please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
The truly disgusting thing about this pub is the way big Bertha and her blonde counterpart treat the younger members of staff. No doubt disgruntled with the fact they are both on the Weight Watchers no-hope list they clearly take out their obese frustrations on the gullible six pound per hour maid/man-maid. It isn't Downton Abbey nor Upstairs Downstairs as the staff were treated far better and their overseers far more wraith-like. The Monks has now become a microcosm of all that is wrong with the world; flatulent gluttons riffing upon the Ministry of Plenty dictating to gullible serfs who know no better as this is their "first job". A bled economy obviously equates beggars can't be choosers but beggars surely can stand up to toerags like the aforementioned gluttons.
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Greg, I think they call her Claire and would add she seems quite pleasant if it is the one I'm thinking of. Although granted she clearly has raided the Monk's pie larder and perhaps that is why their menu is always out of vital ingredients on the theme nights. Only a deranged mind would let a teletubbie loose in a kitchen. However I'm shocked to hear of such unprofessional behaviour by 'spoons staff which of course you wouldn't get at the mighty BACK OF BEYOND, 104-108 KINGS ROAD, READING, BERKSHIRE RG1 3BY. If you feel the need for a clean place reasonably priced BOBs is the venue...
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update of my earlier rant - the barstaff in here are nearly as rude as the workshy punters! that jabba the guttage bar manager for one. last time i saw something that big they were trying to get it back in water! her burger locker could curdle milk as I'm sure it curdled me pinta!
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lot of chavs in here, baseball caps and piercing brigade. saw one fella with a blu-ray player carried under his arm like fell off back of lorry. dodgy, well dodgy.
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It is a very great shame. NAY I SAY A VERY GREAT SHAME that this once mighty drinking ground has now become a den of not so much inequity but dare I say it a frequented place of THE LEAGUE OF SHADOWS. Once Mika himself drank in this very bar but now it has gone all evil Betty's hot pot. One need only look at the landlady and that evil double mullet/I'm from the eighties monstrosity upon her head never mind the fact she is a right old lush. I'm sick of these rubbish pubs and their evil landlords and the local Wetherspoons seems to have hit the ground running with biblical evil in the shape of management. Join me brothers and sisters as we exorcise these foul swine from the face of Reading and hopefully the earth.
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Sounds like this place has gone to the dogs by all accounts. Probably why so many punters are now returning to the mighty BACK OF BEYOND, 104-108 Kings Road
Reading, Berkshire RG1 3BY. The problem with the Monks is they simply cannot compete with the excellent bar staff found in Bobs especially now we have the formidable Brad back in the fold. Whereas the Monks have got some flatulent oaf judging by comments below and a landlady with two barnets in one neither of which match! Can one make a suggestion; stop this Simon fellow letting rip and perhaps the flies will depart the bar; his aroma de derrière is obviously attracting 'em!
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Another once decent 'spoons gone to the dogs I'm afraid. As many below have noted service within the time-frame of an average human lifespan is a thing of the past. Especially if bar manager Simon is to hand. Or not to hand as the case may be; seemingly far more intent on making eye/hand contact with his mobile phone than pub punter. When the bizarre fellow did eventually acknowledge my parties presence he then had the nerve to bat out an air biscuit to the bafflement of all . This was seemingly some strange mating ritual all in an effort to impress the female bar staff. Who judging by their eyes watering (and not out of mirth) was rather a non-starter eh Simon?
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Went in on Tuesday for late lunch. Bar service was the usual 'wait and hope to be served' while most bar staff wander past without any eye contact. 1st beer I chose had run out and bar staff decided not to turn pumpclip round. I witnessed a couple of other customers getting the same treatment I got. A little training goes a long way. I ordered 2 halves and was told my CAMRA pint voucher could not be accepted, should have got them to poor them into one pint glass! My partner's lemonade had to be taken back because it tasted of water with a hint of lemon. I was told the lemondate may have run out and needed changing. To be fair, the bar staff did bring the new drink to the table. On exiting I also witnessed the 'outside' crowd making a lot of noise which must put off passers-by. A place to avoid.
