Thirsty Bear Bar & Pizza Restaurant in Reading

We love going to the Thirsty Bear. They have some of the best pizzas I’ve ever had. The calzone is amazing and I highly recommend the gluten-free pizzas as well.

We did the bottomless Monday deal and to be honest I struggled with 2 slices as they are so big! Staff were helpful for our large booking

The best Italian pizzeria in Reading. Clean restaurant. Lovely stuff 😊. No parking. You can watch football!!

Used to go here when it was The Wynford so we decided to pay a visit as a trip down memory lane. It was really nice. The staff were really friendly and chatty. The food was great too. A good selection of pizza

Food and staff were very good, just very loud in the restaurant

Nice little sports pub / pizzeria on a decent little street in the King's Rd. My only issue is, 25 quid for a margarita pizza ... it wasn't one of those nice ones either, I couldn't really distinguish what was cheese and what was tomato sauce because it had all melted into each other. Not the worst pizza I've ever had but for the money, I think I'd have preferred a nice neopolitan with a sprinkling of cheese and a bit of basil instead of this mountain of melted parmesan / cheddar and whatever else they'd thrown in. Too heavy for my liking but im sure there will be some people who disagree, all in all I'd give it a 5.4

Really great time! Fantastic pizzas!

This place is such a hidden gem. Staff went above and beyond to make our (annoyingly) specific order. It has lovely vibe with a cosy rooftop terrace to enjoy an ice cold pint and delicious giant pizza slices. I cannot recommend this place enough!

I went here with my wife after she recommended it and I was disappointed. Whilst the service and atmosphere was great, the food left a lot to be desired. I ordered Nachos as a starter to share with my wife and all I could taste was vinegar. The salsa was far too bitter and guacamole didn't taste of avocados at all. The guacamole had the consistency of baby sick. My wife had Penne Arrabiata and I had Penne al salmone. We both found our respective dishes to be lacking in flavour.

Fast service and friendly smiles.

My favourite go-to pub and pizza place in Reading! The big apple & Soho are the best! Highly recommend!

Very delicious pizza and spaghetti found here

Hands down one of best pizzas iv have the smell of it alone warrants a 5star🙌👌

Been a few times and is a mixed bag. First time I had some of the best pizza ever. Place was full with a great atmosphere for evening drinks. Returned a week later for lunch when it was more quiet and the pizza was terrible. We did voice our dissatisfaction with the waitress but think she took offence instead of trying to resolve but maybe she was having a bad day, which we all have. Would return and just hope it was a one off!

If you're willing to walk a little out of town this place is incredible! Our party of three had a phenomenal experience at The Thirsty Bear, the beer was great, the music playlist was brilliant, the staff were so lovely and the food.. just wow, you might think that it's a little pricey for a slice of pizza but the slices are huge and the quality made it more than worth the price. My favourite thing would definitely have to be the Jalapeno Poppers. We will definitely be booking in again.

A bustling, lively eatery with a chic urban design

Pub with tasty big pizzas. Nice variety of pizza choices. I would go again

Great value! I went on Monday and did the all you can eat for £12. I could only muster 4 slices because the slices were so big, but that worked out at £3 per slice. Great menu! A thoughtful menu with so many choices. Something for everyone. "Union Square" won it for me. Quality food! Best pizza I've had in years. Dave Portnoy would love this place. Will defo be coming back and telling everyone they should go.

We went to The Thirsty Bear to celebrate our friend for making it through a tough year. The table was booked for 6.30 so it wasn't particularly busy. We were served by a young, friendly and efficient waitress. The waitress was 5⭐. The generous 2 star rating relates to the manager on duty. Our visit was spoiled by an overbearing manager who publicly reprimanded the waitress for spending too long at our table even though the pub wasn't busy. We felt embarrassed for her and wanted to give the manager feedback regarding his management but decided against this for the waitress's wellbeing. Sadly, we will not be returning there in the near future.

The staff are extremely friendly and very accommodating. The food is excellent, reasonably priced and portions are huge! I’ve never had a bad experience and won’t go anywhere else in Reading for pizza! Highly reccomend for any occasion as you’re guaranteed to leave satisfied and with a smile on your face.

