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Red Cow, Reading

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user reviews of the Red Cow, Reading

please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.

With so many pubs closing down or being tarted-up this is a "classic" in its own little way. Not stunning architecturally but retaining much of the 1970's feel of a genuine Reading pub. Once owned by Simonds then Courage it does not sell real ale (but probably has a cellar capable of doing so) and it still has the decor and mementoes of a by-gone era. Worth a visit and a half of courage fizzy Best Bitter (just to remind you why you joined CAMRA) Apparently the Sunday lunches are great value for money. Worth a visit before it -eventually? - get pulled down or converts to another Tesco.
mcroyal - 21 Nov 2012 12:43
yes yes this pub harks back to the bad old days of the 70s, but if you want somewhere to hide after a heavy weekender that did (as far as i remember) the biggest fatboy fryup for �2, it can't be beat. just don't look in the kitchen.
darksun9210 - 17 Nov 2008 20:09
Enjoy the Lounge bar, it should be listed by CAMRA as a heritage pub as it is perfectly preserved from 1984, right down the vintage Hofmeister ashtrays and Courage Best Nitrokeg! (perhaps they have Red Barrel and a Party 7 hidden in the cellar too). Landlady is akin to Peggy Mitchell on speed.

Outside of that comedy factor, there's no real reason to return once you've had a look.
Quinno - 28 Jun 2007 18:13
Visited again more recently. If you're looking for a real British gem of a pub come here. It's the geniune article. The ideal place for the crib player and very very friendly.
Alexh1982 - 12 Jan 2006 14:43
I went there last week, (25/09/05) and had a really good time with my mate and his dad. Cheap pool, friendly atmos, doors and awnings (we estimate) haven't been changed since WW2 and reasonable prices. Even had a light and bitter just go with the feel of the pub. Lovely!!!!
Alexh1982 - 2 Oct 2005 19:14
A reminder of how pubs used to be in the 70's. Crap beer, worn furniture, brown stains everywhere, rough looking customers, awful toilets. Catch it while you can - it won't be there forever!
Bob - 13 Nov 2004 19:08
Very ugly looking pub from the outside, slightly better on the inside providing you don't look around the place. Warm beer, rubbish crowd. AVOID!
Jonathan - 5 Mar 2004 21:28
ignore the first two comments just an old fashioned boozer. Great food too.
Bob - 10 Feb 2004 13:10
Really smokey, really tatty but really friendly.
anonymous - 27 Jan 2004 11:08

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