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Reading · 32 venues · 16 with a PA

Grassroots Venues in Reading

Every grassroots room in Reading - capacity, backline, who books it.

By size: 7 small (under 150), 5 mid-size (150 to 499), 3 large (500+), 17 with no size listed. 28 of the 30 open rooms are verified (2 marked closed). 1 with full backline, 2 with a sound engineer.

Nearby

Updated 12 November 2026

At a glance
Reading
32
Grassroots
venues
in Reading
In detail
House PA16 venues
Full backline1 venue
In-house engineer2 venues
Venue Score59 /100
01 — Find a venue
32 rooms
Pick your room
Size
Kit
Hire
City
Sort
02 — The scene
Venue Score
59
Out of
100
Solid — healthy coverage, building on genres. A dependable circuit for touring acts.
How it adds up (0-100)
Choice80
Coverage100
Backline3
PA50
Engineer6
Genres100
03 — Rooms + kit
Live data
What Reading has
By size
Small under 1507 47%
Medium 150-4995 33%
Large 500+3 20%
Size not listed17

Rooms with no size listed show under every size in 01.

Kit
Bring your own16 50%
PA only15 47%
Full backline1 3%
This month
Added3
Removed0
Verified3
Re-verified0
04 — More of Reading
Beyond the rooms
Gigs, mics + hire
Go next
Featured venueEnglefield HouseReading · 600 cap
Reading gigsWhat's on at these rooms, by date
What's on this weekEvery gig over the next seven days
Reading open micsWeekly stage time, re-checked on a rolling cycle
Reading music sceneVenues, rates, guides and gigs
Private hire

9 Reading venues say on their own websites that they take private hire - parties, weddings and work events. Each card opens the venue’s rooms, capacities and how to enquire.

05 — Other cities
90 cities
Venues elsewhere
All cities, A–ZVenues
Live music on stage: a band under the lights
Reading Venues

Grassroots Venues in Reading

32 grassroots music venues across Reading. Capacity, backline, genres, booking info. Re-verified on a rolling cycle.

59/ 100
Reading Venue Score
SolidHealthy coverage, building on genres. A dependable circuit for touring acts.
Choice80
Coverage100
Backline3
PA50
Engineer6
Genres100
Run a Reading venue? Claim your page free — keep specs current

Last updated: 12 November 2026

32 Venues in Reading

Reading has 32 grassroots music venues listed on GigXchange, from a 40-capacity room to 600. Listings show the capacity, backline and PA where we hold them, plus opening times, so artists, agents and bookers can shortlist the right room before getting in touch.

Of the 32 Reading venues, 16 provide a PA system, 1 offers full backline and 2 include an in-house sound engineer. See what these rooms have on over the next four weeks. Sign up free to view booking contacts and fee ranges.

32
grassroots venues hosting live music in Reading
  • 16 provide a PA system · 1 offer full backline
  • 2 have an in-house sound engineer included
  • Booking contact, fee range and submission process available to signed-up artists
32
Venues
16
With PA
1
Full backline
2
In-house engineer
Last updated

What’s on in Reading this week — or see what’s on across the UK.

Browse Reading Venues

Search all 32 Reading music venues by area, capacity, backline, PA, sound engineer or private hire. Every card shows the room size, what is on stage and the opening times we hold, and opens the venue’s own page with its booking information.

