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The Ugly Oyster
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 11:30 am - 2 am
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
29 reviews for The Ugly Oyster
Review Highlights
"...get some Oysters and a pint of Guinness to wash them down."
(in 9 reviews)
"Irish pub type atmosphere, fabulous beer selection."
(in 3 reviews)
"...the fish and chips and crab cakes before as well and all..."
(in 4 reviews)
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29 reviews in English
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Review from Erica R.
Pottsville, PA
10/16/2011
For me food has to be important of course, but the wait staff can make or break the entire experience.
It started out rough but the wait staff recovered nicely. We asked for a booth and got seated then everyone disappeared. A few minutes later I'm looking around and cannot seem to find a waitress. We wait a few minutes more. Nobody comes by. I see waitresses hanging at bar and start to really look around. A waitress finally came by and apologized saying we were seated in an area unattended and they had just figured that out. That meant TONS. An honest explanation, apology, and quick recover. From that moment on we were taken care of. Compare that to a few weeks ago at the BRICK HOUSE where all night was awful getting service. Good service can make or break it. I won't go back to the BH but the Ugly Oyster recovered nicely with their honesty. Love it.
Food was good as well. We had the steamed seafood as an appetizer (shared). It was supposed to be an entree and while it was good it was no way a meal! Loved it though. Crab legs excellent. Shrimp nicely seasoned in old bay. Clams excellent. A few mussels did not open but oh well.
I ate portabella sandwich and ate it without the bun. Loved it! Perfect!
Husband had crabcake sandwich and that was enjoyable as well.
Did not drink beer but the margarita was good. I had a dirty martini and that was good as well. Nice atmosphere, good parking, friendly wait staff. Would return any day! -
Review from Kim Z.
Reading, PA
8/28/2011
Ok, what do you think an ugly oyster exactly refers to? Hmmm. Let me know when you have figured it out. It is neither a reference to the food nor a compliment to women. Or so I am told.
Here is another tragic story related to Reading's past, for those interested in weird history. There was a terrible event of domestic violence here that I never fail to think about when I go in -- in 1987, an off-duty police officer shot his ex to death, downstairs where she ran to call for help. He also killed an elderly patron and shot a cook. He died on death row a few years later. Domestic violence statistics in this country are still shocking and include all social strata of people.
The place received a Guinness revamp in the 90s with supposedly-authentic stuff shipped in from Ireland and became a lot nicer. I especially love the tin wall coverings. The pub food is decent. I used to get Reubens there sans the meat, and they never gave me a hassle. You can snag one of the two cozy window seats and have a street view to the eccentricities of Reading. As a real Irish pub would have, there are plenty of booths.
It can get a bit rowdy on weekends, so we stick to weekdays or afternoons when we want a really good UK beer. The Irish Whisky selection is the best I have seen. The lighter one I kind of liked is the name of the murderous cop, Powers. Ugh. Bar staff used to doodle a cloverleaf into the foam head on your beer, cute. You will never see a more packed place on St. Patrick's Day.
Last I knew, the bathrooms left a lot to be desired. Making up for this is a large free parking lot, well, free at night. In the winter particularly, this place seems to beg you to come in and get warm.Listed in: Good Beer in Berks (or Just…
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Review from Tootman T.
Temple, PA
2/3/2012
I tried the ugly oyster for the half off burger special on Thursday night running from 10:00 pm to 1:30 am . The place is awesome , great attention to detail , very warm friendly and well run. The beer selection was a pleasant surprise. I was blown away by the Belgium beer and a Burger that was tops . You know you found a great place when you can't wait to return and that was the case here. I can't wait for my next opportunity to visit this GEM in the heart of the Jungle.
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Review from Jeremy W.
San Antonio, TX
1/28/2012
Great atmosphere, great Guinness! I had the crab cakes and they were very good, a little on the spicy side, but very good. I would definitely go back next time I am in Reading.
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Review from Justin K.
