Nags Head, Reading

It's easy to visit a good pub once and rave about it, but if the same pub also stands the test of time and only seems to get better, you have found a real gem. Such a gem is the The Nag's Head in Russel Street, Reading. It is just in a different league to all other ale pubs in Reading (and there are a few good ones.) To summarize :

1) Over 10 ales on tap, all in good condition, and not as expensive as other places
2) Had 13 yes THIRTEEN ciders available
3) Out of principle doesn't do the awful bog-standard lagers, but has a small number of connoisseur's lagers in case you have a non-ale drinker with you; incl. Leffe and Grolsch
4) Does higher-quality kettle-style crisps than the usual Walkers fare; and lots of flavours incl. Jalapeno pepper
5) Has a nice dartboard
6) Clean, large loos
7) A Roaring log fire
8) Friendly barstaff and regulars
9) A range of board games and books for the chilling punter
10) A real piano and a pianist who comes in on a Sunday evening and plays well-known pop and rock numbers
11) When the pianist stops the standard music starts playing but it is kept at a sensible volume so there's no problem having a conversation
12) Great decor; period posters, Reading FC historical artifacts, lampshades made from whisky cartons, beer mats galore on the ceiling fringes
13) Regular live music
14) Only a 5-minute walk from the town centre, probably slightly nearer Reading West station than Reading central.

I was a bit surprised by the main summary against the pub saying it had a 'large TV screen' if so I certainly didn't see it in there! It's certainly not that sort of pub; if you want a 'sports' bar with a massive TV to watch the Rugby on or whatever, go to the Three Guineas. The fact there's no telly on and the music is a decent volume is one of the reasons we go here! It's a proper old-fashioned ale pub, exactly as pubs should be.
( Also recommended for post-ale curry is the very nearby 'Punjab Grill' which is a Southall-style curry café i.e. very cheap, canteen-style, no frills; very ethnic, very excellent. )
Long Live the Nag's Head!!!
Outstanding.

25 Mar 2013 16:36