Quick info
About The Butchers Arms
On Blounts Ct Rd in Reading, The Butchers Arms is a pub with a 32-dish menu and a weekly quiz night. Bring-your-own-vinyl evenings run alongside the quiz, giving regulars another reason to turn up on a set night. The Sunday Roast comes with a choice of chicken, beef, lamb, pork, or veggie, and a fish platter appears on the menu during August only. A fire is kept stoked for the room, and tables can be moved together to accommodate larger groups. Outdoor seating extends the space for those who want to eat outside, and a step-free entrance serves visitors with mobility needs. Dogs are welcome throughout. A private dining room is available for groups, and reservations are recommended given the pub opens daily. A play area gives families with young children somewhere to occupy the kids while adults linger over the roast.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingFree of charge street parking · Free parking lot · Plenty of parking
- AccessibilityHas wheelchair-accessible car park · Has wheelchair-accessible entrance · Has wheelchair-accessible seating
- Good for kidsGood for kids
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Menu & Prices
32 dishes · mains £6–16- Duck Broth And Home Made Noodles£6.95
- Spicy Chicken Quesadilla£8.95
- Garlic Bread£5.95
- Fried Brie£8.00
- Crispy Squid Bowl£6.50
- Chicken Strips£7.00
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention sunday roast, fish platter, outdoor play area and local beers.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention sunday roast, fish platter, outdoor play area and local beers.
Customer Review Summary
The Sunday roast draws the most consistent praise, with reviewers singling out the chicken and cauliflower cheese and describing a three course option covering beef, lamb, pork, chicken and veggie. Close behind, a few mention a fish platter offered seasonally in August, one reviewer calling their return visit for it the best version they'd had. Diners also point to the outdoor space, free parking, and a play area that keeps kids occupied while food is prepared. Staff are repeatedly called friendly, with one group recalling tables rearranged and a fire kept stoked for them by the fire, and another noting a chef coming to check whether they wanted something different. Against this, one reviewer reports being sworn at by an older man over how they'd parked and found the bartender unwelcoming, prompting them to leave and recommend a different pub instead. A couple of others note the pub can feel quiet on non-quiz evenings despite a good atmosphere during the weekly pub quiz.
Customer Review Summary
The Sunday roast draws the most consistent praise, with reviewers singling out the chicken and cauliflower cheese and describing a three course option covering beef, lamb, pork, chicken and veggie. Close behind, a few mention a fish platter offered seasonally in August, one reviewer calling their return visit for it the best version they'd had. Diners also point to the outdoor space, free parking, and a play area that keeps kids occupied while food is prepared. Staff are repeatedly called friendly, with one group recalling tables rearranged and a fire kept stoked for them by the fire, and another noting a chef coming to check whether they wanted something different. Against this, one reviewer reports being sworn at by an older man over how they'd parked and found the bartender unwelcoming, prompting them to leave and recommend a different pub instead. A couple of others note the pub can feel quiet on non-quiz evenings despite a good atmosphere during the weekly pub quiz.
Featured reviews
- Joe
“great local pub, amazing outdoor space and parking. good atmosphere with pub quiz, however usually quite quiet unfortunately”
- Holly Bowker
“Had a lovely drink with some friends at the Butchers Arms this evening, Paul and Leah were very friendly and welcoming and it was great to hear their plans for food service and events over the summer, we will be back soon!”
- Nina Smith
“Lovely evening this evening here with friends, they were very accommodating and moved tables around to give us chatty mums a big space by the fire, which they kept stoked up for us, and came and had a chat and were very friendly. Look forward to visiting again soon!”
- Charlotte Dixo
“When we arrived at the pub, the outside looked really inviting and well-kept. However, our experience took a turn when we were greeted by an older man who swore at me. He was really quite unfriendly as we parked. He thought we had parked too close. The door was open and its widest and I Went through with a dog. So definitely not too close. Inside, the bartender’s lack of warmth Overall, it felt unwelcoming, and we quickly decided to leave. For a more enjoyable experience, we’d recommend the Red Lion, where the staff is always friendly and the food is great.”
- Anita Deane
“The Butchers Arms was recommended to us and it didn't disappoint, it exceeded our expectations. That evening we booked a return visit for the following week for the fish platter (we understand it's only offered during August), which turned out to be the best we had ever had! N.B. The price range given was for the first meal and drink; the second fish meal was more.”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Highlights
“Community boozer with a standard menu hosting weekly quizzes and bring-your-own-vinyl evenings.”
- Has bar games
- Has great beer selection
- Has great wine list
- Has live music
- Has live performances
- Good for watching sport
Amenities
- Has Wi-Fi
- Has wheelchair-accessible car park
- Free of charge street parking
- Accepts reservations
- Has outdoor seating
- Dogs allowed
Show more amenities
- Serves dine-in
- Good for kids
- Serves food at bar
- Casual
- Serves beer
- Serves food
- Highlights· 6
- Has bar games
- Has great beer selection
- Has great wine list
- Has live music
- Has live performances
- Good for watching sport
- Popular for· 1
- Good for solo dining
- Atmosphere· 1
- Cosy
- Offerings· 5
- Serves alcohol
- Has free water refills
- Has private dining room
- Serves spirits
- Serves wine
- Parking· 2
- Free parking lot
- Plenty of parking
- Dining options· 1
- Has table service
- Facilities· 1
- Has toilet
- Crowd· 2
- Good for groups
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Accessibility· 3
- Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Has wheelchair-accessible seating
- Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Location
Bars near The Butchers Arms
- The Little Angel4.41,0783.5 mi£20–40ReservationsWheelchair accessibleOutdoor seating
sunday carvery, tuesday steak night, sticky toffee pudding
- The Alehouse4.59664.5 mi
big real ale selection, cozy back nooks, beer pump clip decor
- Heron on the Ford4.51,0715.6 mi awayWheelchair accessible
extensive food menu, large car park, location near the ford
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Butchers ArmsReservations · Good for kids | 4.4322 | — | £10–20 | sunday roast, fish platter, outdoor play area |
| The Little AngelReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.41,078 | 3.5 mi | £20–40 | sunday carvery, tuesday steak night, sticky toffee pudding |
| The Alehouse | 4.5966 | 4.5 mi | — | big real ale selection, cozy back nooks, beer pump clip decor |
| Heron on the FordWheelchair accessible | 4.51,071 | 5.6 mi away | — | extensive food menu, large car park, location near the ford |
The 3 nearest bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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