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Heritage Pub

Retreat, Reading

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Operator: Independent
8 St John's Street, Reading, RG1 4EH (View on Google Map)

A well-loved back street boozer, refurbished 2020/21. A good range of real ales are squeezed onto the small bar. The pub tends to concentrate on well-known regional brands, however there is a good range of more eclectic choices available in bottled form, including continental beers, as well as a number of ciders. Locally renowned for regular live music and hosting local events such as the fiercely-fought pickled onion competition.

Information for this venue is provided by the Reading & Mid-Berks Branch of CAMRA
Previous Names
Local Authority
Reading (B)
Last updated
11/03/2024
Last surveyed
01/12/2023
Pub ID
REA/READIN0730
Asset of Community Value

One star - A pub interior of special national historic interest

Listed status: Not listed

Small Victorian terraced pub with two rooms. The public bar at the front is an amalgamation of the former off-sales and bar, hence the second, but disused front door on the right. This small room retains its original counter, mirrored back fitting and dado panelling with a bench beneath the front window and a baffle by the entrance. An opening leads to the lounge at the rear which would once have been two small rooms. Its fittings are all modern. The former outside gents' has been incorporated within the main pub to the rear of the lounge. All the woodwork received a coat of light green pastel paint about 2015.

General information about historic pub interiors

This small Victorian terraced pub has two rooms. The public bar at the front is an amalgamation of the former off-sales and bar, hence the second, but disused front door on the right. This small room still retains its original counter, mirrored back fitting and dado panelling with a bench beneath the front window and a baffle by the entrance. An opening leads to the lounge at the rear which would have been two small rooms at some stage in the past. Its fittings are all modern. The former outside gents' has been incorporated within the main pub to the rear of the lounge. All the woodwork received a coat of light green pastel paint about 2015.

General information about historic pub interiors
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Monday
Noon - 11:00pm
Tuesday
Noon - 11:00pm
Wednesday
Noon - 11:00pm
Thursday
Noon - 11:00pm
Friday
Noon - 11:30pm
Saturday
Noon - 11:30pm
Sunday
Noon - 10:30pm
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Current beers

This Pub serves 4 changing beers and 1 regular beer.

Regular and recently seen

Retreat, Reading

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Changing

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Changing beers typically include: Butcombe (varies) , Sharp's (varies)

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Facilities
Sports TV Sports TV
TNT only - live music takes precedence
Lunchtime Meals Lunchtime Meals
You can bring your own food
Evening Meals Evening Meals
You can bring your own food
Live Music Live Music
Jazz (usually) on last Sunday of month. See web site for other events.
Family Friendly Family Friendly
Disabled Access Disabled Access
Disabled access to pub & new toilet
Events Events
Quiz night is held every 2nd Wednesday of the month. Annual Pickled Onion competition!
Function Room Function Room
Back bar can be booked
Games Games
Dominos, cards
Newspapers Newspapers
Separate Bar Separate Bar
Smoking Smoking
Features
Real Ale Real Ale
Real Heritage Pub Real Heritage Pub
Beer Festival Beer Festival
Over the Easter weekend, including live music
Quiet Quiet
Transport
Close to bus routes
Reading Buses: 17, 4, 13, 14
Closest station (1100m)
Reading
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Nearby

(Pub, Key). Published on 26-06-2023
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Lyndhurst
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Real Ale Available
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0.1 miles
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Front of building. (External, Key). Published on 09-03-2017
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Dairy
Pub
Real Cider Available
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(Pub, Key). Published on 29-10-2022
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Back of Beyond
Pub
Real Ale Available
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(Pub, Key). Published on 31-10-2014
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Outlook
Pub
Real Ale Available
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0.2 miles
(Pub, Key). Published on 06-10-2014
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Pub
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(Pub, Key). Published on 05-02-2022
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Real Ale Available
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(Pub, Key). Published on 19-01-2022
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Pub
Real Ale Available
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Pub
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Salisbury Club
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Real Ale Available
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0.4 miles

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