The Purple Turtle on Gun Street in Reading is a well know late night drinking spot in the area. Been there for years it’s a go to for late night drinking and partying. It used to be where you go to when the pubs close but like most other places since the pandemic the license is now only to 2am (previously I am sure it was a 5am license). There is live music here from time to time and two main dance floors. A trip there recently led to a choice between ‘Guns n Roses’ on the ground floor pop dance floor. Or. Freestylers and drum n bass in the basement. Basement won hands down. It gets very busy here and is a favourite for Reading students. Going to the Turtle is a rite of passage so you might as well go.

It's kind of okay, and they sometimes have interesting shows on, but the door staff are almost 100% rude and very surly. Passport or driving licence required for entry too. There's better, and friendlier, late bars to be had in Reading.

What a terrible establishment. After a stranger essentially threw a glass at my head, I was escorted out of the premises for having the gall to stand near where the misbehaving customer resided. Despite multiple bar staff and security confirming that I was not even slightly involved with the previously mentioned miscreant, the manager proceeded to personally ensure I was not allowed re-entry despite clear confirmation from his staff that I was not involved. I believe the very rude manager I spoke to was called Mark. I won't be returning without a genuine apology from management.

My favourite ❤ in Reading during the week. Extremely busy during the weekend. Prices are not too bad. Great staffs. Be careful with some female bouncers over there. You get banned (Expecially females)for literally nothing if they don't like you. I wish managers over there should actually investigate before standing for some decisions making by these bouncers. Overall, great venue depending of your tast of music.

Really enjoyed this pub when I visited my friend in Reading back in 2017. People were friendly all around, from the staff to other customers. Also enjoyed the decor (the Shining wall art, which I attached as a photo, is a nice touch).

Went here for a D&B event. Not been for years and the place has improved greatly. Good atmosphere from the small crowd. I spent all my time there in the Basement area and briefly into the outside area. Kept well away from the noise upstairs. Hopefully there will be another D&B night there again soon.

If you remember this as a cool metal/alternative bar then don't come. If you like Peter Andre, Eminem and random pop sh!te and enjoy being treated like an annoyance this is the place for you! Wine is a an alien concept since it's such an unusual choice of drink. I used to love this place and came here regularly recommending it to people from all over the country. No more. I won't be coming back, if you enjoy dressing up in your fanciest Adidas tracksuit instead of leathers and boots this is the place for you. Goodbye old favourite.

I've drank here,on and off, for about 20 years and it's still as amazing as the first time I went. Alternative/ Rock/ Everything bar-club that's being going strong for more than 30 years. A genuine staple of Readings nightlife. The atmosphere is welcoming, service is perfect (thank you Charlotte, you're a credit to the place).A huge amount of drinks choice at reasonable prices. Large beer garden at the rear. Outside bar and shisha area. This is genuinely one of my favourite watering holes in the world and I highly recommend a visit here.

Probably really good. I used to come here a lot in my 20s when I used to go out a lot and it was always bit rough but a really good night. I came here recently (now in my mid 40s) after a corporate Xmas do. I was fairly pissed when I walked in and from what I can remember it had certainly been gentrified. However it still had the purple turtle vibe. Would go back if I’m ever on a night out in Reading.

This Pub/Bar has been a favorite of mine for well over 12years, as soon as i could drink i was in here having the world of fun with friends. really good mixed music from many different genres and with a good drink selection. outdoor area is awesome in any weather and kept tidy. also Readings only late night venue.

My favourite club in reading. Great if you want an exciting night out, or just a quiet night chilling outside on the heated seats. Staff are friendly and helpful and the management seem to have a nice and welcoming approach to the operation from what I've seen. Nice variety and quality of drinks, and nice variety of spaces and music with lots of character, and an overall great atmosphere.

The turtle has gone very down hill. Used to play metal and rock music but it now plays Abba, Baby Cakes, Sophie Ellis Bexter, Atomic Kitten and Oasis. They do not have happy hour 2 for 1 on cocktails till 8pm anymore. They have got rid of some of there best cocktails such as the screaming orgasm. I went there on a Saturday night and compared to what it use to be like it was dead but at least this means you never have to queue at the bar anymore. It is honestly such a shame. Though the walls and toilets are still littered with great artists and the video monitors show bands like the scorpions and the cure, you will never hear there music in there anymore. 😭

LGBT+ friendly venue with a great atmosphere. The music is amazing and the drinks are great too, plus there's the outdoor space for those warmer evenings or when it gets too crowded indoors. Staff are mostly friendly, but a few of them could definitely do with less of a negative attitude towards visitors.

Lovely outdoor seating and great lay out too. More than enough bars to get served and good service provided. Music on offer was top notch and reminded me of the Pink Toothbrush in Essex. Fantastic!

Amazing venue, it had a great little stage setup to see live bands and once you go outside there is a huge decking on a few floors with table football and outside bars. There is also a dance club in the cellar with a Gothic theme which is different but it's really well done. I recommend it a lot, I just wish I lived closer.

