The Blagrave Arms, Reading

Chance would have it that I visited the Blagrave Arms a couple of times on Saturday last weekend. The first time was just before lunch when I found myself to be the only customer. The second time was early evening when there were a couple of bouncers on the door and the pub wasn’t much busier. I used to work in the offices opposite circa 2001 and remember this place being a bit of a dive. It now has the feel of a trendy bar with black leather (?) furniture and black tables. There are also a couple of black high tables and the bar stools are also black. There are a couple of framed plasma screens that were showing muted BBC 24 News, I cannot recall if these were on during my evening visit. During my lunchtime visit there was some depressing background music playing. The bar is stocked with premium draught products and the two hand pumps were drawing Hogs Back Brewery’s T.E.A and Vale Brewery’s Metroland. Food is available and all of the mains are priced under £10. I found this to be a characterless bar and I do not plan a return visit anytime soon.

A very fine frontage but quite sterile interior,done in that trendy bar style.Two doormen outside but about as many punters inside until the remnants of the PuG crawl barrel in.Two handpumps but my only recollection was having a Vale Metroland (half £1.75).I noted a wooden floor and raised banquettes but I am unlikely to darken it's doors again.

Very odd pub and theme nights they appear to do. Rundown and not really worth the visit anyway.

Found it to be rather gloomy and soulless on my recent visit only a couple of other customers in at 4.30 on a Thursday afternoon.Only two real ale offerings available both from Andwells, not a favorite of mine,on this basis I don't intend to return in the near future.