Allied Arms in Reading

Average service, good location, highly overpriced drinks and average atmosphere. This place used to be very good, but we definitely won’t be returning.

Unfortunately we will not be returning to The Allied Arms which is a huge shame as we live in Reading and are frequent pub-goers. Although the pub itself is charming, I cannot say the same about the bar staff, particularly the young waitress / barmaid who was very cold, volatile and quite obviously had somewhere else to be on a Friday night. She seemed to be the one in charge that day. Last orders were called at 11 yet we were served after this (which is typically no issue if the staff give you the full 20 minutes after you’ve been served to finish a pint as is standard practice) yet we were strong armed to leave at 11.15 despite showing proof of being served later. Given this is an expensive pub (6.50 -8 pounds a pint) we were shocked at how we were being treated. Trying to cooperate, we asked for plastics and we were told they had none, followed by a firm request to pack up and leave immediately (10 minutes after being served a full pint each). No empathy, just cold and borderline aggressive dialogue from the manager. I’d like to point out that at 11.10 the garden door was intentionally left open, letting in ice cold air, to force customers out (it was a full house), which is completely out of order after an ‘11pm final orders’ and quite frankly cruel when it’s -1 outside. This truly exposed the inexperience of bar staff on site. My husband and I have held many bar, waitressing and bar management positions across the country, and we have never seen such unnecessary, cruel and tyrannical treatment as we received last Friday. A note to the owner: We aren’t here to tell the you how to run your business, but we would seriously explore you to reconsider who you have representing you front of house and the irreversible damage done weekly, especially to your locals.

Made the mistake of bringing our fourteen year old here just before 6pm on a quiet Sunday night. Were served drinks (which we paid for) at four minutes to six and we’re then kicked out at 6pm because we had a ‘minor’. Utterly shocking behaviour. This has been one of our favourite pubs for years. Not anymore.

Love this pub, a bit pricey, but great atmosphere and good selection of beers, nice big garden out the back as well! Right in the middle of town!

Pub is OK. Problem is its card only. For those who prefer to pay cash this is unnecessary Don't they realise covid is over! Won't be back

Patron was being transphobic. Staff saw no issue, said words are just words. I insulted staff and then they stated they said they were filing an incident for me being rude. Apparently, transphobia is not a problem for them. Largely patrons are middle-aged men with right-wing views and are bigoted. Staff see no issue with it. Avoid at all costs if you're a decent human.

Nice little pub, with a great secret sheltered garden.It has a nice ambience & nice background music playing. Barman is polite, friendly & obliging. Great cold beer. I'll be back. 😊👍🏻

This has been my favourite pub in Reading for many years now. It is family run and the staff are consistently great. The real secret is the beer garden - sheltered and warm through the winter and stunningly beautiful during the summer. If you have not visited you are missing out. The bar has a great cross-section of real ales (up to 10), lagers, ciders, spirits and wine - something for everyone! It is not the cheapest place to have get a drink, but it is definitely one of the best in town. I have to laugh that Tripadvisor classifies this as a restaurant - other than pub snacks (crisps, nuts etc), no food is served. However you are welcome to bring your food into the pub to eat with your drink. PizzaExpress is right next door!

Thought i was in Central London not reading with the prices they charge. There are plenty of far better pubs with cleaner toilets and real bar staff in Reading that charge 3/4 the price. Went in by chance and with high expectations as it looks traditional but it was a costly mistake.

The front room was closed - no particular reason given - and it was too cold to sit in the Suntrap Garden (patio surrounded by buildings), so we had to sit in the cozy but very small main bar. The Allied Arms dates from the early 1800s and the character remains. There is a good variety of local ales on tap. No telly which is a nice change making it a 'proper pub'.

Very good unfussy pub with plenty of atmosphere. For those of you who enjoy clean sharp lines and a contemporary feel this may not appeal but for those who want a lovely cost pub that probably looks the same as it did 50 years ago this is a little gem. I appreciate a pub that is confident with what it does and is comfortable to be what it was always meant to be. A pub with an old fashioned patena with some good ale and friendly staff does it for me. It feels real and a bit knocked about but who cares...it was a lovely place to enjoy a couple of local beers.

Sadly only had time for one, but will return. Superb selection of at least 8 cask beers on, friendly service and a nice "old" pub. Having been to a few others on this road, it is the only one I will go back to...

Review title says it all. Be nice if the drinks were a bit cheaper, but they do have a good selection.

Siamo stati qui diverse volte per un drink veloce, birra o vino o altro, e ci siamo sempre trovati bene. Per me prezzi in linea con la zona. Merita la sosta, ha anche ampi spazi esterni nel giardino sul retro.

Have been to the Allied Arms a couple of times recently for drinks before dinner and both times I have been shocked at the prices of the drinks. Almost £15 for a pint of cider and 2 small bottles of beer (the IPA ran out and the barman offered 2 bottles instead, without first warning of the price). Enclosed outside terrace is ok if you don't mind the smokers. All in all this is not worth the excessive drinks premium.

Popped into Allied Arms for a quick pint. Friendly staff, cozy atmosphere and a great pint! Enjoyed chatting with some of the regulars.

He de ser ir a este lugar por más de 12 años, y la belleza es que han logrado mantener un ambiente "locales" en el centro de la ciudad. Ciertamente no es el lugar más barato para beber, pero sin duda tiene el mejor carácter de la ciudad.

It's not cheap but we like it - a lot. Pretty decent types drink there which is important - for some of us.

Took a long time to get served. Range of beers was ok but limited. Nice interior, small and cosy. Ok for a quick pint.

Very traditional looking, good range of beers. Out of place in the centre of reading as surrounded by a lot of modern or mid-seventies boxes, shame, but that's not the pub's fault, it the fault of the town planners. Worth going to for a pint.

Me encanta el jardín de la cerveza de los brazos de los Aliados. Desde la carretera que no tienen idea de lo grande que es. Agradable poco escapar del bullicio del centro de Reading. La cerveza y el personal son generalmente amable, aunque un poco lento.

Went for a quick drink with a friend here as neither of us had ever been but have passed many times. Although a lovely, quirky little pub the staff were very slow at serving and the lady that I assume was the owner was incredibly brash to the staff and other customers. I would come back but perhaps only if I was eating near by and didn't want to walk far

In Reading for work a week, I was every day to Allied Pub for an typical English Ale before dinner.The beer was very good and so does the environment, typical of an old and traditional English pub.To visit!

very very rude staff/management, food not a good standard for the price we paid,cutlerry unclean, toilets disgusting. made a comment about issues which told will mention it to manager, The manager didnt even come over and say sorry. Will not visit again, plenty of nicer pubs close by. AVOID Allied Arms Reading