The Reading Pub Conquest
   Reviewing all Reading Pubs and Bars.
  

  Mission Status
  Full Pub List
  Pubs By Category
  The Scores
  Popular Pub Reviews
  Beer Drunk
  Missing Pubs?
  Feedback
  Buy Us Beer! [New!]
  Links


Random Pub Review:
Travellers Rest
Henley Road, Caversham, RG4 5DL
Reviewed On: 21 Oct 2004
Review >>

Pub Search
Try a pub name, street, or beer to find matching Reading pubs and bars.

Public Houses in Reading
Berkshire, England.
   
Sweeney and Todd
Previous Names:
Castle Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 7ND
0.27 miles from Reading station [Map]
Final Score: 7.0 out of 10
Steve's Score:3.5 (Out of 5)
Gray's Grade:3.5 (Out of 5)
Steve Supped:Wadworth Bishop's Tipple
Gray Gulped:Wadworth Bishop's Tipple
Garden / Facilities:Nothing outside - but a take home pie counter out the front!

ORIGINAL REVIEW:
22 December 2004

I can't, the tears are in my eyes and I just can't. What a bittersweet moment this was. Maybe we'll have to do them in alphabetical order next? Or maybe it should have always been a 3 mile radius?? I think we have far from reached the true end of our MISSION. Bring it on. Someone somewhere, set us a real challenge, I'm sure we can deliver. To review the place though...Well it's not really a pub in my mind though it does have a proper pub bar and serves proper beer. The place has a really friendly and relaxed atmosphere and is a great place to come for a lovely pie but I wouldn't come just for a drink. As a restaurant it is homely and charming and it all gives exactly the right impression for what it is. So if you want a pie in an unsnobby county pub type atmos this is place for you. It could do with being a bit wider and bigger though and last time I was out the back I remember it wasn’t as homely or as pub like as the front which is the place to be. Any news on the downstairs, I’m not sure I’ve ever been down there. Also, why do the girls get three toilets and the blokes one!! This is a pie and beer place for goodness sack!!. S.
Oh yes, the final Reading pub of the mission - for now... It's been a rollercoaster ride of bad pubs, reasonable pubs, and great pubs. This place fits into the last of those. It was nice to finish was a tasty Sweeney's pie and an excellent pint of beer. This place is unique for the pie and pint combo and you can't come in here without having a pie - in fact the place was so busy on this visit you simply wouldn't be able to bag a table for drinks only. There's lots of curtained wooden booths which are the pick of the seating and a large restaurant area out the back for more pie munching. The service is kicked off by the reading out of an impossibly long list of different pies from which to take your pick and then it's off to the bar to get in a proper cask ale. There's nothing posh about this place but the pies are exactly how they should be and I can't recommend it enough. Take the pies out of the equation and you'd still have a reasonable pub with great beer. And taking about taking the pies away - well, you can from the front counter. So that's a wrap on the 2004 Reading pub mission and I'm pleased to report that Reading does suprisingly well on it's pubs - you don't have to go far to find a decent pint and a warm welcome. G.

BEER EXPERIENCE

The Bishop's Tipple was delicious and slipped down a treat inbetween mouthfuls of pie. It was quite a strong beer at 5.5% but I'd like to think I could have a few of these little numbers. There were another three cask ales on the go that included Wadworth 6X (the usual beer here), Badger Tanglefoot, and Pedigree. All in all it's superb range of well served beer - very impressive for the town centre. G.

VISITOR FEEDBACK [Give Your Feedback]

"Very nice. While not a traditional pub its still very good and the pies are tasty. 4 ales on tab along with assorted bottles. Friendly service."
(Rated 7 out of 10)
Chad visited in July 2007

"Really a great place for pies and pints as you say. Ideal for dinner time - drop in, but hard to work after all that food. Wish it was a bit wider or had a garden. Very friendly stafff."
Careen visited in June 2005

Average Visitor Score: 7.00 out of 10

NEIGHBOURING PUBS

The following pubs are within stumbling distance of this establishment:

         
Current Score:
7
Original Score:
7
Traditional Pub?
No
Party Pub?
No
Proper Food?
Yes
Real Ale Pub?
Yes
Pub Games?
No

Sweeney and Todd Pub (Reading, Berkshire)
Picture 1 >>
Picture 2 >>
[Feedback] (Give us your feedback on this pub)