Broad Street Tavern, 29 Broad Street, WOKINGHAM, RG40 1AU [Map]
0118 977 3706 
11-23 MO-SA; 12-15, 19-22:30 SU
Beer Garden, Lunchtime Meals, Rail Station Near Pub

The Broad Street Tavern, September 2001

I was horrified to discover that prices of decent real ales in this part of Berkshire were up to and over twice the price of equivalent brews in the West Midlands. Unfortunately my move from the Midlands to the Wokingham and Bracknell area in 2001 has made me realise the north/south or rather middle/south divide in bar prices. Fortunately, however, although Wokingham is one of the most expensive places to reside in the UK (there's little that is special about the place) the Broad Street Tavern I was pleased to see offered a wide range of top quality real ales at very reasonable prices for the area. I've only visited the pub during the evening at weekends - it's certainly a lively place, yet the bar staff seem to remain calm and there are smaller rooms towards the front where the atmosphere is a little less hectic and the air smoke free. A mainly young and certainly not exclusively young clientele, the bar area is certainly busy at weekends and the air filled with loud music. In the summer months you can always escape to the fresher air of the outside drinking area at the rear of the pub.

Apparently the building used to house a wine bar but is now clearly one of the most popular pubs in the town. Certainly a smart appearance from the outside and the Cask Marque plaque rightfully indicating that the real ale is of a high quality. A good range of ales is available from Wadworths and several guest brews on handpump and tapped directly from the cask. They also host beer festivals at various points in the year and were voted Pub of the Year by the local CAMRA branch.

Finally I'd better mention that food is available only at lunchtimes.