Showing 24 of 32 venues
Photo: Google
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ACE Space Newbury
Newbury★★★★★ (—)
Volunteer-run Newbury arts centre with a monthly live folk and music programme.No gigs listed yet
Private hire
  • PA system
  • Drum kit
  • Guitar amp
  • Bass amp
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • Mon09:00–23:00
  • Tue09:00–23:00
  • Wed09:00–23:00
  • Thu09:00–23:00
  • Fri09:00–23:00
  • Sat09:00–23:00
  • Sun09:00–23:00
View venue›
Photo: Google
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Bier Keller
Bracknell★★★★★ (—)
Bavarian-themed tribute-night venue beneath the Coppid Beech Hotel, Bracknell.Next gig: Sat 14 Nov 19Eighties 80s Tribute
Private hire
  • PA system (TBC)
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • Mon18:30–23:00
  • Tue18:30–23:00
  • Wed18:30–23:00
  • Thu18:30–23:00
  • Fri18:30–00:00
  • Sat18:30–00:00
  • Sun18:30–23:00
View venue›
Photo: Google
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Corn Exchange
Newbury★★★★★ (—)
First-Sunday open mic in the Balcony Bar of Newbury's arts centreNo gigs listed yet
  • PA system
  • Drum kit
  • Guitar amp
  • Bass amp
  • Keys / keyboard
  • 2 vocal mics
  • In-house engineer
  • MonClosed
  • Tue10:00–16:00
  • Wed10:00–16:00
  • Thu10:00–16:00
  • Fri10:00–16:00
  • Sat10:00–16:00
  • Sun11:00–16:00
View venue›
c. 600
Photo: Google
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Englefield House
Reading › Englefield, near Theale★★★★★ (—)
Berkshire estate whose Heritage Live concerts were cancelled for 2026.No gigs listed yet
Private hire up to 50 seated
  • PA system (TBC)
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • Mon—
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View venue›
Photo: Google
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London Road Campus
Reading › Redlands, Reading (London Road campus)★★★★★ (—)
The Great Hall at the University of Reading's historic London Road campus — concerts and recitalsNext gig: Fri 18 Dec The Music of Harry Potter by Mystery Ensemble
  • PA system (TBC)
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • Mon—
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View venue›
Photo: Google
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Mates Rates Comedy Club
Reading★★★★★ (—)
Reading comedy club with live events.No gigs listed yet
  • PA system
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • Mon18:00–22:00
  • TueClosed
  • WedClosed
  • ThuClosed
  • FriClosed
  • SatClosed
  • SunClosed
View venue›
Photo: Google
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McCafferty's Bar
Reading › Town Centre★★★★★ (—)
Irish bar on Friar Street mixing modern bands with traditional Irish musicNo gigs listed yet
  • PA system (TBC)
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • Mon11:00–00:00
  • Tue11:00–00:00
  • Wed11:00–00:00
  • Thu11:00–00:00
  • Fri11:00–02:00
  • Sat11:00–02:00
  • Sun—
View venue›
c. 100
Photo: Google
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Oakford Social Club
Reading › City Centre★★★★★ (—)
indie and live music venue in ReadingNo gigs listed yet
  • PA system
  • Drum kit
  • Guitar amp
  • Bass amp
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • Mon12:00–00:00
  • Tue12:00–00:00
  • Wed12:00–00:00
  • Thu12:00–01:00
  • Fri12:00–02:00
  • Sat12:00–02:00
  • Sun12:00–00:00
View venue›
c. 80
Photo: Google
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Palmer Tavern
Reading★★★★★ (—)
Reading pub with live sport and music.No gigs listed yet
  • PA system
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • Mon12:00–23:00
  • Tue12:00–23:00
  • Wed12:00–23:00
  • Thu12:00–23:00
  • Fri12:00–01:00
  • Sat12:00–01:00
  • Sun12:00–23:00
View venue›
c. 100
Photo: Google
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Pangbourne Working Mens Club
Reading › Pangbourne★★★★★ (—)
Members club with live entertainment.Next gig: Sun 22 Nov BBO Big Band - In aid of Breast Cancer Now
  • PA system (TBC)
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • Mon11:00–23:00
  • Tue11:00–23:00
  • Wed11:00–23:00
  • Thu11:00–23:00
  • Fri11:00–23:45
  • Sat11:00–23:45
  • Sun12:00–22:30
View venue›
Photo: Google
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Playlist Live
Reading › Town Centre★★★★★ (—)
Request-led live music bar on Friar Street, open Friday and Saturday nightsNo gigs listed yet
  • PA system (TBC)
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • Mon—
  • Tue—
  • Wed—
  • Thu—
  • Fri18:00–01:00
  • Sat13:30–01:00
  • Sun—
View venue›
c. 400
Photo: Google
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Prospect Park Reading
