please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Had a nice pint of Wadworths - Bishops Tipple on last visit. Lunchtime food very nice and bar staff gave a warm welcome.
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Pleasant enough, clean spacious, friendly - but not impressed with the Wadworth's beer. Perhaps it's not my style, but I remember I being OK years ago. Oh well, personal taste I guess.
Seem to do good business with the food, which I haven't tried yet.
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Ok but nothing special. Beer (Wadworth's) too cold. Popular as an after-work venue for local offices.
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Visited with my wife on the way back up the M4. The Bull is only a short ride from the junction. They have a new young chef and the food was fantastic. We ate off the evening menu and this is a mixture of classic English Pub food with a modern twist. We had Whitebait and Scallops to start with and these were very well presented and cooked, followed by fish and chips and belly of pork with black pudding. The portions were very generous, especially as the mains were only �10.00 each. Will make an effort to stop next time we are going down the M4.
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Tuesday afternoon - bus from Reading, stops opposite,went in for a pint,friendly greeting from the barmaid;orderd a pint of IPA;she pulls off some beer before serving me (nice touch);beer good;tasty and cool (not cold) not many people in the bar but plenty to keep me occupied(local papers and newsletters/TV without sound - sadly the quiz machine had all the wrong answers on it). OK this place may well change in the evening at at weekends but I liked it when I visited and that's all I can judge it by. �2.70 for the beer was good these days.
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Happy to call this pub my local, and what a change we've seen in the last couple of years. The food is posh nosh restaurant quality and not too pricey either. This is definitely not your generic Harvester type grub ! The Bull has become the most popular Eat-Out location in Theale, with the kitchen buzzing even on weekday nights ! Regular live bands, (a favourite venue for Reading band The Quotes). Two weekly Quiz Nights, - Large screen for sports coverage. (Upstairs area enables coverage of 2 games or Rugby + Footie combo. Upper bar also doubles as private venue for meetings / meals / parties etc. The refurb of the "back room" has really brought the place to life - almost like stepping from the pub into a different venue. Good choice of wine - 2 or 3 well kept Wadsworths Ales on at all times. Can't believe all of this is 1/4 mile from my house !
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Wow, what a transformation! This pub has had a massive uplift. I used to come in occasionally (when in the area) but will try to come here more often! There is more wine choice, more cask ale choice (my partner is happy!) and the food is better than ever! There is a new seating area at the back which is lovely for drinking or eating, the staff are polite, professional and freindly! Recommended.
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BRING BACK THE WHEEL OF FORTUNE..
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I frequent this pub when in the area. As for the comment below I have spent many a fun saturday night here with no trouble. As with all pubs I presume that there are always unfortunate 'one offs' so I think that is a very unfair comment. The beer is good as is the atmosphere. I am in my late thirties so am no spring chicken! The food is homecooked and I have never had any complaints so I would say give it a try.
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I had a 'weird' Saturday night there few months back. Drunken people wanting to fight you may seem exciting for some, I say no no to the Bull. Good size of a place though.
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Never really got much out of this place, seems to be a bit of a Chav magnet some days, doesn't really hold an atmosphere outside the big sporting events.
Big and open-plan inside, usually stocks one or two of the Wadworth range in average condition but not really enough to make an impact.
So-so.
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The Bull has undergone somewhat of a transformation in the last few years. The standard of food started heading in the right direction with the previous landlord and has happily continued with the current boss. Sky was installed last year, (not everyones cup of tea,) but of all the pubs in Theale, this is the one with the best layout to enable mass viewing, and the venue of choice for Champions League and Rugby Union fans alike. Good live bands play about twice a month, with many up and coming young groups warmly received along with the more established and equally popular covers outfits. The covered outdoor area for smokers has been tastefully done, (By Dean of Fox Fencing), so much so that many of us non smokers can be found there, weather permitting. The quiz on alternate Thursdays is gaining popularity, and I've always found the ales to be well kept. Gone are the dark days of aggro, kids in the pool room, (now a function type restaurant space), and regular visits from the law.
What would I change if the place were mine to run ? I'd have a regular open mike night. I'd stock a super cold lager - "Buy One Get One Free" and I'd enforce an immediate ban on children, dogs and Sunderland supporters. (C'mon Boro !)
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Well myself and my two young children were not so impressed by this pub!! We chose it for it's family friendly reputation. I was disapointed to be greeted roughly by the barman who gruffly told my son off for messing up the tomato ketchup sachets with not so much as a smile for a welcome. I asked him whether they were family friendly as his attitude put me in doubt, he said that he was only family friendly if the kids didn't play with the sachets. I found his attitude astounding and arrogant, we would not have felt uncomfortable staying there with him breathing down our necks! If you come with kids, beware the barman with the attitude.
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Now a family run tenancy as opposed to a managed pub.
Good standard of food maintained and regular live music and other events planned.
Family friendly with a non-smoking dining area and still has a function room available for hire.
The quality of beer is good and there is a also a choice of 5 lagers.
Worth checking out.
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GREAT FOOD
CASQUE MARK REAL ALES
WONDERFUL HOSTS
FIRST CLASS STAFF
VERY FRIENDLY REGULARS
June Johnston - 11 May 2005 11:53 |
This is now propably the nicest pub in the village, no more pool tables or pikeys, exceellent food served all day, till 9pm!, will even prepare food not on the menu if you ask nicely.
New managment too, v.friendly, quiz on mondays, karokoe occasioanly.
some special offers on house doubles (70mls!!) �2.70 -
The beer is cheaper than most of thte other pubs in the village too, unlike �3.20 a pint in the volunteer.
all in all a good daytime boozer, or night out.
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it's okay, two pool tables upstairs, tho they are usually occupied by youngsters with their baseball caps and reebok classics.
captain_cool - 3 Mar 2004 10:38 |
This pub was known as The Wheel Of Fortune when I lived in Theale. In a spectacular piece of misjudgement it then got painted pink and renamed The Gathering. Needless to say this was NOT a success, and the new owners renamed it The Bull (which apprently was its original name way beck in the Bath Road stagecoach days).
Prices are a bit steep but it's still one of Theale's better pubs.
Jelly - 2 Dec 2003 01:08 |
