The Royal, Reading

Formerly a Polish pub called Gospoda, I never visited it in that guise but something of the eastern bloc still lingers in this open plan bar. The white walls with only prosaic pictures and posters as decor with a laminate floor give that slightly desolate look, although to the right is an area of comfortable sofas. There is a central bandit and a smell of paint, the ceiling round the counter is held up by some plain iron columns. I was served with half a lager by an emaciated barmaid of uncertain age, there are three handpumps and one even had a clip, a Timothy Taylors one but reversed. I suspect if you're twenty something it might be OK after a few beers and after dark.