I had been here several years ago and wanted to take my now adult children who enjoy microbrews and international beers. Â The beer selection was limited. The cooler with bottles was just about empty. Â We went to the room I the back and felt like we were unwanted guests in someone's home. Â My husband asked if they served any food, the answer was no. Â However there were 2 people who kept going to a fridge in a kitchen in the back and brought out cheese and chips and salsa that the "regulars" were eating at the bar. Â Some guy came in the back door in pajama pants and slippers and set a few grocery bags down in a chair near us and went and joined the people at the bar. Â It seemed like maybe they all lived there. Very 'sunny in Philadelphia' like. Â A really weird place with a bad vibe.
Review Source:This place is wonderful. Yeah whatever, it's in Reading. They have a sign reading "Non-Phillies fans please use 13th street entrance" on the door. I don't think there is a 13th street entrance. Either way, once inside, you'll find an old dive filled with nothing but heart. That's what I get when I come here. The people are genuine. The beer is a decent selection, and it's all cheaper than most places in the area. Anchor Christmas for $3. Bands play here on occasion, in the side room. You can also smoke inside, if that's your thing. The pictures on the wall have a way of reminding you what Reading was, but it doesn't make you sad it's gone, it makes you happy it happened at all - and it still kind of lives in this spot, at 12th & Robeson.
Review Source:I knew about this place when I actually lived right outside Reading but sadly I'd never been there until last weekend.
It was kind of dead, just three or four people at the bar and people stopping in to grab beer to go. It was pretty laid back, no fuss, nice and relaxing. I particularly enjoyed the picture of Michael Constantine on the wall (the dad from My Big Fat Greek Wedding). I remember hearing he lived in the area...
$2.25 Yuengling bottles, $1.50 PBR draughts (not my bag, the metal shavings make my throat bleed, but ok), and Leffe for $3 or 4. Some local brews on tap including a Slyfox IPA.
Also, the bathrooms are so tiny (really tiny) that the sink is out in the main bar area. Wash your hands or everyone will know what a dirty little monkey you are!
Reading is currently ranked fifth on the country's most dangerous mid-sized cities list (yes, it's that bad- Camden and Compton are #1 and #3). Â Supposedly, the police won't ticket you for running red lights and stop signs late at night, because if you stop, there's a fairly likely chance of getting carjacked.
Reading totally sucks. Â However, the Taproom is awesome. Â You're too scared to ever even think about going there now, but you'll be missing out. Â Several awesome taps and bottles, regularly rotated, and a great clientele. Â I have no idea where these people come from, but they certainly don't live in the city limits. Â (Ok, there is an exception. Â The locals do stop by now and then to buy cheap 40s. Â I assume the 40s were added to the otherwise high-end beer fridge as some sort of truce, in order to prevent the other customers from being murdered)
The Taproom is a holdover from when Reading didn't suck. Â The bartender is almost always the same, and his dog walks around the bar saying hello to everyone. Â All regulars are super friendly and easy to hang out with. Â Beertraveler rated this one of the top 5 "neighborhood bars" in the country. Â Go here. Â But consider bringing a gat.