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:
Nags Head
Russell St, RG1 7XD
Reviewed On: 11 Jul 2007
Review >>

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

Public Houses in Reading
Berkshire, England.
   
Rising Sun
Previous Names:
Forbury Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 1SB
0.19 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:Brakspear Bitter
Gray Gulped:Brakspear Bitter
Garden / Facilities:No outdoors - but plenty of interesting stuff indoors including a dance floor and a rhino.

ORIGINAL REVIEW:
4 August 2004

Crazy town centre pub that certainly scores high for its uniqueness. Where else in Reading can you find a Rhino bursting through the wall of the pub? The whole place has a great grunge like atmosphere, dark, red, and plenty of nice touches such as comic pages for wallpaper. The DJ area is a boat - but the place is better known for it's live music. The night after our visit a couple of bands were kicking off their tour in the venue. We were given a quick rundown to encourage us to come back and even a glipse of the new lighting for the small dance floor / stage in the corner of the pub. It would have been good to return as the place had a good feel about it - a bit scruffy with a relaxed alternative scene going on. The Rising Sun rocks. G.
You might not feel immediately at home in this place but it is like a small theme park which is very novel and will keep the little ankle biters amused (though they are probably not allowed in). The Rhino is pretty cool and the whole effect is really worth seeing so pop in and have a good look around and if you are feeling cheeky go and sit in the boat - it's great fun. If you are lucky the friendly staff will be wandering around and will also tell you about the latest lighting technology they have installed or a update on the bands they are about to have in. This place is a must see for everyone (at least once) and if the venue suits your personal tastes (proper studenty and grungy) you will no doubt love it. S.

BEER EXPERIENCE

The Brakspear was a fruity little number - much better than the same pint served up in the Barracuda bar in Friar Street. Not much beer selection though. G.
It didn't even seem to be the same beer as in the Barracuda although it has the same name. S.

VISITOR FEEDBACK [Give Your Feedback]

"Greetings from Norman, Oklahoma, USA. myself, Bob and Rog were frequent visitors of most pubs in Reading between 1991 and 2005. We are from the University and were known as the 3 Doctors. Friday, having sampled the ware of a number of pubs, around 9pm we would stumble into "the Sun", buy the DJ and bar staff a beer and then headbang until 2am. Many, many good memories of this super pub. Compared to Reading, Norman, Oklahoma is a pub and beer desert, most beers are only 3.2% !! When I get a trip back you can be sure I will be hitting Reading hard."
(Rated 9 out of 10)
Professor Paul A Lawson visited in December 2008

"My grandfather used to own this pub back in the 1900s, Charles Brown. If there are any photos or references, I would love to know. Thanks. Next time I am down from Yorkshire, I will come in & have a beer."
(Rated 10 out of 10)
Pam Smith visited in December 2005

"This is my favorite pub, the music rocks, the bar staff are great, and its open until 2am on the weekends! Rock On."
Rich visited in February 2004

Average Visitor Score: 9.50 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?
No
Real Ale Pub?
No
Pub Games?
No

Rising Sun Pub (Reading, Berkshire)
Picture 1 >>
[Feedback] (Give us your feedback on this pub)