The Allied Arms, Reading

A particular favourite for CAMRA in Reading this one. Music from the Jukebox can make it a loud place in the evening, which is not a problem for me.

A flying visit to this very fine pub, still guarding its reputation as Reading's most expensive pub, bag of nuts £1, Pint of 4.2% beer £3.45 (4.3% beer in the Hobgoblin £3.20). Glad to see some of the customers still talking utter tripe, we wouldn't expect or indeed want them to talk sense. A much better pub than many in central Reading.

Pleasant pub with good quality ales

Traditional old pub with low ceilings and two separate bars. Three ales including a nice Loddon Hullabaloo. Friendly staff and customers, good place for a beer and a chat or to read the papers.

Side alley entrance to a traditional two bar layout. The bar is continuous through both rooms along the back wall but the hand pumps are in the rear (Dragoon Lounge). The front room is The Yeoman Lounge. A slightly dated feel, black and white beamed ceilings, white walls, sparsely embellished with the odd local photo, and a patterned carpet. Traditional standard chairs and tables plus bar stools, no fancy high seats or sofas here. There is a rear courtyard for outdoor drinking/smokers. A no frills functional town pub really, good beer choice at the time of my visit of Tring Phantom Monk, Cottage Whippet Howling Ale, Loddon Hullabaloo, Wychwood Hobgoblin, Pride and a Weston's Cider. A friendly group of locals at the bar politely moved over as I arrived to allow me a look at the choice of beer. The slightly retro feel is reinforced by the prescence of an 80's style sit down two player video game in The Yeoman Lounge, sadly not the original Space Invaders however. The pub has its own branded glasses with the pub name, a nice touch.

A super looking old building with two traditionally decorated bars, both bizarrely labelled lounges. Good choice of well kept beers service a bit slow but not down to the Wetherspoons standard. A little pricey perhaps but Reading seems that way. Middle aged male customers in the main, although there were a few couples in as well.