work place so rammed at 5:30pm but dead as a dodo come 9pm. Often looks closed on Sundays as well.
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It's now reopened after a total overhaul. The inside retains the old Blagrave features (nice stuff, quite old fashioned and interesting) but the loos are now useable and the menu's been updated (trios of bruchetta, penne pasta and tapas!. The ales remain nice, with the pipes properly cleaned. All in all, a nice place, hope it does well... all the locals have gone, that's for sure!
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Men blasting air horns, bar staff from Human Traffic, a pool table with one ball always missing. Reading town centre dives I salute you!
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Decent "real" pub, worth a visit
anonymous - 19 Apr 2007 12:39 |
Not a very "stand out" pub, but worth a visit primarily due to its location near the station. Definite crawl material but not if you are looking for a nicer hostilery. I agree about the banging tunes a little out of place.
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I just went in there and it was a pleasant atmosphere.
However, I may know the individuals you are speaking of and by all accounts they should be treated with utmost care. The company they work for, a business information provider, tends to regard them in very low esteem and therefore they feel obliged to lord-mayor it in the nearest hostelry. There is no offence meant, its pure frustration.
The Blagrave is a most excellent purveyor of beverages.
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I like this pub, it's quite fun. However, there are a group of people who regularly frequent it on Wednesday and Friday lunchtimes and afternoons (think they work nearby) and get horribly drunk. They then start swearing and shouting stuff like Tourette's Club, which can be a bit offensive - although it's also quite funny for a bit. They've calmed down a bit lately since a speccy chaps left their group, he seemed to like one of the other blokes and there was nearly a fight. Otherwise, nice place, pleasant Polish barmaids, rubbish but cheap food and plent of ales.
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Yes, the "zero-raters" are losers but, on the other hand, this place doesn't deserve a ten.
"Extremely average" would be my rating. I met up with an old mate on the basis of what was written here but found that it isn't a place we could warm to and soon left. Not bad but then again not great.
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Decent boozer very close to the station. Courage Best, Directors and Wells' Bombadier (yawn) on yesterday, but kept and served well at least. The bar staff are nice people.
Wood and glasswork around the bar is very pretty, but the rest of the pub is a bit bare and smokey. Also plays loud televised teenypop/RnB fest which is totally at odds with the surroundings and punters. Turn it off, or at least put something a bit more appealing on.
Worth a pint for the architecture, but no more I'm afraid, unless they get more interesting beer in.
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Great town centre pub, perfect for watching the footie or rugby. Good atmosphere, good beers and good regulars. Well worth the effort, especially in a town dominated by plastic chain bars.
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I like it here, has a different atmosphere than most Reading pubs and the Polish barmaids are a welcome addition. Tends to run out of ale at important times and some new tunes on the jukebox are needed but otherise a fantastic place.
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Good to see a top Reading pub getting good ratings. This is the best saturday afternoon pub in town, not too busy, good beers, sky sports news on in the background. It's great on a Friday night with a good crowd and lots of promotions. Too quiet during the week though.
Total change in scene from the drinking barns along Friar street and in my opinion, far far better.
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I'm going to de-lurk here, i've noticed this "zero" review phenomenon on this, pubs which are in the top ten suddenly drop without reviewed being attached.
This sort of behavior lessens the utility of the site for me and probably for many others. The adminstrators of the site should take note, they shoudl make you write a review before you can rate a pub.
I live in Reading and I agree with the other posters, this is a good pub with good beers, good regulars and a handly location, maybe not the best in the country but still very good, and therefore i'm going to rate it highly, but because of the "zero" rater, i'm now going to give it a "TEN". just to spite the person.
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Nice one, looks ropey from the outside but is a great find once you get through the doors. Beers are good with weekly guest ales and well kept lagers. Pool tables, jukebox and lots of seating. I'm tempted to score it poorly to keep it to myself but thats unfair. One critism though is that it shuts early some nights because it's "QUIET", I can't help thinking that this is more for bar staff convienience rather than commerical sense.
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The best drinking hole in central Reading. Good beers, good crowd, odd bar snacks. Jukebox is slightly odd and the plasma screens seem out of place but the rest of the place is top quality.
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Like it. Good music but can talk without shouting. Good beer, trouble free crowd of what seem like nice punters. Ran out of beer a couple of times though.
A real pub in a town of fake platic bars.
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Nice pub, friendly atmosphere also a good choice of beers.
Would reccomend
anonymous - 19 Jan 2006 12:53 |
Nice pub to start a night, friendly staff, nice beer, not many pubs sell '1664' love it, good music and a bloody huge TV screen. Please let this remain an undiscovered pub as otherwise the chavs will come a flocking!!
All round a good pub
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Good pub, good place to drink, much much better than the plastic chain pubs around it. Real ales are kept well, if in too short a supply, and there is a decent selection of lagers etc.
Strangely the Gents toilet door is always broken.
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Solid pub, much improved over the last few years, pool table, decent beer (which occasionally runs out alas) and not too busy. A decent place to drink in Reading Town centre.
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Nice little boozer. Like to start a night out here but also good for meeting up with mates for a drink after work. Easily recommended.
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Recently re-vamped, but where are all the tables and chairs? If you don't mind standing, then this place is great - nice beer, reasonable prices. Only other let down is the ventilation - seems a little smokey, and that's coming from someone who doesn't mind a cheeky puff...
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Good town centre pub for an after work beer or watching the rugby, sadly let down by thick-wit Australian bar staff who repeatedly tried to short change me with Euros!
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usually one good real ale available.lovely old fasgioned interior, beautiful smoked glass windows above the bar.
Phil - 6 Mar 2004 17:01 |
Great pub to have a good quite drink in. They do a lovely Guinness. Friendly staff. Highly recommended. The outside paint is a bit garish though.
Jonathan - 5 Mar 2004 21:32 |
Best pub in town for watching football (or rugby if you insist).
Ignore the two or three resident alkies slumped on chairs at the bar.
Jelly - 7 Dec 2003 02:11 |
