Reading fun.. out of the library!

February 10, 2011 2:44 PM

How to have fun in Reading, UK?

I'm an 18 y/o male who recently moved from NZ to Reading, UK. I'm working (and living) in a place where I am at least 10 years younger than everyone else.

So I'm just wondering if there are any especially good places in Reading to have fun + meet people, mainly looking for bars and clubs to check out, as well as other places known only to locals.

Thanks in advance!

posted by midnightbarber to Human Relations (12 answers total)

The Purple Turtle.
posted by dougrayrankin at 3:30 PM on February 10, 2011

London.

Not being entirely facetious - I know people from in/around Reading who spend most weekends out of Reading. It's fine for pubs and hanging out in mates' living rooms but bars and clubs not so much.
posted by turkeyphant at 3:30 PM on February 10, 2011 [2 favorites]

If you can wait until August, there's the Reading Festival.
posted by vickyverky at 4:36 PM on February 10, 2011

There's a large university in Reading, so I imagine one would find bars and clubs near it with people your age.
posted by iamscott at 4:44 PM on February 10, 2011 [1 favorite]

+1 for The Purple Turtle although I've not been there for a looo-oong time now...
posted by dmt at 2:42 AM on February 11, 2011

If you're of a geeky slant, Great Expectations is a fun pub to explore at least once. Food's great too.
posted by Gordafarin at 3:09 AM on February 11, 2011

Plus one for London - it's not far to London. Come to London.
posted by Ted Maul at 3:12 AM on February 11, 2011

Response by poster: fire&wings: yeah leaving isn't really an option, have thought about it though =]

Ted Maul: been to london as well but its a bit of a trek
posted by midnightbarber at 3:47 AM on February 11, 2011

Take the train if getting into London is a pain. There are regular services to both Paddington and Waterloo.
posted by dougrayrankin at 5:09 AM on February 11, 2011

I spent half a year in Reading, and I too went into London as often as possible (even staying late sometimes -- mind the last train time!).

But if you are asking about things to do in town, we never got too far from the pubs near campus.*shrug* A few times we went closer to the city center, but it wasn't worth it for what we found there. Moind you, we had a lovely picnic by the river one day, but I don't think that's what you're after.
posted by wenestvedt at 6:13 AM on February 11, 2011

Pretty predictable and cheesy but have you tried the Walkabout bar in Reading? A friend of mine worked there for years and met and became very friendly with loads of Kiwis and Aussies, it's kind of a magnet. She worked & lived there which might be a step too far for you but if you want to find people your own age from a similar background who are up for having fun it would be worth a go.
posted by cmarie at 5:07 AM on February 15, 2011

No matter where it is, every Walkabout is hell on earth. I image the Reading one might even be worse than usual.
posted by turkeyphant at 5:47 AM on February 15, 2011