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Nasty place. We made the mistake of going there at 5.30 for an early meal before cinema. My wife was one of maybe 2 women in the place. Tables hadn't been cleared, sticky underfoot at the bar (staffed solely by a trainee). And the place was full of elderly drinkers most of whom looked that they'd been there all day for the cheap booze (it was a Monday). It all very rather seedy so we left without ordering. And it was the same outside in the street- same mob. I can't remember Wetherspoon pubs being like this - we'll not bother again.
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They did remove the tables and chairs for a few weeks and the pub was vastly improved. However now they've gone back to letting the dregs of society sup outside and it has all gone to pot again.
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Unfortunately I must agree with the majority of reviews below; the outdoor clientèle really do sully this establishment. I would wager they not only put off many potential pub customers but also those shopping next door in M&S. What Wetherspoon's management are thinking of letting a book be judged by it's shoddy giro toting cover is beyond me? They obviously don't care if their image is tarnished...
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Town centre wetherspoons serving the usual selection of beer and food you find in all of them.
Has some very obnoxious customers especially in the smoking area, normally drunk and swearing loudly even in the middle of a working day.
Would not bother with this pub unless you are desperate.
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Ignore any comments below by Lord Jason, he is Jason lord, the landlord of The Back of Beyond sadly attempting to draw more attention to his own pub. I've never known Wetherspoons to adopt this tactic before and will boycott the Bobs as a direct result of this nonsense. I can only presume he posts this drivel when drunk of a morning and would urge Wetherspoons higher echelons to instill a drug/drink test for their staff as Bobs workers clearly couldn't walk a straight line...
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Mr Robbie, I have read your comment and amended it accordingly;
THE BACK OF BEYOND (104-108 KINGS ROAD, READING, BERKSHIRE RG1 3BY); take one magnificient pub (not to mention an equally magnificient landlord) add great food, add great ale, give it catwalk level female staff (and one speccy ewok) and you get a pub that will always be used by Reading's drinking elite. As opposed to men who admire other men who share a fondness for funny shaped balls (try next door; The Wynford Arms for that kind of thing). We also cater for Davros types although it should be mentioned speeding is not allowed.
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The Monks Retreat, Take one pub add great food, add great beer, give it great staff, and you get a pub that will always be used by THE LONDON IRISH RUGBY SUPPORTERS. brilliant it has to be done, disabled freindly as well what more could you ask for.
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Busy Spoons, not as comfortable as some, and the more interesting beers were tucked in the back bar which meant I had an adequate Ruddles.
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"Sad really".
Sad? Sad!?!?? SAD!??! For the definition of "sad" I would draw your attention good sir to a man who has posted in excess (not to be confused with INXS) over 100 reviews of various hostelrys on this here website. That would be you sir. One can appreciate you may possibly have nothing better to do like myself but seriously at least attempt some personality with the jibes. When I consulted BT for my broadband connection this was not what I signed up for. In an uncertain world OF that you can be sure...
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It's got to be a wind-up surely? Lord Jason (Jason Lord); Back of Beyond; Manager;
Pushing the BOB in every comment about other pubs in town. Sad really.
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what is all this cobblers by lord jason? check out his other reviews, they are all promoting the same pub namely the back of beyond. is it a coincidence that the landlord of that pub is also called jason? this kind of thing shouldn't be allowed and i'm surprised wetherspoons tolerate this tactic. he'd be better off spending time at the gym rather than bigging up his own boozer online the fat git!
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I'd have to disagree with the notion of seats smelling of urine. Without having actually put nostrils to cloth the punter below is clearly a disgruntled ex-employee or possibly drunken punter who didn't get served quick enough. Which isn't surprising as however good a 'spoons the Monk's clearly isn't the Back of Beyond service-wise. But then few pubs in Reading are...
