My spouse and I dined at The Ugly Oyster Drafthaus for lunch
on a Saturday afternoon in late October 2016. This bar/restaurant opened, which
opened in downtown Reading in 2000, occupies the oldest pub in Berks County
(founded in 1700). The bar is located two blocks from the Santander Arena
(previously called the Sovereign Center). The Ugly Oyster is open for lunch,
dinner, and drinks on Mondays through Saturdays (closed on Sundays). The pub
accepts reservations by telephone. Complimentary parking is available in a lighted
surface lot across the street.
The Ugly Oyster is an authentic Guinness Irish Pub. (To
claim authenticity, owners must take formal classes through the Guinness
Brewery, and must meet specific guidelines.) The bar/restaurant space spans
what must have once been two separate storefront establishments. A small part
of the original back-bar from the former interior still remains. The Ugly
Oyster offers table and booth (“snug”) seating, as well as seats at a large
U-shaped wooden bar. Décor includes a tin ceiling, wood molding and
wainscoting, exposed brick walls, brass light fixtures, well-lit artwork, and
tile floors. As with all Guinness pubs in the US, artisans in Yorkshire England
designed and constructed it, shipped to the US, and came here to reassemble it.
Irish music often plays in the background, and the bar offers live music on
certain nights of the week.
The Ugly Oyster serves soups, salads, burgers, sandwiches,
steaks, and seafood. We shared the crab dip appetizer, which the restaurant
serves with about six different types of dippers (pretzels, tortilla chips,
seeded crackers, and so on). As entrees, we ordered the fish and chips
(available “new school” and “old school” depending on the type of breading) and
the chicken cheesesteak. Although we passed on dessert, our server offered two
great-sounding options made by nearby Reading business Sweet Street. The Ugly
Oyster offers a full bar including beer, wine, and cocktails.
We enjoyed the food and the atmosphere at the Ugly Oyster
Drafthaus.
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