8 Best Beer Bars near Reading

“Great food. Personal is very polite, service is great“

“Court has been great. a very relaxed environment , good laughs and fun times!“

“❤️the place that started it all!“

“This summer I had the privilege of bringing my mom to Pennsylvania from overseas for the very first time. Since I'm still fairly new to the area myself, I wanted to introduce her to some of the places that make this region so special. One recommendation that kept coming up was The Ugly Oyster, not only for its food, but for its incredible history.

From the moment we walked through the doors, we were welcomed with genuine warmth. Our server, Norie, was absolutely wonderful. She was attentive, kind, and one of those rare people who makes you feel like she's genuinely happy to see you. It's not every day that you meet people in hospitality who are so passionate about what they do, and that made our visit feel incredibly personal. Before we left, we couldn't resist asking Norie to jump into a photo with us. That probably says more about how welcome she made us feel than anything else I could write.

We also had the pleasure of meeting Kayla, the owner, who took the time to share the story behind The Ugly Oyster and its remarkable history. Learning that the pub was originally shipped from Ireland and carefully preserved made the experience so much more meaningful. Coming from a family with deep European roots, we genuinely appreciated hearing the story behind the building and the care that has gone into preserving such a unique piece of history. It transformed our visit into something much more memorable than simply going out for lunch.

What impressed me most was the respect shown for this landmark. Anyone can own a restaurant, but it takes a special kind of person to become a steward of a historic building. Rather than stripping away its character, it's clear that every effort has been made to preserve what makes this place so unique while ensuring it can continue to be enjoyed for generations to come. That level of care deserves recognition, and Kayla's passion for sharing the building's story is something every visitor should experience.

Our food and drinks arrived quickly, but what stood out even more was the quality. Everything we ordered was fresh, beautifully prepared, and thoroughly enjoyed. The atmosphere was warm, welcoming, authentically Irish, and there was an unmistakable sense of pride throughout the entire establishment. It felt like a place where everyone genuinely cared, not only about the food they were serving, but about the experience they were creating for every guest who walked through the door.

Out of everything we did during my mom's trip, The Ugly Oyster became one of her favorite memories. We talked about it for days afterward. Unfortunately, time didn't allow us to return before she flew home, but we've already decided that when she comes back to Pennsylvania, The Ugly Oyster will be the very first place we visit.

If you're looking for more than just a meal, if you're looking for history, character, genuine hospitality, and people who truly care about what they do, I can't recommend The Ugly Oyster highly enough. Places like this are becoming increasingly rare. The passion, pride, and genuine care shown by Kayla and her team made our visit unforgettable. We left with full stomachs, a genuine appreciation for people who pour their hearts into what they do, and memories my mom still talks about. We cannot wait to return.“

“Excellent gluten free selection, almost the entire menu can be gluten free which is impressive. They also have impossible burgers at no upcharge for vegetarians. Cider on draft as well. The nachos and gf pizza were fantastic. Friendly and helpful service, dog friendly patio. Easy parking. We'd be back regularly if we lived nearby.“

“Food and service was excellent. A bit pricy but plenty. Was my birthday and they put even a candle on my cake. Waitress was very nice and friendly. No complains at all.“

“Came here for a late night beer after a long night and was greeted by a wonderful bartender raymon best service ever!!!“

“This is the second time my family went there. We drove over 2 hours to get there because we loved it so much the first time. Wednesday's half price games are a really good value. We had a blast. The facilities are clean and there are specials during the week. So far we've only gone on Wednesdays but it was well worth it. Thank you for a great time!“