Top Cocktail Reception Venues in Reading
Reading may be famous for its biscuit legacy, but it’s also a cracking place to host a drinks reception.Picture stylish private rooms near Forbury Gardens, trendy bars close to the Oracle, or riverside terraces where you can sip in the sunshine. Whether you’re planning a post-meeting mingle, wedding toast, or laid-back catch-up with colleagues, you’ll find drinks reception venues here that fit just right. Grab a glass, your perfect venue is just a scroll away.
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from £250
minimum spend / per sessionCheck availabilityBasement Bar
60 guestsBe At One ReadingReading Town Centre#Supervenue
MMichelle S.
“Great communication prior to event. Mum’s 50th Birthday. Friendly staff, great venue, great drinks.” -
from £35
per person / per sessionCheck availabilityThe BIG Boom Brunch
60 guestsBoom Battle Bar ReadingReading Town CentreThe best bottomless brunch in Reading, this brunch delivers vibes for days. 90 minutes of bottomless drinks, we’re talking cocktails, fizz and draft beer & cider, a street food feast and live entertainment.
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from £500
minimum spend / per sessionCheck availabilityFull Venue Hire
160 guestsBe At One ReadingReading Town Centre#Supervenue
AAlana R.
“No issues whatsoever. Staff are lovely and good fun. Drinks are nice and also strong ! so easy to organise.” -
from £100
hire fee / per hourCheck availabilityOXBO Restaurant
200 guestsHilton ReadingReadingThere’s also a dedicated bar area, so it works especially well for events built around drinks—cocktails, wine, and a solid range of premium options.
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from £300
hire fee / per sessionCheck availabilityThe Library
30 guestsThe Roseate ReadingReading Town Centre#Supervenue
YYele O.
“The venue was really really glam and special. Staff helpful and really nice.” -
from £1500
minimum spend / per eveningCheck availabilityRooftop terrace & Bar
100 guestsMarket HouseReading Town CentreCClaire W.
“The event planning, the staff and support on the day, the fantastic food and incredible space we hired.” -
from £500
minimum spend / per eveningCheck availabilityFirefly Cellar Bar
150 guestsThe Three Guineas - Firefly Cellar BarReading Town Centre#Supervenue
HHolly L.
“Thanks for helping us host this special event, would 100% recommend and use again in future.” -
from £200
minimum spend / per eveningCheck availabilityDownstairs
100 guestsThe Cocktail Club ReadingReading Town CentreDownstairs is a semi-private lounge in The Cocktail Club Reading, characterised by a subterranean, club-style interior and low ceilings. Design: The space has dark finishes, exposed ceiling beams and patterned floor tiles,
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from £750
minimum spend / per eveningCheck availabilityMezzanine
60 guestsMarket HouseReading Town CentreCChristine A.
“Staff very friendly and helpful - great party venue being rooftop bar and nice evening. Food was excellent too” -
from £3000
hire fee / per sessionCheck availabilityEntire Venue
300 guestsZerodegrees Microbrewery Bar and RestaurantReading Town CentreFrom relaxed drinks receptions on our outdoor terrace and stylish garden booths, to private parties in our exclusive Tank Lounge with its own bar, balcony, and facilities, Zerodegrees offers a memorable experience tailored
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from £10
per person / per sessionCheck availabilityDrinks Area
20 guestsThe Cocktail Club ReadingReading Town CentreA space for social gatherings, after-work drinks, networking events, and celebrations. Located within the venue, the drinks area has easy access to the bar, useful for guests settling in for cocktails.
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from £4000
minimum spend / per sessionCheck availabilityThe Garden
200 guestsThe Rising Sun, Reading - A Heartwood InnReading Town CentreThe Garden is a semi-private outdoor seating area at The Rising Sun, Reading; its defining quality is an umbrella‑shaded courtyard that extends the pub's dining and drinking space.