Ok, so I have decided to review the Ugly Oyster after my recent visit at New Years. Catchy name isn't it. Is it the best irish pub i have been to, probably not. Is it a good on in a now crappy city, yes. Growing up outside of Reading and seeing this city gradually get worse and worse over the years, we always had a lack of cool places to go. I wish this place was around when I was, this definitely would have been on our regular bar list. This Irish Bar is located down the street from the Sovereign Center. Quick tip, if there is a concert or something going on, your chances of actually getting a seat in here are slim to none. The Oyster's menu is typical bar food however their beer menu is fantastic. You can get anything from Weyerbacher to LaChouffe to Victory to Young's Double Chocolate. Of course being in an Irish bar, you go with what you know, Guinness. Is it typical, yes, but they pour a mean Guinness and it is cheaper than most of the other beers here. The food here is decent enough. Their raw bar is pretty solid. I really enjoy their hot steamed shrimp and French mussels. The service is always polite and prompt. For me, this place is a bright spot in a declining city. It is unfortunate because living in Berks County is great. I do enjoy coming back here and I have a good time every time that I do. If you are in the Reading area and what to check out a cool little Irish pub, come here, I don't think you will be disappointed.
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Review from Andrea W.
Danville, PA
10/25/2011
Came excited for the fried oysters and they sucked. Also the french fries were uncooked and pretty much raw potato. The salad had slimy veggies and I ended up picking most of them off. I sent the whole meal back and split the cheese-steak that my date ordered. That was decent. The wait staff was apologetic and friendly and the atmosphere is really great. I would go there again for drinks only.
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Review from Greg P.
4/27/2011 1 Check-in Here
Irish pub type atmosphere, fabulous beer selection.
Over the years, the Ugly Oyster has been my second favorite property within the city limits of Reading.
I love the building. The outside has the look of a real Irish pub, and inside, nice woodwork complements the bar and surroundings. The bar back is old and original and I believe the rest of the wood was built to match The Ugly Oyster is a gem in what can otherwise be a rather depressing city. An added bonus is that there is usually plenty of parking available, either on the street or in the lot across the street.
The menu is more or less pub fare. Of the appetizers, I'm a fan of the crab dip for two. I also love the fried oyster platter. The crab cake is a bit of a let-down and the fish and chips are just so-so. God I wish somebody could authentically reproduce the fish and chips that you can get nearly anywhere in the UK. Now that would be something.
The real attraction here is the beer. They have Guinness on tap, correctly done, and they always have a neat selection of Euro and micro beers on tap too. In addition to the nice draft selection, they also have about a hundred bottled beers hidden in the cooler, including some interesting Belgians. Ask for a beer menu.
Why only 3 stars? If this was ten years ago, I would have given them 5. But the last three times I've been there this year, the staff seemed to act as they'd rather be anywhere else besides working here. Yes, I really do understand that it's hard to sound enthusiastic after the 10,000th time you've recited the draft beer selections, but damn... it's not my fault that I'm sitting where I can't see the tap handles.
Bottom line: If you like pubs and/or if you're a beer geek and haven't been here yet, check it out. Just don't expect too much otherwise. -
Review from Charles C.
Brooklyn, NY
Updated - 3/31/2011
Boosting this place to four stars!!! Why you may ask? THE BEER
I've been to this place twice and never looked past the tap handles on top of the bar. You got your Guinness, Yuengling, Anchor, and your BMC. But last night, it was one of our co-workers birthday so we all decided to grab some drinks at Ugly Oyster. While standing at the bar I noticed a ton of mini fridges stationed on the floor and asked for a beer menu. My eyes!!! Oh my dear eyes!!! They have a whole plethora of different beers from different regions of the world at rock bottom prices! Got myself a Rochefort 10 for only 10 bucks. Delirium's are $7 as well.
This will be my go-to spot whenever I need a drink from now on!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/30/2011
Upon entering you're automatically greeted with irish music. Great! You seat yourself at a booth or… Read more »
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Review from Dake V.
Honolulu, HI
11/22/2010
It is too bad i can't give a review for the food and another for the service .
The Oysters, mussels, crab cakes and fish and chips were to die for...
The waitress seemed stoned out of her mind. The guy at the next table asked the manager if she was new, she never brought or even placed a bar order for my beer, she forgot our salad, the people at the two tables next to mine also never got their beer... I have to stop - my mother always told me to not say anything unless you had something nice to say. Wait a minute, my mom was there and she said "this waitress is horrible". But there must be something nice to say about her - she did add up the bill correctly...
