Playlist Live
WHERE
Reading
What it’s like
This is an over-25s live music venue in Reading where you scribble a song request and a live band plays it back at you.
This one's for the adults, and specifically adults who can prove they're over 25 if asked, since Challenge 25 is in force at the door. The idea is simple and quite good fun: you write your song choice on a slip, hand it to your waiter, and the musicians play it. That request-based format only runs on Fridays and Saturdays, so if you go earlier in the week you're getting the same room and food without the live requests.
Weekends also bring bottomless brunch with entertainment laid on, and the venue runs proper late nights on Friday and Saturday through to 1am. Turn up late for brunch and you won't get extra time added to your bottomless slot, which is a bit unforgiving if your table's held up getting there. Bottomless brunch tickets are non-refundable too, though they can be passed to someone else if your plans change.
Birthday parties are clearly a big part of what they do here. Packages for small groups come with a free cake, a shot each and a band performance, and there are semi-private booths and full venue hire for anywhere from ten up to a few hundred guests. The one snag is you can't bring your own cake in, down to their allergen policy, so you'll need to sort that through them instead.
There's no parking on site, but Reading Station is a three to five minute walk and there are public car parks nearby if you're driving in. Dress code is smart casual, so leave the tracksuit and gym kit at home and swap the trainers for something clean.
Facilities
Need to know
- Parking
- Several public car parks within 5-8 minute walk (Broad Street Mall, Oracle, Cattle Market)
- Getting there by bus or train
- 3-5 minute walk from Reading Station on Friar Street
- Parties
- Birthday packages from 1-9 people with free birthday cake, shot per person and band performance
- Challenge 25 is enforced, so under 25s need ID at the door
- The live request format is Friday and Saturday only, not weekdays
- Bottomless brunch tickets are non-refundable but can be transferred to someone else
- Full venue hire runs on a minimum spend basis with no hire fee
Plan your visit
Is this an over-18s venue?
It's over-25s effectively, since Challenge 25 applies and under 25s need to show proof of age.
How does the song request thing work?
You write your song on a slip and hand it to your waiter, and the live musicians play it. It only runs on Fridays and Saturdays.
Do we need to book?
There's a booking link for tables and events, and bottomless brunch especially needs booking in advance.
What's the dress code?
Smart casual or dressier. No tracksuits, gym wear or sports caps, and trainers need to be clean and smart.
Can we bring our own birthday cake?
No, external cakes aren't allowed because of their allergen policy. Ask their team about celebration options instead.
Is there parking?
Not on site. There are public car parks a five to eight minute walk away, and it's a three to five minute walk from Reading Station.
What if we're late for bottomless brunch?
Latecomers don't get extra time added on, so the bottomless drinks service still ends at the original time.
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