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The Royal, Reading

2 Bedford Road
Reading
RG1 7HS

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Reviews (Current Rating Average: 8 of 10) Add Review see review guidelines


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Quinno _ left this review about The Royal

Despite the 'real ales' sign outside there are none and no handpumps either (one to to complain to the local trading standards about). Fairly dark and dingy inside and caters to a strange mix of Afro Caribbean and Poles. Two halves of Kroney sufficed. Noted a BBQ being prepped.

Feb 2013
Has re-opened as The Royal. Cask ale was advertised, available for a month and has subsequently disappeared. Freehold of the building is up for sale if anyone has a spare £325k and fancies competing with the Nags. You'd certainly get a decent amount of spillover custom if you follow a similar formula...

October 2011 - as Gospoda
Previously a right old rough-house called the Battle Inn (how apt) this place got taken over Admiral a few years back and has gone for an interesting take - a Polish themed pub, aimed at Poles but anyone is welcome. The interior (and now, exterior) has had a fair chunk of investment and looks good. The last time I went in I was a bit disappointed that there were only the same Polish bottles that I could find at any other corner shop on the Oxford Road, alongside classic low-grade stuff like Fosters. The food looked and smelled delicious - hearty Polish cuisine, apparently, so may well be worth going in solely for that if you're hungry and in the Nags Head...I aim to try some myself soon.

On 3rd August 2015 - no rating submitted
[User has posted 5089 recommendations about 5072 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Old Boots left this review about The Royal

Formerly a Polish pub called Gospoda, I never visited it in that guise but something of the eastern bloc still lingers in this open plan bar. The white walls with only prosaic pictures and posters as decor with a laminate floor give that slightly desolate look, although to the right is an area of comfortable sofas. There is a central bandit and a smell of paint, the ceiling round the counter is held up by some plain iron columns. I was served with half a lager by an emaciated barmaid of uncertain age, there are three handpumps and one even had a clip, a Timothy Taylors one but reversed. I suspect if you're twenty something it might be OK after a few beers and after dark.

On 19th July 2013 - no rating submitted
[User has posted 3269 recommendations about 2978 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


dave stray left this review about Gospoda

Pretty good polish bar type place, no ale but usual selection of lager type drinks. Worth a visit.

On 8th January 2012 - rating: 8
[User has posted 265 recommendations about 183 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


fabian esse left this review about Gospoda

been there for dinner on sat night,very impressive what they've done with old 'battle'.Food really tasty and fresh.
Thumbs up for them!

On 11th February 2009 - rating: 8
[User has posted 1 recommendations about 1 pubs]