Go anyway - maybe by the time you make it there she will have been fired or have moved out of the service industry.
DID I SAY THE BEER SELECTION IS OUTSTANDING AND THEY HAVE A HAND PUMPED BEER!!! -
Review from Elena C.
8/9/2010
The place is really cute with Irish bar signs and dark wood everywhere. Great atmosphere for drinking. It had such promise.
I would NOT eat there again. Perhaps if I'd selected a different dish things would have gone better. I got the crabcake sandwich and my fiance got the fish and chips.
The crab cake ... for lack of a better word ... was odd. It tasted bad ... I don't even know how to describe it. It wasn't rotten or anything. Maybe it was cooked in dirty oil that had been around for awhile. Gross. Whatever it was, it wasn't good. I ate what I could but thank goodness there were fries to fill me up. The fries were actually quite good and the only thing pushing this to a two-star rating. I guess it's my fault. I could have sent it back and ordered something else but we had a baseball game to get to and didn't want to get into all that.
My fiance said the fish and chips were "all right." He finished them but I have a feeling he wasn't any more impressed then I was.
If I ever go to Reading again I'll go to The Peanut Bar. It looked kooky and fun ... -
Review from Chang P.
Philadelphia, PA
8/8/2011
Decent Pub in Reading. Assembled a crew for a happy hour type visit prior to an event. Good wings and fries, and plenty of bottled brew options. However, Raw Bar oysters, the Ugly Pretzel and crab cake sandwich were average at best. If you're into a selection of ~40 different man sodas and you don't have freedom fry-burglars as friends, this may be your spot.
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Review from Joe P.
Conshohocken, PA
7/21/2011
I grew up in the Reading area and this is by far my favorite bar in the area. I love the authentic Irish pub atmosphere. Every time I go in it reminds me of my trips to Ireland. The food is excellent. I always get some Oysters and a pint of Guinness to wash them down. The crab legs and shrimp are top notch as well. The O also has an amazing selection of bottled beers from all over the world. They also have one pump handle to serve some real ales.
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Review from Jamie M.
2/16/2010
The place has a lot of character, but was ruined (at least for me) since our bartender had a lot of attitude. Plus she was extremely hard to get ahold of to order drinks or ask questions; she also wasn't very knowledgeable (my friend asked for suggestions and a bar menu and the bartender was uninterested/un-knowledgeable in helping her out). I had a Guinness(they had a $3 special) and my friend had a Smirnoff Ice ($3.75) and a Coors Light ($3.75)
Despite that, the list of beers they carry is extensive, especially compared with other places in the area. Also, there is free parking in the church lot across the street after 6PM!
To sum up-
Pros:
Very traditional type bar
Mixed crowd (although tilting toward older)
Extensive beer list
Free parking across the street (at the church after 6PM)
Cons:
unknowledgeable/standoffish bartender (Dani?)
Couldn't get the bar menu since the kitchen was closing in 15 min
I may be back to try the food since I've heard such great things about it! -
Review from Alex C.
Fairfax, VA
5/29/2011
Very salty crabcakes and kind of mushy. Just okay.
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Review from Margo K.
2/16/2011
I've been dining at the Ugly Oyster since I was a kid and I'd go with my parents. I always enjoyed the food, because I love pub food, but I haven't had the chance to eat here in a couple years. I have been back for drinks though. It seems as though the clientele is mostly 30s-60s in age, even on Fridays at 11pm. I think the crowd can vary, because it was filled with mid-twenty-somethings around Thanksgiving break. I have always had a good time here. Their draft selection isn't that great in my opinion - it's not that varied at all. Fairly blah. I get that this is a certified Guiness bar, but perhaps I need to pick something from the bottle list next time. The bartenders aren't very charismatic, and it's not endearing. Good atmosphere though. I'll always come back here, but I think I prefer dinner over late-night here. To me, this is still one of the best spots in Reading.
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Review from Juli R.
Newmanstown, PA
12/12/2009
The only thing stopping me from giving 5 stars was that our server disappeared after we ordered and it took forever to get our food.
That said, that is my *only* complaint with the Ugly Oyster.
