The Hobgoblin

samking

The Hobgoblin 4th September 2008

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Having discovered this by accident - I was very pleased with the find. It is the smallest pub I've ever been in. It has a weird interior - all the walls and ceilings decorated with beer mats that the pub has served over the years. There are also wooden alcoves where you can sit (only a few people on a table). If there's a large group of you I wouldn't bother coming here as you would fill the pub.

The selection of ales on offer is great - and apart from the atmosphere and the strangeness of this pub (it is a good experience coming here). I would definitely pop in - it's so convenient as it's on the high street opposite the main entrance to the Oracle. Pop in for one and you'll probably end up staying for a few.

RaymondLee

28th July 2007

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I would argue that this is not the best pub in Reading. Yes, it serves real ale, yes it has no mobile phones but - the locals are a sour faced bunch who seem to make it their misson to not let you near the bar to sample the real ales! Much better you try The Horse & Jockey now it has been refurbished and taken over if you like a bar for its beer.

coldclimate at 03/09/07

Funny, I didn't find them too sour faced , though i think you have a probation period where you are eyed suspiciously and not talked to for a good while. Never visited the Horse and Jockey, but I'll give it a go.

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coldclimate

"This is not the place you are looking for" 31st March 2007

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The goblin is on a busy street corner, at the end of the high street in Reading. You'd walk right past it and never notice, but once you are inside, you might never leave. The sign behind the bar warns "this is not the bar you're looking for".

This is definatly not a bar, it's a pub, and a bloody good one too. The bar has about 10 real ales on at one time, and I think they might sell lager tooo, but I've never dared ask. The clientette are Real Ale Drinkers, with beards, big coats, and a friendly smile.

Behind the bar there are also a range of bar nibbles (chrisps and peanuts), and a row of optics (bodka, gin, whisky), and very little else. I once went in with somebody who asked for a Malibu and coke, and I was nearly lynched.

As you go form the front room (very small) there are a series of alcoves, which might sit four at a push, and then you stumble out of the back door and into... the yard. The yard is where the toilets are, and where you can see the sky above you should you wish. This is not a beer garden.

All of the walls are covered in beer tap plaques. Aparently they've served over 3000 different real ales over the years, and I can beleive it. Staring at the walls for many hours I've found two duplicates, but only two.

The staff are very friendly, especially if you beer by the pint, and don't mess about ordering wine, coke, spirits, cocktails or anything thats not beer, cider or perry (cider made from pears). They also control the stereo, which is truely brilliant. Only in here will you hear people like Hayseed Dixie (country covers of rock numbers), Tom Lehrer, and the Amateur Transplates. I love the music.

This is the best pub in Reading, kindly don't go if you think you won't like it. However if real beer, not eejits and no mobile phones sounds your thing, this is the place.