The Alehouse — Restaurant in Reading

One of the best pubs in Reading. Practically opposite the Oracle in the center of town. Is a very old world styled local pub with a wooden interior catering towards the Real Ale crowd but extremely welcoming to everyone.

There are a constantly changing selection of beers on tap usually around 7 or so and about 4-6 ciders and a mead in bag in box.

They also have a large selection of foreign bottled beers and ales and a few bottled ciders. Prices are around £3.50 for the Bag in box ciders and a bit cheaper for the ales. Bottles and foreign beers are priced up on the blackboard as are some of the more unusual "guests".

There is seating out front on the street for smokers and the patrons are usually very welcome and friendly and happy to let others share their table. It is a great place to sit with friends for an afternoon and watch the world go by. You will often find a friendly crowd of locals stood outside on an evening. If you want to go inside there is a rabbit warren of small, cozy, private wooden tables and alcoves you can go for a quiet drink though the pub is very popular so often you may find them occupied, especially in the evening and at lunch.

The bar staff are really friendly and happy to offer advice or opinions on whatever is on if you are not sure what to have.

The pub is known/referred to locally as the 'Hob or the Hobgoblin as that was it's name for a very long time until forced to change it thanks to a bunch of overzealous bureaucrats.

In a busy town center it is one of the best places just to relax and sit for a while. Highly...

Great vibe in an olde world style. They do 3 varieties of picked egg (!!!) and perhaps too many ales. Mine didn't keep its head as is often the case when many ales are on offer. Take a look around you and order whatever is popular as it will be of a better standard due to the turn around. Plenty of boxed (probably dangerous) cider. If you're from the Midlands where the ale is top notch it may not come up to scratch but the bartending is great as is the ambient music choice - mostly 70s classics, it makes you want this place to have a pool table. Toilets beyond basic just like in the old days. Old ale badges to gawp at everywhere. Reading would be worse off without this place. On the small side but ideal for a stop off. 2 tables on street for...

Just great. I was looking for a traditional English pub in Reading and The Alehouse seemed like the best option. And so it is! People were so nice, everyone, from the staff to the clients. I went by my own, and at the second that I entered in the pub I met some of the frequent clients! Just perfect guys, they invited me to a couple pints and we were chatting the whole afternoon until I had to go. And also, you can go there to drink at any time, there will always be people! Good ales and good prices, with a perfect ambient and decoration. I wish I could return. If I come back to Reading, The Alehouse will be one of the first places...