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Varsity
Friar Street, RG1 1DB
Reviewed On: 22 Sep 2005
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Public Houses in Reading
Berkshire, England.
   
Rose and Thistle
Previous Names:
Argyle Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 7YL
0.76 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:Greene King Abbot Ale
Gray Gulped:Greene King Abbot Ale
Garden / Facilities:Patio style doors lead out to an enclosed walled garden at the rear. Too dark to see it on this autumn evening.

ORIGINAL REVIEW:
10 November 2004

I could tell this was a good pub because I immediately felt like staying there all night and would have been very happy to. Ok, ok, so most pubs have that effect on me, but it was especially that way in the Rose and Thistle. The place was busy for an early Wednesday evening - the guy behind the bar seemed rushed off his feet fending off beer seekers from all directions - but was keen to do his job. Above the bar it mentions a warm welcome to one and all - and that's a good summary of the place. It all felt very cosy, welcoming, and the ideal place to relax at the end of the day with a good quality pint in pleasant surroundings. The place is all lovely feeling warm colours, there's the odd exposed beam and some good seating in corners around the pub. There was a wide mix of people and they seemed like a good bunch. The pub is rumoured to have a good garden - perhaps a good excuse to visit again in the summer. With another non Greene King real ale available it would probably have secured a four out of five from me. G.
Oh I say, what a pleasant little pub! Indeed on the beer though, it needs a little selection of a couple of interesting guest beers and life would be great. It all had a nice feel to it and well presented and looked after surroundings. We sat in a nice little raised seating area that was tucked away nicely with a little open hatch looking through a wall. Oh, it was a nice place to sit a while away the hours. Though I think we stayed for about 30 minutes. There was also a pool table at the back so they hadn't forgotten what some people like to do when they go to a pub. One of the ‘nice’ Greene King pubs and a good example as well. I'll come back and bring the lady I think. S.

BEER EXPERIENCE

Abbot ale and Greene King IPA were the cask ales available - it would have been nice to have a guest ale on the go as well, but I couldn't see a sign of one. Ruddles was also there though and a wide selection of other standard lagers, etc. The Abbot ale was just the job though - no mucking about - fresh out of the cask just as you'd expect it to be with that distinctive bittery tastiness. Mines another please. Please? G.
No chance, we've got more pubs to go to! S.

VISITOR FEEDBACK [Give Your Feedback]

"Hey Sue...How did the remodeling turn out? (Hub and I were there in May just as you were getting ready to start) Did the signed money from all over get a start? I would like to know how to get some of your spearmint sauce for my lamb here in the USA. We really enjoyed you, the scotch, and the Guinness. Would love to hear from you."
(Rated 10 out of 10)
Dawn Mansfield visited in January 2006

Average Visitor Score: 10.00 out of 10

NEIGHBOURING PUBS

The following pubs are within stumbling distance of this establishment:

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

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