Reading › Tilehurst★★★★★ (—)
Reading park for outdoor rock, pop and DJ.No gigs listed yet
  • PA system (TBC)
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • Mon—
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View venue›
c. 250
Photo: Google
Claim this venue
Purple Turtle
Reading › City Centre★★★★★ (—)
Reading's iconic late-licence music bar of 30+ years — live music weekly plus a basement club.No gigs listed yet
Private hire
  • PA system
  • Drum kit
  • Guitar amp
  • Bass amp
  • Keys / keyboard
  • 3 vocal mics
  • In-house engineer
  • Mon12:00–03:00
  • Tue12:00–03:00
  • Wed12:00–03:00
  • Thu12:00–03:00
  • Fri12:00–03:30
  • Sat12:00–03:30
  • Sun12:00–03:00
View venue›
Photo: Google
Claim this venue
Richfield Avenue
Reading★★★★★ (—)
Open-air festival site on the Thames — home of Reading FestivalNo gigs listed yet
  • PA system (TBC)
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • Mon—
  • Tue—
  • Wed—
  • Thu—
  • Fri—
  • Sat—
  • Sun—
View venue›
c. 200
Claim this venue
Shaw House
Newbury★★★★★ (—)
Grade I listed Newbury events venue.No gigs listed yet
  • PA system (TBC)
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • Mon—
  • Tue—
  • Wed—
  • Thu—
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  • Sat—
  • Sun—
View venue›
c. 210
Photo: Google
Claim this venue
South Street Arts Centre
Reading★★★★★ (—)
Reading's intimate council-run arts centre — touring music, comedy and theatre across two flexible spaces.No gigs listed yet
Private hire up to 210 standing
  • PA system
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • Mon10:00–16:00
  • Tue10:00–16:00
  • Wed10:00–16:00
  • Thu10:00–16:00
  • Fri10:00–16:00
  • SatClosed
  • SunClosed
View venue›
Photo: Google
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Spill
Reading › Caversham★★★★★ (—)
Caversham bar with a free Sunday Live Lounge from 5pm to 7pmNo gigs listed yet
  • PA system (TBC)
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • Mon09:00–21:00
  • Tue09:00–23:00
  • Wed09:00–23:00
  • Thu09:00–23:00
  • Fri09:00–23:00
  • Sat09:00–23:00
  • Sun10:00–21:00
View venue›
c. 600
Photo: Google
Claim this venue
SUB89
Reading › Reading town centre★★★★★ (—)
Friar Street club and live music venue in Reading.Next gig: Fri 4 Dec POP Punk Revolution Tour
  • PA system (TBC)
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • Mon—
  • Tue—
  • Wed—
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  • Sat—
  • Sun—
View venue›
c. 500
Photo: Google
Claim this venue
Temple Island Meadows
Henley-on-Thames › Remenham, Henley-on-Thames★★★★★ (—)
Henley meadows for outdoor rock and pop.No gigs listed yet
  • PA system (TBC)
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • Mon—
  • Tue—
  • Wed—
  • Thu—
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  • Sat—
  • Sun—
View venue›
Photo: Google
Claim this venue
The Butler
Reading★★★★★ (—)
Reading's friendly free-entry live music pub on Chatham Street.No gigs listed yet
  • PA system
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • Mon16:00–23:00
  • Tue16:00–23:00
  • Wed16:00–23:00
  • Thu12:00–23:00
  • Fri12:00–01:00
  • Sat12:00–01:00
  • Sun12:00–22:30
View venue›
c. 40
Photo: Google
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The Castle Tap
Reading★★★★★ (—)
Small Reading craft-beer pub with monthly open mic, folk and sea-shanty nights.No gigs listed yet
Private hire
  • PA system
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • Mon16:00–23:00
  • Tue16:00–23:00
  • Wed16:00–23:00
  • Thu16:00–23:00
  • Fri14:00–00:00
  • Sat12:00–00:00
  • Sun12:00–22:30
View venue›
Photo: Google
Claim this venue
The Club Bar and Lounge
Newbury★★★★★ (—)
A grassroots music venue in Newbury.No gigs listed yet
Private hire
  • PA system (TBC)
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • MonClosed
  • Tue18:00–22:30
  • Wed18:00–22:30
  • Thu18:00–22:30
  • Fri11:30–23:30
  • Sat11:30–23:30
  • Sun11:30–22:00
View venue›
c. 150
Photo: Google
Claim this venue
The Face Bar
Reading › City Centre★★★★★ (—)
150-cap rock, punk and metal bar.Next gig: Sat 6 Feb It Wasn't A Phase
Private hire
  • PA system
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • Mon12:00–02:00
  • Tue12:00–02:00
  • Wed12:00–02:00
  • Thu12:00–02:00
  • Fri12:00–04:00
  • Sat12:00–04:00
  • Sun12:00–00:00
View venue›
Photo: Google
Claim this venue
The Fisherman's Cottage
Reading★★★★★ (—)
Reading riverside pub with live events.No gigs listed yet
  • PA system
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • MonClosed
  • TueClosed
  • Wed12:00–23:00
  • Thu12:00–23:00
  • Fri12:00–00:00
  • Sat12:00–00:00
  • Sun12:00–22:00
View venue›