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FAQs about Top Cocktail Reception Venues in Reading
Booking costs of drinks reception venues average £1000 minimum spend per event. Costs vary depending on guest capacity, popularity, location, and amenities like sound systems or bar services. Extra charges may apply for custom catering, decor, or event planning services. Packages with add-ons, such as DJs, photo booths, or other entertainment services, can also increase the overall cost. Check out the typical price ranges in Reading, based on Tagvenue data:
| From £500 | to £1542 | minimum spend per event |
| From £25 | to £45 | per person |
| From £20 | to £100 | hire fee per hour |
Based on the popularity and user ratings on Tagvenue (updated November 2026), the best options include:
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Rooftop terrace & Bar at Market House in Reading Town Centre - rated 4.9/5
Our user said: ‘Staff very friendly and helpful - great party venue being rooftop bar and nice evening. Food was excellent too...’ -
Firefly Cellar Bar at The Three Guineas - Firefly Cellar Bar in Reading Town Centre - rated 4.8/5
Our user said: ‘The venue itself was gorgeous and the perfect space for everyone of all ages.’ -
Basement Bar at Be At One Reading in Reading Town Centre - rated 4.7/5
Our user said: ‘Mum’s 50th Birthday. Friendly staff, great venue, great drinks.’
You'll find drinks reception venues in various sizes, from smaller spots to larger venues; keep in mind that the type of space and your chosen layout will affect the capacity! Below you can see the typical venue sizes in Reading, together with the standard prices in each size range, based on Tagvenue data (November 2026):
| Small | up to 50 guests | prices average £500 minimum spend per event |
| Medium | between 70 and 130 guests | prices average £1000 minimum spend per event |
| Large | over 160 guests | prices average £1500 minimum spend per event |
These are the venues within 0.1 mi from central Reading, available to book on Tagvenue:
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First Floor Bar at Slug & Lettuce Reading, Friar Street
on 7 Friar Street - 0.1 mi from centre.
Venue said: Serving all of your S&L faves from Cocktail Masterclasses to Bottomless brunches! Our first floor bar is available for all occasions, including our fabulous terrace area for catching those rays! -
Music Room at O'Neill's Reading
on 4 Friar Street - 0.1 mi from centre.
Venue said: O'Neill's Reading is an Irish pub in the town. Food, live sport, drinks offers, and music are all available. -
Rooftop terrace & Bar at Market House
on 1 Market Place - 0.1 mi from centre.
Our user said: ‘Staff very friendly and helpful - great party venue being rooftop bar and nice evening. Food was excellent too...’
Based on Tagvenue data (as of November 2026), users looking for drinks reception venues most commonly go for these venue types:
| Bar | prices average £500 minimum spend per event | typically between 120 and 200 guests |
| Dining Room | prices average £300 hire fee per event | typically between 30 and 120 guests |
| Lounge | prices average £300 minimum spend per event | typically between 50 and 100 guests |
| Pub | prices average £2500 minimum spend per event | typically between 150 and 225 guests |
Smaller drinks reception venues usually fit up to 50 guests standing. Here are some great options in Reading, based on Tagvenue data as of November 2026:
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Cocktail Masterclass at Boom Battle Bar Reading, rated 5/5 - bar for 50 guests
Venue said: Ideal for: Small social groups seeking an interactive, standing, informal session where guests learn and make drinks together. What sets it apart: A resident team perform flair bartending demonstrations during sessions, adding... -
Library at Calico Bar & Eatery, rated 5/5 - lounge for 50 guests
Venue said: We provide freshly made dishes, Asian-inspired flavours, creative cocktails, and live DJs from Thursday to Saturday. Calico offers an unforgettable food, drink, and social experience for every occasion. -
Private Dining Room at Hilton Reading - dining room for 15 guests
Venue said: At the centre of it all is OXBO, the hotel’s restaurant and bar, which adds a nice base for food and drinks. In terms of size, there’s a good range to work with—smaller rooms for 10–30 guests, mid-size spaces for around 40–100,
Cheap drinks reception venues in Reading start from £15 per person or £20 hire fee per event. Check out these budget-friendly spaces you can book through Tagvenue, as of November 2026:
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Full Venue at Spinners Reading, from £15 per person (up to 120 guests standing)
Venue said: Dark shelving and a drinks display give the interior a clean, industrial finish. Features: The venue provides Wi-Fi and air conditioning. Hosts can play their own music or bring a DJ. -
Downstairs Area at The Coconut Tree Reading, from £24 hire fee per event (up to 140 guests standing)
Venue said: The Downstairs at The Coconut Tree Reading has a capacity of 140 guests. It's a go-to choice for larger parties, corporate receptions, and more! -
First Floor Bar at Slug & Lettuce Reading, Friar Street, from £250 minimum spend per event (up to 150 guests standing)
Venue said: Serving all of your S&L faves from Cocktail Masterclasses to Bottomless brunches! Our first floor bar is available for all occasions, including our fabulous terrace area for catching those rays!
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Page last updated in November 2026
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