First of all, the place looks amazing inside and out. When you step through the doors, it's like walking back in time. It's very dim but warm with pattered tin walls painted red and shiny shiny wood everywhere. Even the tables are fabulous little inlaid rounds with wrought iron bases.
To start, we had the Crab Dip for 2. It was a hot dish of cheesy crabby goodness. It came with some multigrain crackers, garlic bread and Pennsy style broken pretzels. Incredibly tasty once it cooled a little. It's going to be a few days before the napalm-like cheesy burns on the roof of my mouth heal. Consider yourself forewarned!
I also tried a couple of the special Blue Point Oysters on the half shell from their raw bar. They were exceptionally fresh, sweet and clean. Pretty impressive for a place so far inland and that was our experience with all of the seafood at The Ugly Oyster.
My boyfriend and I also shared the Steamed Seafood Platter that came with a snow crab cluster, some steamed shrimp, mussels and clams. The clams and mussels were impeccably clean. I hate eating clams that have grit in them. These were fabulous and perfectly cooked to doneness without getting rubbery. Same for the mussels-- if you try them here and don't like them, don't eat them anywhere else because seriously, they don't get any better. Next time I go, I am ordering the giant bowl of mussels.
We also both had a sandwich (what can I say, we were hungry!). He had the cheese steak which had this interesting sweet, spicy sauce on it. He loved it. I had a fried oyster sandwich that I loved and I upgraded to the fresh cut french fries, which had been sprinkled in Old Bay. Super, super yummy.
I just cannot get over how great the seafood is at this little hole-in-the-wall bar in Reading, PA!
So, all of the food listed above, plus a Guinness and a Yuengling Lager and our check was $50. Yes, you read that correctly. Incredibly cheap for a seafood dinner if you ask me.
If you are in, near, around or can get to The Ugly Oyster-- GO!!! -
Review from Kera P.
Reading, PA
10/7/2010
The food is good, but takes forever to arrive. Also, there are not a lot of choices on the menu if you don't like seafood (which I don't). Love the atmosphere, though.
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Review from M F.
Berks County, PA
3/13/2011
I love this place. I have been here several times and every time I have had really good food. The service is not that great sometimes but the food and the fun atmosphere makes up for it. I love the oyster sandwich, the fries are super good, and the Ugly Pretzel is very tasty. I have had the fish and chips and crab cakes before as well and all very very good. I would highly recommend this place just for the food and the beer selection.
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Review from erin s.
Nashville, TN
1/23/2011
This place was good. Lots of beers on tap, fun environment and the food was good- not amazing, but solid. I had the Ugly Pretzel and Steamed Shrimp. Both were tasty and satisfying.
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Review from jess M.
Washington, DC
1/21/2008
The food here is amazing. Seriously. The mussels french style are a must-have no matter what time I'm there. The french onion soup is the best I've ever had, and the rest of the food is great too.
The beer is also amazing. They have a hand cask and change up the offerings regularly. Aside from that, there is a great tap and bottle selection.
I honestly can't say enough about this place, other than I wish I could take it with me wherever I go. -
Review from Joanne and Mike E.
Reading, PA
3/10/2009
What a great place to eat and drink. I love everything on the menu and my other has found many things she will eat, even though she is from Plainsillania. Seafood, Irish dishes, beef and chicken all great.
One of the best places to find all the variety in beer you would want and a fully stocked bar. The bartenders are a collection of characters that take wonderful care of your needs.
When in Reading visit and see for yourself. -
Review from Adam R.
Centreville, VA
6/28/2010
I have relatives who have lived in and around Reading for years. So I was surprised that we'd never tried The Ugly Oyster before. Walking in the pub on the unassuming city corner, my wife and I were pleased by the authentic Irish pub atmosphere complete with Guinness decor. We ordered the pretzel/cheese/crab appetizer - tasty! - then settled in with a Guinness, the mussels (big portion!), and the fish & chips (crispy and delicious). Since it was a Monday afternoon, there wasn't a crowd, but I can only imagine the fun it would be to revisit on a Friday night. We'll be back for sure!
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Review from Ben T.