Venues You Can Hire in Reading

9 Reading venues say on their own websites that they take private hire - parties, weddings and work events. Each card opens the venue’s rooms, capacities and how to enquire.

Reading Venue Scene in Numbers

Reading’s 32 grassroots venues in one picture: how big the rooms are, what kit is on stage and how many take private hire. Use it to judge whether to bring your own backline and which size of room suits your draw before you start booking.

Grassroots venues · Reading
32

From the
GigXchange venue directory

Room sizeof the 15 with a known capacity
7Small · under 150
5Medium · 150–499
3Large · 500+
What's on stageall 32 venues
1Full backline
15PA only
16Bring your own gear
16provide a PA
2have an in-house engineer
9take private hire
Acoustic · Rockmost-booked genres

How many grassroots music venues are in Reading? GigXchange lists 32 grassroots music venues across Reading. 50% provide a PA system and 3% offer full backline (drums, guitar amp, bass amp, PA).

Do Reading venues provide equipment? 2 venues include an in-house sound engineer. The majority of Reading venues are small (<150 capacity). Data from GigXchange’s verified Reading venue directory.

Reading Venue FAQs

10 answers about grassroots venues in Reading, from how many there are and how big the rooms are to the kit they provide, booking a gig and listing your venue free - each answered from the venues listed here.

GigXchange lists 32 grassroots music venues in Reading, from small pub back rooms to mid-size standing rooms. Each listing includes capacity, backline provision, genres booked, and verification status. Browse the full national directory at UK Venue Directory.
1 of 32 Reading venues offer full backline (drums, guitar amp, bass amp, PA). 16 provide at least a PA system. 2 include an in-house sound engineer. Use the filters above to show only venues with backline.
9 Reading venues state on their own websites that they take private hire for parties, weddings and work events, among them Englefield House (up to 50 seated), South Street Arts Centre (up to 210 standing) and ACE Space Newbury. Each venue page has a Private hire tab with its rooms, capacities and a link to enquire with the venue directly. Use the Private hire filter above to list them all.
Of the 15 Reading venues with known capacity: 7 are small (under 150), 5 are medium (150–499), and 3 are large (500+). The majority of Reading’s grassroots scene is intimate, small-room spaces.
Sign up free on GigXchange to view booking contacts, fee ranges, and submission processes for every Reading venue. Most grassroots venues accept email submissions with a link to your music, EPK, or social profiles. Check current UK fee benchmarks before quoting.
Yes. GigXchange also runs the UK Open Mic Finder for Reading, which lists weekly open mic nights with backline, day, and fee filters. Open mics are the main pathway from bedroom to stage for most grassroots artists. See also our guide on getting gigs in the UK.
The What’s On in Reading page lists every gig we hold across these 32 venues over the next four weeks — dates, times, entry and ticket links, refreshed daily. For everything beyond that window, browse the Reading gig directory.
The most commonly booked genres across Reading’s 32 grassroots venues are acoustic, rock, folk, pop, indie. Many venues accept both original music and covers. Browse artist profiles by genre to find acts for your venue.
Fees vary by venue size and event type. The GigXchange Rate Calculator shows current percentiles for Reading by band size and venue type. Door splits are common at smaller venues; flat fees are more typical at mid-size rooms. The Musicians’ Union publishes recommended minimums.
Yes. Listing is free. If your venue is already in the directory, open its page and press Claim this venue (or create a free venue account) to self-edit your profile and manage bookings; if it is missing, email support@gigxchange.app and we will take a look. Venues with TheMusicLicence from PPL PRS can also list their music policy.
07 — Keep up with Reading
Free, weekly
One email a week. Gigs near you.

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One email a week with the gigs coming up at Reading’s grassroots venues - new nights, open mics and shows worth catching. Free to join and easy to leave, and turning up is what keeps small rooms open.

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Venues like these feed the national Hardest Working Rooms table and every UK city's scene. Browse all UK venues.

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Founder & Builder

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