Equipment and backline available at this venue. We verify and update this section regularly.
PA system
Drum kit
Guitar amp
Bass amp
Keys / keyboard
2 vocal mics
In-house engineer
About The Retreat
The Retreat is a grassroots music venue in City Centre, Reading with a standing capacity of approximately 50. PA system and vocal mics are provided; bring your own instruments and amps.
The Retreat books Jazz, Blues, Folk acts. Both original music and covers are welcome. This listing is part of the Reading venue directory.
The Retreat is Reading's favourite backstreet pub for real-ale and live-music lovers — an unspoilt terraced Victorian former beer-house at 8 St John's Street (RG1 4EH), trading since 1875 and one of only two Reading pubs on CAMRA's Historic Pub Interiors heritage list. It's a cask-ale specialist and the city's home of jazz, blues and live music, with regular gig nights and jazz typically on the last Sunday of the month. Intimate (around 50 capacity) and community-spirited, it's open Mon-Thu 4.30-11pm and weekends from noon.
Mon
Tue
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Fri
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Nights The Retreat usually has live music
Have you played here? Was the backline info accurate? One tap, no sign-up required.
Find The Retreat
8 St John's Street, City Centre, Reading, RG1 4EH
What should you charge for a gig here? Check live UK rates by role, city and venue size. Based on 3,798 verified rate observations.
The Retreat isn’t in the Reading top 10 yet — these are the front-runners of its 5 ranked rooms,
by gigs on the calendar over the next 30 days, refreshed nightly.
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Common Questions
Seven things people ask about booking The Retreat.
PA system and vocal mics provided. BYO instruments and amps. Need a venue with full backline? Filter Reading venues by backline.
The Retreat books Jazz, Blues, Folk. Both original music and covers are welcome. Browse artist profiles by genre on GigXchange.
Sign up free on GigXchange to view The Retreat’s booking contact, fee range, and submission process. Most grassroots venues accept email submissions with a link to your music or EPK. Check current UK fee benchmarks before quoting.
The Retreat has a standing capacity of approximately 50, classed as a small venue. See all Reading venues for size comparisons.
Yes — The Retreat hosts open mic nights. Check the listing for day, time, and signup details on the Reading Open Mic Finder.
8 St John's Street, City Centre, Reading, RG1 4EH. See the map below for directions. Browse more Reading venues nearby.
Fee ranges are available to signed-up artists on GigXchange. Grassroots venue fees in Reading vary by event type, band size, and whether the deal is a flat fee or door split. The GigXchange Rate Calculator shows current UK percentiles.
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