Philadelphia, PA
11/6/2009
Coolest looking Bar in Reading, Real Handmade Irish bar. Great place to drink good beers and whiskey. Never really ate the food, but heard it's great.
If in CC Reading its worth it to stop by and have a beer just to check out the real irish bar. -
Review from Katie R.
Reading, PA
12/31/2009
I love the Ugly Oyster! It's the best bar in Reading. They have a great food (try the crabby pretzel), but let's be honest, I usually just go for the beer. Long live the Ugly O!
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Review from Kimberly M.
New Haven, CT
6/8/2010
There are places that I've been to during a trip that I just get bummed out because its just simply not closer and I know ill only go there Maybe once a year and this would be one of them. Due to the high ratings on YELP I decided to go here after spending an entire day at the WWII weekend in Reading PA(which was fantastic, Id suggest going to anyone). This place hit the spot. Prices were great and service was the nicest I have encountered. I got the pretzel app that everyone raves about and they aren't kidding when they say this thing is amazing & got the mussels for dinner. For 10 bucks u get an entire plate piled high with mussels and garlic bread.... Back in CT this plate would easily of been like 20-30 bucks. WHAT A DEAL! And they tasted awesome! I will be making this trip a yearly thing and each time will be going to the Ugly Oyster.
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Review from Gil C.
York, PA
4/6/2010
My Mother, wife to be and myself had dinner recently at the Ugly Oyster and it was a fantastic experience all around.
The establishment itself is remarkable and has the characteristics of an Irish pub, including the ornate decor and amazing craftsmanship of the bar.
I had the NY Strip and it was almost fork tender. My mother had the crab cakes and they were irresistable as well. My SO had the fried chicken fingers plus the crab imperial pretzel and they turned out great.
The service was excellent, the beer was cold and the overall atmosphere was friendly.
If you are in DT Reading, do yourself a favor and drop in, even if it's only for a drink or two.
I do look forward to my next visit to the Ugly O! -
Review from Ryan F.
Reading, PA
8/3/2008
Been here plenty of times, usually at night. Really good food and atmosphere. A great place to just take some friends after work have a couple drinks and chat all night.
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Review from John K.
Summit, NJ
12/9/2009
If I lived near here I'd be a regular, particularly if I could walk .Of course that would mean living in downtown Reading which would be truly strange.Reading is in a somewhat strange way a beautiful old town but it has seen better days.Any connoisseur of cities should check it out .If you sit near the window here you'll get to view some great urban street life.The nook in the back is also very nice.To eat, the crab cakes ,period.You should be here for the beer ,they have a consistently wonderful list of drafts .The waitresses vary in quality but they are generally nice.My favorite was a punk girl they had a few years ago, maybe for all I know a couple of days .She seemed bright and charming,I suspect the neo punk look was a phase.Typical reflection of an old timer (in my day when we put beer in our hair and spiked it ,it really meant something,blah blah).For a few years the Cranberries seemed to be the place soundtrack,fortunately Delores O'Riordan seems to have been banished.
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Review from Nicole L.
5/3/2009
Ugly Oyster is bar/restaurant designed and built by English craftsmen it's a beautifully decorated restaurant -both on the exterior and interior. Don't know the deal with hanging bras as decors though at the bar. The bar offers a long list of beer it was very impressive for a bar in Reading including Duvel, Chimay Hoegarden, Tripistes and of cos Guinness! We sat there for a good 15-20 min before the waitress came over to take out order - it was like they could tell we were from out of town. Other tables after us had orders taken and served before we got our appetizers. We tried the wings - it was weak slightly sweet sauce not buffalo style. It was ok. We also ordered the chickensteak sandwich - my friend's sandwich was incorrectly made with all the peppers and mushroom (cost extra) when she asked for peppers to be excluded. I got mine with buffalo sauce. It turned out they made a mistake by giving her someone else's sandwich. It was too late when I tasted the 'sweet sauce' and I didnt like it in my sandwich. The 5 0z sandwich was HUGE and I only ate half of it, to get fries it would cost extra $1.50. I got it cos I thought it was advertised that it's true large idaho potatos fried in peanut oil. The fries were just average - nothing extraordinary. After the dinner, my roommate and I felt really queasy and were sick. Wonder if it was because of this place.