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The outside front of this pub appears to be an official meeting spot for the Reading Alcoholics Anytime Drinking Association, and walking through them and the inevitable smoke can be a little off-putting.
I like Wetherspoons - you know what you're getting and I like their good attitude towards real ale. If the RAADA put you off going in here, there's another Wetherspoons at the other end of Friar Street.
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This is the Weatherspoons favoured by my "CAMRA" real ale alki friends !
Too dark and dingy.
Guess food least reliable of the three Weatherspoons in Reading, but that's like tossing a dice ?
Only reason we drink here is the price, and hey it doesn't smell of pee quite so much as parts of the Hope Tap ... ;-)
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Judging by the previous comments the clientele was a bit different than usual as I visited on a Saturday evening and therefore Reading was doing it's usual 'English Town Centre Binge Drinking War Zone' impression. Real Ale was cheap, local brewers represented, and well kept. A fairly standard JDW pub.
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Dreadful, full of losers and down n outs. The place smells like a drunk tank, avoid !
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Ok....so it's a typical Wetherspoons. However, the staff seem to have a good grasp on good customer service here which you don't always find with that company. Always a good selection of well kept ales on offer served by very friendly staff.
I visited this pub some time ago (maybe a year ago) and things have definately improved since then.
Can get very busy at the weekends with lots of students messing the place up - but I had a good visit last week and definately recommend this place.
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Blimey, what a place!!! I went in for some breakfast at 10:00am on a monday morning and found it full of people already heavily drinking booze!! It is full of down and outs!! Not a nice place
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The beers OK and the prices are right. After that ideas on the place may differ.The front outside is full the lower life whose language and behaviour can be intimidating but just choose to ignore it. It has the most easily accessible disabled toilet in Reading which meant we came here often and were treated in a friendly manner. The food was disappointing but there are plenty of places to eat in Reading.
A great place to people watch, the antics of the inebriated locals are occasionally hilarious. If you are a bit more fussy a short walk will take you take you to some much better choices.
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Rob (who was the manager at the Baron Cadogan) has moved here so I'm hoping that the quality of beer improves to a similar level.
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Yes it is a large typical Wetherspoons with an "interesting mix of clientele" but with around 6 or 7 guest beers available at under £2 a pint (often from local
breweries) !!!!! I won't tell anyone I saw you in there.here.
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Bog standard Wetherspoons near the town hall. Don't miss the upstairs bar with a separate range of beers including Oakham White Dwarf, Ruddles Best, Atlas Equinox, Marstons Pedigree, Nethergate Umble Ale, Otter Amber and 3 others. The clientele was......well it was the typical mix of drunks and loners.
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Large 'spoons with two serveries, a small bar at the front and a larger L shaped one further back, slightly confusing to the unwary or the drunk. Pleasant marble flooring and columns, old fashioned booths in the rear area. The beer was excellent and there was a very wide range in addition to the Real Ale Festival ales. The front pavement area looks to be monopolised by low rent smokers.
anonymous - 4 May 2009 11:00 |
Excellent JDW pub. Good service (!), excellent choice of beers - no complaints.
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Small fronted JDW that is a bit deceptive. There’s a small bar to the left as you enter but if the beer choice there doesn’t inspire you go up the steps and you’ll find a much larger bar with more choice.
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There was a beer fest on when we arrived so we all took up the offer of trying 3 x 1/3 glasses. Great way to try more beers! All were well kept. The service was good and helpful. With the prices so high for food and beer in Reading I am surprised at people knocking these pubs.
lotus - 11 Nov 2008 16:17 |
It's a Wetherspoons house. No more to be said.
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agree with previous comment on our recent visit....
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Beer quality gone downhill over the past few months, can be a bit of a lottery now.
Still the best Spoons in town for atmosphere, but no longer for ale - Hope Tap has that title at present.
