The Retreat, Reading

The Retreat is a mid-terrace backstreet boozer with a small bar area at the front with seating and a bar on the right hand wall. There are seven hand pumps that were drawing an interesting array of ales during my visit on a sunny Saturday afternoon a couple of weeks ago. I do not recall seeing any draught taps so this is a pub for fans of real ale. There is more seating at the rear where there is also a dartboard and table skittles. There are no televisions and there was no background music. This is a small pub, but thankfully it had just the right amount of visitors during my visit to make it very enjoyable. I found the staff to be friendly and I would make a point of returning here if in Reading.

This is a terraced pub, with a bench outside. I am not sure how long it has been a pub, the only on the street mapwise is the Beehive on the corner with Eldon Terrace (1880s- 1930s at least). Anyhow, it is in undressed brick, with a later porch (including entablature and pediment), all in the Georgian style. The interior has a a couple of rooms, although it is open plan. The front bar area is in yellow and wood panel and has old photos, jugs and menu boards for the array of drinks they purvey. The rear room is in white and wood. There is a dart board and a table skittles game, with a few mirrors and posters. The service was very friendly and the clientele consists of a general mix - locals and real ale fans that really do see this as a spiritual retreat. I saw no TV and i heard no music, other than the pulling of beer. Beer; usual tap stuff, with masses of continental bottles. On handpull, i had listed; Pedigree, Marston's ashes Ale, Cottage Boundary, Cameron's Mosaic, Deuchars IPA, Sharpes Cornish Coaster and Saddler's Red House. I had the Cameron's and the Cottage - both decent. A great little place - somewhere where you can sit for hours.

An old school boozer,set in a terrace .The interior is small with the front bar a lively spot ,and there is much banter with the friendly guv'nor.There are a few benches,and in good weather another bench at the front,while the serving bar extends from this front room ,through to the rear lounge.This is where the darts board,table skittles and a rare bagatelle board are all housed.This back room is a lot less hectic than the front,but doesnt have a lot of natural light. The seven handpumps had a fair selection in Sharps Cornish Coaster,Deuchars IPA,Cottage Boundary,Pedigree,Sadlers Red House(£3.50,OK condition) and Camerons Mosaic.That's a lot of ale for a small pub to shift,but there did seem a reasonable flow of local custom besides the large crawl.It's easy to settle into the relaxed vibe here,and always worth putting on the list when planning an ale tour.

Probably the best local pub in reading. Good chioce of well kept beers of wich most change, great local atmosphere and you are made to feel part of the furniture. A real gem not to be missed.