The pizza was delicious and the system where you can order by a slice or two it’s great, giving you the option to taste at least 2 types of pizza. The arancini not great and they come in tiny bites which I wasn’t expecting and they don’t seem to have rice in or anyway not the correct rice, so for me personally not great at all so definitely won’t have it again, but the pizza is really good so definitely will go back for that. Staff were really nice and friendly and a nice atmosphere generally in the pub.

Much more a restaurant than a pub. Good atmosphere though nice wine list.

The service from staff was excellent The quality of food was excellent Would totally recommend Thirsty Bear to anyone

The food was really good. We tried the 20-inch pizza, and it was enough for 3 people 😆. However, I didn't really enjoy my carbonara pasta that much, and I think it could be better. I think there was also a new staff who wasn't that confident and forgot to put in one of our orders and we had to wait after our food came, but they gave use discount so it was quite fair. It was totally a nice visit and recommended for the large pizzas.

Visited here from Bournemouth, all staff are friendly & welcoming 😊 delicious pizza and would definitely recommend. I will return ✅

Lovely food Good service Friendly staff

Best place in Reading for pizza! I keep going and it never disappoints. The Brooklyn pizza is the best by far.

Excellent place and very friendly staff also very helpful shall be returning again soon, very nice and warm atmosphere highly recommend and reasonably priced especially for what you get. Especially thanks to Max who went above beyond his job.

Pizza crust is great, everything else is variable.

Smalls was the most friendly door staff I’ve met - And Brady served me a lovely pint. Highly recommended.

Good sized pizza and decent prices for drinks.

Great pub with a great atmosphere and friendly staff who make you welcome.

Great food but such a shame the manager was awful. Shouting at our group as a couple of people didn’t turn up, the table was given to someone else anyway! Really intimidating , I’m disgusted. Waitress on the other hand was absolutely lovely so it’s a shame the manager let the team down.

I run a book club on a weeknight, and the Thirsty Bear has always looked after us. A nice big table, table service, and an easy indivualised bill.

Love the pizza and bits and the atmosphere is great. Always nice to have a pub in Reading that is dog friendly .

Great pizzas and drinks. This place is great for a more relaxed catch up with mates. Also great if you are into sports. We got the 20 inch pizza, the slices are huge. You can also do half and half.

Great pizzas! I would recommend it to all in Reading. The price point is also good.

Went for a friend's birthday meal and we ended up in the upstairs room. We were the only guests up there and with a private bar the atmosphere was great. My pizza was fantastic too.

My family and I recently discovered Thirsty Bear Pub and Pizza, and it has quickly become our go-to spot whenever we're craving pizza! The variety on their menu is fantastic, offering a wide selection of pizzas that cater to both vegetarian and non-vegetarian tastes. As a vegetarian, I was thrilled to see plenty of creative options that didn’t make me feel limited. For those who enjoy meat, there’s an even broader range of choices that my friends highly recommend. The pizza here is always fresh, flavorful, and made with quality ingredients. The crust is just the right balance of crispy and soft, and the toppings are generous without overpowering the base. To top it off, Thirsty Bear also has an impressive range of drinks, perfect for pairing with the meal. Whether you’re a fan of craft beer or prefer non-alcoholic options, there’s something for everyone. Prices are affordable, making it a great spot for both quick bites and relaxed gatherings. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, ideal for spending time with friends or family. Thirsty Bear Pub and Pizza has truly become our favorite pizza destination, and I’d highly recommend it to anyone

Totally amazed by the pizza's here! I love the hells kitchen, it has the perfect balance of fresh vegetables with sausage and jalapeño peppers. The Union Square is also a winner 🏆. The dough is fantastic. We ordered the extra large and it did not disappoint 🙌 Staff are fantastic and the atmosphere is perfect.

Beware pizza in Reading. No contest. Wonderful staff and yeah..banging pizza

All you can eat pizza on Mondays is amazing!

The pizzas are amazing, super tasty and excellent value for money. The sides are also very nice and I would recommend the hot chicken wings.

We reserved upstairs for my 50th birthday party. The space is very versatile, they allow you to decorate yourself. We paid a reasonable amount for very tasty party sized pizzas.

The best pizza by far in Reading. Have been going there for years and it never misses. The Margherita pizza is insanely good would 100% recommend to everybody

The service was quick the food was fantastic will be going here again

I think this is a lovely pub. I come here to watch football. The pizza is great if you like NY style slices. The manager is great and most of the staff are really friendly.

