Not already a member?
Join our community and
- Rate & review pubs
- Upload pictures
- Add events
JOIN for free NOW
Chat about:
Beer of the Week (w/e 27th April 2025) with Thuck Phat
on the Pub Forum

Image posted by paulof horsham
Submitted on Tuesday, 8th April 2025
With picture contributions to 5694 other pubs
View all this pub's pictures (21 more images)
Detail Pages
Thirsty Bear, Reading
Reading
RG1 3BY
Served areas
Reviews of Thirsty Bear (Average Rating: 4 of 10) see review guidelines
Mild Drinker left this review about Thirsty Bear
Located next to The Back of Beyond is this rather out of town pub. On entering you're greeted more like it's a restaurant. 2 handpulls with the clips turned. I had a pizza and a half pint which was £5.50. Pizza was decent but the server was fairly rude. I was the only customer here on my Monday afternoon visit. Wouldn't come back here in a hurry as I'm not a fan of paying at the end and the rude service I received.
On 24th March 2025
- rating: 3
[User has posted 103 recommendations about 103 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Moby Duck left this review about Thirsty Bear
Opened out corner pub/bar, very busy with Rugby on TV. Two apparently out of use handpumps on the bar along with a selection of keg taps, normal stuff and corporate craft mainly.
On 24th September 2019
- rating: 5
[User has posted 2151 recommendations about 2118 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about Thirsty Bear
Now re-opened as a pizzeria and bar. The internal layout remains as was but has been stripped back to the bare braick and there's a general browns-and-mocha theme. No ale on either of two pumps, so we went for two halves of Lagunitas which set us back an astonishing £5.90 - no wonder the bear is thirsty. I won't be doing this one again anytime soon.
Sept 2015
Sadly closed - the licensee blaming a massive rent-hike by the owner, Star Pubs.
Sept 2013
Long-established gay boozer with associated theme evenings. Fairly open-plan and unremarkable inside, DJ booth/stage area off to the left. After a period without ale a couple of handpulls have returned. Last few visits have found pretty reasonable quality with the barman serving up pints of Tribute and Pride.
On 4th June 2017
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 5552 recommendations about 5533 pubs]
Pubs Galore is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
- Official site of Thirsty Bear - www.thirsty-bear.com
- Facebook page of Thirsty Bear - www.facebook.com
- CAMRA WhatPub :: Thirsty Bear - whatpub.com
Pub Details
Pub details supplied by members of this site to the best of their knowledge. Please check with pub directly before making a special trip.
- Accommodation : No last updated 04 June 2017 by Quinno _
- Bar Billiards : No last updated 04 June 2017 by Quinno _
- Beer Festivals : No last updated 04 June 2017 by Quinno _
- Beer Garden : Yes - Roof terrace - last updated 19 April 2017 by ROB Camra
- CAMRA Discount : No last updated 04 June 2017 by Quinno _
- Car Park : No last updated 04 June 2017 by Quinno _
- Child Friendly : Yes last updated 19 April 2017 by ROB Camra
- Darts : No last updated 04 June 2017 by Quinno _
- Dog Friendly : No last updated 04 June 2017 by Quinno _
- Function Room : Yes last updated 08 April 2025 by paulof horsham
- Hot Food : Yes last updated 04 June 2017 by Quinno _
- Jukebox : Yes last updated 19 April 2017 by ROB Camra
- Karaoke : No last updated 04 June 2017 by Quinno _
- Live Music : Yes last updated 19 April 2017 by ROB Camra
- Live TV Sports : Yes last updated 19 April 2017 by ROB Camra
- Micropub : No last updated 04 June 2017 by Quinno _
- Pinball : No last updated 04 June 2017 by Quinno _
- Pool Table : No last updated 04 June 2017 by Quinno _
- Real Ale : No last updated 04 June 2017 by Quinno _
- Real Cider : No last updated 04 June 2017 by Quinno _