The Castle Tap

Head down Castle Street towards the town centre and you'll find yourself in one of Reading's most reliably good pubs. The Castle Tap doesn't try to be anything it's not—it's a proper local where you can actually hear yourself think, but there's enough going on to keep things interesting. The real draw here is the beer: they take their cask and craft selections seriously, rotating taps that give you proper reasons to visit week after week. The crowd's a real mix too—students, office workers, long-time locals—all somehow sharing the same space without it feeling forced. Food's straightforward and honest, the kind of stuff that pairs well with a pint.