Best pizza in town by far. Props to the chefs and waiting staff for being so professional and polite.

The pizza was great. The coat of the chicken wing was a bit thick. Price was low.

Great collection pizza, absolutely huge, enough for 3-4 people, which was 18 inches. Fresh dough, good times, perhaps a little on the salty side, but it was loaded with meat & not thatnoticeable until i had some for breakfast. 🍕 🍕 🍕 🍕 🍕 🍕 🍕

We went there for a birthday. The hosts had booked the upper room, and we were served a buffet of pizzas. The pizzas are more on the American than on the Italian side, so if you're after something light, that is not it, but I tasted 3 different ones, and they were all excellent.

Overall fun place to be but the pizza is so bad, it’s terrible and someone needs to look at the recipe. Why is it so salty. Maybe I just got a bad batch or something but yeah didn’t not enjoy that but the place is good other than that.

Great pizza at great price. Excellent customer service!

Amazing pizzas with great service. Henry and his team are amazing and always go the extra mile to make their clients happy!

We had a great time. Both the service and the food was very good. Thanks to Elvira for the fantastic service. All the other 5 star reviews are right; this is a great place.

Vino como una mesa de 6. 4 estrellas principalmente por la comida. Esas pizzas son enormes - dos de las grandes eran más que suficientes para nosotros. Las alas estaban tan calientes que causaron escozor al día siguiente. Pérdida de una estrella porque no mucha acogida y también el Guinness vertido (me dicen) fue abismal. Lo peor de Reading... ¡Recomiendo venir aquí!

This is my favorite pizza place in Reading. The slices are enormous and so tasty. There are good vegan and vegetarian options. The staff is very friendly too. I usually order their massive pizzas for my birthday guests and each time people are impressed by the quality.

absolutely amazing Pizzas !! great atmosphere

Ordered delivery for calzone and spicy wings, both excellent and would highly recommend. Calzone was a beast and so tasty.

Best pizza in Reading. Super cold beer and friendly staff. They added a lot of big screen TVs for the Euro Cup, and every night was packed, like most of the bars in town. The pizza still rocks, and they have a really good bartender who makes some mean cocktails. Loved our time here.

The pizza at Thirsty Bear is good but not outstanding. The menu features a variety of classic and specialty pizzas, but the execution can be inconsistent. The crust is decent. The atmosphere at Thirsty Bear is casual and laid-back. The service at Thirsty Bear is hit or miss.

Had a wonderful 30th birthday on the terrace. Staff were friendly friend and accommodating and the food was excellent. Thank you!

Compliments to the chef, I was in love with me food. And thank you Elvira you been so kind and lovely.

Among the best pizza I've tried in the world!

Amazing!!! The Thirsty Bear has the best pizza I've had in the UK! The atmosphere is great, and the staff is nice and helpful. As an Italian, I feel lucky to have discovered this gem.

Really friendly staff that greeted us and sat us down, service was quick The pizza was delicious, and it was a great recommendation from our waitress. Definitely want to try the 20" in 30 mins one day 😁😁😁

Excellent selection of pizzas available.

Always great food, drinks and service especially from Elvira!

Been here a few times. The pizzas are huge portions but theyre not cooked very consistently, and they seem to overload the toppings which doesn't help with the consistently of the cooking. The staff get a bit aggy when you try and order at the bar which is an honest mistake to make. I feel like the quality has been down the last 2 times I've been. The prices have gone up too

Ate here Wednesday night with some friends. Food was insanely good. Pizzas on point and the best buffalo sauce I’ve ever had on wings.

The best pizza I've ever had. Pizza toppings you'll have never tried or heard of but are amazing. Incredible value on Monday with all you can eat! Must try if you visit Reading.

Super Pizza and so large! Staff were friendly and helpful. Whole family enjoyed.

A quick bite to eat whilst in Reading

Henry from Thirsty Bear could not have been more attentive when we hosted a large get together in their private upstairs space! The rest of the team were awesome as well and nothing was too much trouble. And the pizza...well you have to try it!! Delicious🍕👏😋 Thanks Thirsty Bear team!

Lovely staff and pizza was very nice!

Great place to get pizza in the Reading area.