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aint been in here for a while as not keen on the interior and the previous time it was too smokey but this time was pleasently suprised. ended up quaffing four diff cask ales all well kept and service was quick and friendly,well worth a visit if u aint been in 4 a while, 7/10
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Large, impersonal, no atmosphere, poor service. In short, a typical Wetherspoons pub.
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service is a bit slow and single women are prone to being propositioned at the bar by drunk men but overall not bad
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As Wetherspoons go, this wasn't so bad on a Saturday morning. Beer too cold and flat, and I wouldn't eat there, but this one is clean and presentable and I got served quick enough.
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Popped in on a Saturday morning for a full English Breakfast washed down with a pint, I was happy with the service, food and beer quality. Usual Wetherspoons issues apply - (clientele, minimal staffing, beer somewhat cold). They could probably afford to raise their prices a little to improve the service.
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Known locally as the "Drunks Retreat" and if you get past the bad tempered door staff you will see why. You must be seriously hard-up if a cheap drink means you have to share a pub with this sort of low life.
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Desperate during the day - was good at weekend nights for a cheap shant. My mate once made the whole pub look at him with a loud Ohhhh once
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Still better beer than the Hope and BoB, and better service too. Food has always been on time and had all the requisite accompaniments!
Alright a chutney was missing once from ma mates curry but the girl went and got one!
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The staff in here are really bad both serving food and behind the bar. If you must go to a Weatherspoons try Bob or the other one instead.
anonymous - 13 Dec 2006 18:05 |
Quite depressing. If you are after a quick drink then this is the place for you. Staying in this pub any longer would have made me suicidal.
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I was in here last Thursday for a couple of pints before getting on train. I went to the bar and had ordered my pint, and was sat down on a sofa, quietly minding my own business. Soon after a heavily intoxicated Irish pensioner staggers through the door, orders a pint, and que the following "conversation":
"Woi youse loik at me loik tat far?"
I reply:
"I'm sorry, I don't know what you're talking about"
The gentleman's voice reeking of naked anger...
"Oi was in te oir u c far tharty yars"
"We wud navar af let te loikes of youse in oimonsgt ar roinks"
I finished up and left.
Well down Tim Martin, another sterling effort.
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Pretty average Spoons.
Beware if you are an Orange mobile phone user you won't get signal here, which can be annoying when other friends are attempting to join you.
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Went at a lunchtime so the negative comments below don't apply to me. the food was nice, and drinks were served with a smile, tis all good. though if i'm in reading i'll avoid going here of a night, judging by below :) great for lunchtime though.
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This is another one of JDW's depressing pubs. Been in twice and would most certainly not return. Regretfully this applies to all their establisments in the Reading area.
anonymous - 20 Sep 2006 14:43 |
Standard Whetherspoons fayre really. Two bars, each with a different set of Real Ale on each, so that's something that gets marks, the Exmoor Gold I had was nice.
The staff weren't exactly MENSA standard but they served those at the bar who had been waiting longest, despite one or two dubious characters out of the Jeremy Kyle show hanging on my shoulder salavating for cheap lager.
We had some food which was reasonable and unlike many other Wevvies it all appeared at the same time, and had all the right ingredients/side salads and was cooked (well microwaved/fried) properly too. It was Tuesday evening though...
I thought it was fair enough really. There are a lot worse Wethies than this one.
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Avoid this place at the weekend unless you like the sound of glass smashing. Moronic bouncers on the door who check ID of everyone-even people with full beards. Someone appears to have drugged all the staff as they have the response times and general alertness of salamanders. OK in the week if you are a student/depressed. Avoid the toilets though-looks like there has been a fight in there with piss as the main weapon.
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WHO NEEDS MADAME TUSSAURDS? I WAS IN THERE AND THE BAR STAFF DON'T MOVE, ITS LIKE THE GUARDS OUTSIDE BUCK PALACE, MAYBE THIS IS THE TRAINING CENTRE? ALSO I WANTED A PINT OF ABBOT NOT 3/4'S OF A PINT AND MORE HEAD THAN A 99 CONE HAS ICECREAM, WASN'T EVEN OFFERED A FLAKE,
anonymous - 20 Jan 2006 06:35 |
Love all the comments and they are all true too, however they do a good curry night. Curry and a pint for under £5!! - but make sure you get a bottle of beer, you dont know where ther glases have been!
