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Beer of the Week (w/e 27th April 2025) with Thuck Phat
on the Pub Forum
Image posted by Quinno _
Submitted on Thursday, 28th March 2024
With picture contributions to 5437 other pubs
View all this pub's pictures (3 more images)
Detail Pages
The Black Lion, Reading
Woodcote
Postal town: Reading
RG8 0RB
Served areas
Reviews of The Black Lion (Average Rating: 5½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Blue Scrumpy left this review about The Black Lion
Opening times for this pub seem to be a bit of a mystery. I originally arrived here at 2:30 in the afternoon (a Saturday) to find it closed up. A notice on the door stated that a coach would be departing on the day for a football game. So, my assumption was that the village had packed up for the day and all headed to a match. A door at the rear was open, but nobody appeared to be around to answer my telephone call.
I returned early evening to find the pub in full swing. The village football team (Woodcote FC) had apparently won the Cup (presumably not the FA Cup) and all were celebrating at the far end, next to a football table. Loud music was playing and one dog was barking continuously, much to the annoyance of the landlady.
The other end of the pub was occupied by a much more senior clientele. I eventually sat down somewhere between the two with my Loddon Hullabaloo. Other ales were Courage Best & Fuller's London Pride.
A strange place, which seemingly doesn't open during the day. But it's clearly a hub for the local community.
On 2nd April 2022
- rating: 5
[User has posted 3040 recommendations about 3038 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The Black Lion
Well well what an unusual place. On entering it felt like a social club at a caravan site circa 1993. Heavy smell of detergent in the air, at least it proves there’s cleaning going on I suppose. Carpeted front and quarry tile floor to rear. Lots of brown in the décor, with Woodcote FC ephemera breaking things up a bit. Punter entertainment - motor racing on the TV, pool, darts and an old school CD jukebox. Three ales on; West Berks Chubbs (decent nick), Brakspear Bitter and Courage Directors, served up by a genuinely friendly guv’nor. We were pointed to the very nice rear garden, where we supped in peace. I couldn’t really work out what to make of it then and I still can’t now, either – it feels like someone’s hobby. Perhaps no worse for it.
On 12th November 2015
- rating: 6
[User has posted 5552 recommendations about 5533 pubs]
No known official website for this pub.
- Facebook - Black Lion
- CAMRA WhatPub :: The Black Lion - whatpub.com
Pangbourne, 3.7 miles, 1 hr 11 min walk (show)
Tilehurst, 6.68 miles, 2 hr 8 min walk (show)
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.
- Bar Billiards : No last updated 12 November 2015 by Quinno _
- Beer Garden : Yes last updated 12 November 2015 by Quinno _
- CAMRA Discount : No last updated 12 November 2015 by Quinno _
- Car Park : Yes last updated 12 November 2015 by Quinno _
- Child Friendly : Yes last updated 12 November 2015 by Quinno _
- Darts : Yes last updated 12 November 2015 by Quinno _
- Jukebox : Yes last updated 12 November 2015 by Quinno _
- Live TV Sports : Yes last updated 12 November 2015 by Quinno _
- Micropub : No last updated 12 November 2015 by Quinno _
- Pinball : No last updated 12 November 2015 by Quinno _
- Pool Table : Yes last updated 12 November 2015 by Quinno _
- Real Ale : Yes last updated 12 November 2015 by Quinno _
- Real Cider : No last updated 12 November 2015 by Quinno _