Nice pub with good pizza if you're hungry.

The place are well- decorated, the bathroom is clean for a pub. Great service, funny and quick! We tried the fried mushrooms, well seasoned and fried, juicy! Yet the pizza is so-so, we tried soho and meat district, soho is tasteless and meat district is too savory. I wonder did i order the correct thing for myself......

This place slaps so hard it's kind of ridiculous. The absolute best pizza available in Reading, and probably anywhere nearby. Please trust me, I've eaten a LOT of pizzas in my time. Portion sizes are gargantuan, one slice will fill a small human. I've dined in with a group of 14 and had a phenomenal time - we were offered the upstairs function area and the experience was beyond 5 stars. I've had delivery and been massively impressed with the food when it arrived. Last night I collected takeaway and had a chat with the manager (owner?) while waiting. This place really cares about delivering a high quality food experience and they completely achieve it. If you think this sounds too good to be true, I implore you to go and give it a try, I've never known anyone be disappointed.

Had the absolute best time celebrating my birthday at the thirsty bear in their upstairs area. The venue is ideal, spacious, plenty of facilities including screen, speakers, private bar, toilets and balcony. It’s near enough to the train station, car parks etc.. making a versatile option for people wanting to drink vs drive in. The food was incredible and well presented and the drink options were great. The Bar manager was amazing and really helped to make our night. Would highly recommend for events.

Had the absolute best time celebrating my birthday at the thirsty bear in their upstairs area. The venue is ideal, spacious, plenty of facilities including screen, speakers, private bar, toilets and balcony. It’s near enough to the train station, car parks etc.. making a versatile option for people wanting to drink vs drive in. The food was incredible and well presented and the drink options were great. The Bar manager was amazing and really helped to make our night. Would highly recommend for events.

Great pizza, slightly awkward service though. I understand it was busy but the server was quite cold.

Good choice on the menu and love their starter platters. The pizzas are wonderful

Amazing food, toilets were filthy though.and table service could do with some work. Bar men very friendly hats off to him!

Amazing pizza, every single time. Love it.

Delicious food with huge portions!

2nd visit and both were brilliant. Best pizza I’ve had in the UK.

Really good pizza, great service and nice atmosphere. The service staff deserve a massive shout out for checking in on us regularly even while being quite busy when we went. The pizzas are big and taste really nice.

This place is kind of popular, opt to reserve. The pizzas were good.

Excellent place to go. Best pizza I have ever eaten and terrific value

Love the Bear. Always make a point of getting pizza and a pint when Im over.

Dog friendly🐕A***,great service by the staff,pizza huge and delicious got leftovers for breakfast.Will definitely be back

The venue is very well presented, and gives a nice atmosphere. The food is excellent, and portion sizes are great, especially in relation to the cost, which was incredibly afforable. The serving staff are incredibly friendly, and provide great service - especially Chaimae and Elvine who were brilliant whilst serving oujr large group. 10/10 - will be going again!

Had to write a review after my second order because honestly, their pizza is bloody amazing. First tried it takeaway, then ordered on Deliveroo, and both times it was phenomenal. Like, seriously, the best pizza I've ever had, hands down. My absolute fave is the Hell's Kitchen pizza. It's got a kick, but nothing that'll make you cry (unless you're that way inclined, of course!). Honestly, can't recommend Thirsty Bear enough. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Excellent find. Pizzas were amazing, staff were very friendly. Overall a lovely experience and we're planning on coming back soon.

We work close to Thirsty Bear and decided to head there for a few beers after work. Sport on TV, great music, and good selection of beers would of been good enough. Elvira and Chaimae were awesome - really attentive, and enjoyed a bit of banter with the group! Made us feel really welcome. Spot on evening! Thank you Thirsty Bear.

First visit. Amazing! Our group of nine really enjoyed the whole evening. The pizzas are brilliant. We tried four different toppings, all very good. Staff were spot on. Good atmosphere. Definitely going back.

The food is amazing but the added American-style service charge really bothers me I won't be going here again.

Love it! Very friendly staff, amazing pizza and great atmosphere! Definitely be going back.

If I could give more stars then I would. I had such a lovely evening here with my mother, who is also in a wheelchair. The team were extremely accommodating and friendly. The food and drinks were delicious too! Thank you for a wonderful Friday evening!