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The first weatherspoons in reading so we should be grateful right. Er no - coffin dodgers, chavs, students and bar staff that are painting by numbers half the time. Stick the the back of beyond if weatherspoons is your cup of tight tea. And don't even get me started on the hope tap(convicts welcomed with open arms).
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The gentleman who pushed his way in front of me at the bar was celebrating his release from prison with a few friends. Enough said.
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The good THING about this place is the prices. Realise that is it.
The bad THINGS about this place are that it gets way too packed on some nights.
Service can be sluggish at points, one time im sure the bar staff were actually going backwards in time.
It smells.
Please don't put those two together, the bar staff are not the reason it smells. They are pleasant when they are moving.
There's no music.
Not so sure its so violent tho, never really noticed myself, im usually too busy kicking the sweaty pissy grannie's and grandad's asses out of there, Coz im well 'ard. No, not Robbie's dog, just well 'ard.
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It's not quite as bad as everyone here has said. However, it does smell.
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What's the matter with you people! I always begin an evening here whatever night of the week, ok no music and service can be sluggish on busy nights but the prices are splendid. Good thing about here is due to lack of music you can have a decent conversation without having to do a load of shouting and pointing to get understood. Maybe you minions haven't developed the art of conversation yet. Go back to rednecksville.
anonymous - 9 Feb 2005 16:23 |
If i wasn't so offended by the staff at back of beyond, and hope tap wasn't so far away, i'd never come here. Its painfully slow and filthy and hot and gets no mobile reception. On the other hand, it's very cheap.
Stuart - 5 Sep 2004 16:45 |
a truly offensive pub.
day times are scarred by drunks who leave the seats 'wet', and the whole place smells like urine
night times are scarred by, well, people scarring you. one of the most violent pubs in reading, full of chavs looking for a fight.
avoid at all costs. the back of beyond, another JDW pub, is positively brilliant by comparison.
Greg - 25 Aug 2004 11:30 |
Interesting to find this pub packed at 10.40am on a recent visit. By 1.00pm the whole place was wrecked, with seemingly the entire Saturday shopping population of Reading using it as a public toilet.
Stephen Harris - 5 May 2004 21:22 |
All the men in here wear the same shirts. Blue checkers anyone? Dudes, go shopping!!!
Bar staff can be sloooow, but it does get v busy.
Katherine - 29 Mar 2004 16:36 |
Agree staff are SLOOOOOW. That's because 90% of the time they're serving skint alcoholics and any sudden movements would send them into a psychosis. Cheap food in the afternoons though, and a no smoking area if you like that sort of thing. No music like all JDs but there's plenty of alternatives in Reading if you're desperate to hear the latest Radio 1 drivel.
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Bexley, you are either lying or mad.
The front half of the pub is for the exclusive use of winos. Warning - almost all the seats are damp.
Also holders of the Royal County's prestigious Slowest Bar Staff award (for the 3rd year running).
Jelly - 29 Nov 2003 01:01 |
Er no. Not even faintly true. The Monk's is also full of dipsotic old men, battered by life, ground down by relentless toil and generally up for a pint of "Old Git" at 99p. If you think the birds in the Monks are pretty you need an eye test, or perhaps a brain scan. The redeeming feature Stella = £2 a pint. Oh and I once got away with smoking a spliff in the corner. Wicked.
anonymous - 27 Jun 2003 15:58 |
Its a weatherspoons pub, so its cheap, good atmosphere, loads of pretty girls and you can get served very quick. There is two weatherspoons on this road this one is oppersite Yates. The other one is full of old people.
bexley - 21 Mar 2003 16:16 |
