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Beer of the Week (w/e 27th April 2025) with Thuck Phat
on the Pub Forum
Image posted by paulof horsham
Submitted on Tuesday, 31st May 2022
With picture contributions to 5694 other pubs
View all this pub's pictures (18 more images)
Detail Pages
The Monks Retreat, Reading
Reading
RG1 1HE
Served areas
Reviews of The Monks Retreat (Average Rating: 6½ of 10) see review guidelines
Mild Drinker left this review about The Monks Retreat
This former Wetherspoons lives on and has been very busy on all of my visits. On a split level with 2 bars 1 of which has never been in use when I've been in. 2 hand pulls on offer of London Pride and Hobgoblin. Always plenty of sport on usually the football. Decent boozer.
On 2nd February 2025
- rating: 7
[User has posted 103 recommendations about 103 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Graham Coombs left this review about The Monks Retreat
Large split level pub with two bars - the lower one is not always open. Still feels like a Wetherspoon's, but it has now received the full Stonegate treatment of TVs and speakers throughout the pub, but retaining a good range of beers (and food) at reasonable prices and those sampled were in good nick. Definitely improving.
On 22nd January 2018
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3641 recommendations about 3576 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The Monks Retreat
Has just re-opened after a thorough refurb.
April 2017
Now owned and re-opened by Stonegate. Almost no change at all inside and the only reason you know it is no longer a Spoons is that it's less busy! Three or four guest ales on and my Liberation the other day was excellent.
September 2016
Up for sale and the beer lately has been low in choice and quality. Seems to be seeing out its last days.
October 2015
The awned exterior is usually thronged by smokers, who as noted below are quite harmless. The interior décor follows the usual Spoons mid-90's format, although with this one you get the novelty of two bars - one to the left as you enter and another (larger) bar up the steps and to the right which both stock different ales, so worth having a walk round first (though usually the lower has the more bog-standard offerings). Ale quality varies depending on the management in place. Downsides are that the toilets are often ropey and that the rear of the pub is a mobile phone blackspot, so don't arrange to meet friends there.
On 25th August 2017
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 5552 recommendations about 5533 pubs]
View more reviews of The Monks Retreat (18)
No known official website for this pub.
- Facebook - The Monks Retreat,Reading
- CAMRA WhatPub :: The Monks Retreat - 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 30 September 2013 by Quinno _
- Bar Billiards : No last updated 29 July 2013 by Quinno _
- Beer Festivals : Yes last updated 29 July 2013 by Quinno _
- Beer Garden : Yes - A few pavement tables - last updated 22 January 2018 by Graham Coombs
- CAMRA Discount : No last updated 29 July 2013 by Quinno _
- Car Park : No last updated 29 July 2013 by Quinno _
- Child Friendly : Yes last updated 30 September 2013 by Quinno _
- Darts : No last updated 29 July 2013 by Quinno _
- Dog Friendly : No last updated 29 July 2013 by Quinno _
- Function Room : No last updated 22 September 2015 by Quinno _
- Hot Food : Yes last updated 07 May 2014 by Quinno _
- Jukebox : No last updated 29 July 2013 by Quinno _
- Karaoke : No last updated 29 July 2013 by Quinno _
- Live Music : No last updated 29 July 2013 by Quinno _
- Live TV Sports : Yes last updated 22 January 2018 by Graham Coombs
- Micropub : No last updated 22 September 2015 by Quinno _
- Pinball : No last updated 29 July 2013 by Quinno _
- Pool Table : No last updated 29 July 2013 by Quinno _
- Quiz Night : No last updated 29 July 2013 by Quinno _
- Real Ale : Yes last updated 07 May 2014 by Quinno _
- Real Cider : Yes last updated 30 September 2013 by Quinno _
- Wheelchair Access : No last updated 30 September 2013 by Quinno _
- WiFi : Yes last updated 07 May 2014 by Quinno _
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