I remember it being great in the beginning, not sure I remember leaving. Usually a good sign.

Purple turtle is my favourite. The only location that closes around 4 am. On top of that, they make some awesome cocktails, good music and overall a nice and fun atmosphere. You might be lucky and see some bands performing live, they always have something happening over the weekend.

Nice pub with a great atmosphere, lots of variety, and an outdoor area with cover.

Excellent experience served very quick and professionaly. Ryan & Charlie were amazing especially Ryan i had to get 9 shots and 3 other normal drinks and he even asked if you wanted the cheaper option i mean who does that. What a total legend this guy deserves a bonus. And Charlie took over from him when i went to get drinks later and even help me take drinks back to my friends. Amazing people great time 10/10. Even tho they wouldn't let me back in after a certain time. They wouldn't let anyone back in after a while.

I went here with my whole work group of about 20 of us. We went to sit on the shisha lounge bit and there was a girl who was EXTREMELY rude to me and my manager and my colleagues. Very disappointed and would have expected better customer service on a night which was supposed to be enjoyable. Other than that the juke box machine was good and enjoyed upstairs. Probably won’t be returning again unfortunately. Please speak to this lady she really was very rude and didn’t know the meaning of hospitality clearly x

Nice club Good prices for cocktail

Really warm friendly service. Really clean accessible tolet with easy access in front of the stage ( although it could possibly be more difficult later on in the evening). The magers Amber and Jo were absolutely fantastic Bar service was really fast and efficient. It was also really accessible using a walking stick. You would find it more difficult to access the stuning garden bar if in a wheelchair, however i understand that if you speak to the bouncers it may be possible to walk you around to the rear fire gates. However disabled tolets are on the main floor. There is however a decking area that wheel chair users can use for smoking or vapeing on that level. Great night out eclectic music i hope my review helps you.

Excellent outdoor area, especially during the night! Music choice is decent too. Would recommend

First visit in years. It’s looking so much better. There’re even doors on the toilet cubicles now. Shame the black, bearded barman was so narky. He needs to treat customers respectfully.

Amazing night as usual...crazy place, fun, good music and different dancefloor (2) downstairs and upstairs inside. Outside smoking area and Shisha side ...if you look for an easy night with friend that's the place

Good place, good live music, a bit small so when is busy, it's really busy... Appreciated so much the external area to have a rest and fresh air

Very light on measures, ordered a cocktail and they did not use full shots in the cocktails. More like half a shot of each spirit; and still have the audacity to charge the prices they do. Music isn't the same as it used to be; very reliant on the juke box through the week since covid.

If you like your rock music and want to escape the 'cocktail beats', then this is the place for you. My wife and I loved it, it was like having a drink in Lux and Ivy's (The Cramps) living room. The screens showing wintry northern lights were the ice-ing on the rock'n'roll cake. Fabuloso!

I've grown up with this place from its roots on Gun Street to the present day, I don't tend to go late as its to busy for me and I feel so old 🧓 if there at that time. I'm disabled so find all the steps hard going in the outside seating area so only go with friends so they can fetch and carry for me 😂😂. The staff are always friendly and helpful when I need access to the disabled toilet. It has easy access for disabled if your willing to sit inside or on the level seating area at the front of the garden but be warned there are often people smoking those Turkish vapes.

I go through phases of how much I enjoy PT but ultimately it's always the place you go to end a night out in Reading - primary because it's open late and has free entry. There's two rooms catering to different music tastes and the outside area is generally where people go for a chat - canopy and heaters very much in use during winter.

Cheap prices on beer / cocktails. Very friendly relaxed atmosphere. Spent many drunk nights in here years ago. Took daughter the other night for her 1st legal drink and she felt very comfortable and loved the atmosphere. One of a very few places in town that feels safe , nobody ever wants to cause bother, they're all there for a good enjoyable evening. Unique pub and my favorite in town.

Hands down my favourite bar in Reading. I've been going there for 20 years and despite the amazing refurb a few ago, it still retains all the character of it's past. Staff are professional. All walks of life congregate without issues and the door staff are on the ball to quickly remedy any issues with people who fancy a fight. I have always loved the turtle and it has always been my number 1 recommendation for anyone who fancies a late drink or a late night.

Very nice customer service , lady behind bar was very helpful, security was visible everywhere so big plus for that. Only one less start as this place needs upgrade with furniture's.

Came in on a Thursday night for a few late drinks after dinner. Very impressed! Doorstaff were friendly and polite and the bar staff were the same. Ordering via the qtap app worked well and the tables were all perfectly to allow for social distancing both inside and out. Only downside is I wish it was open later! We were having such a good evening we didn’t want to leave at 1am! We’ll definitely be back.

One of my favourite bars, everything to like about The Purple Turtle. Highly recommended.

Oldest in group 60 years old Door staff very good and polite and felt very safe Really good place for late night drink

pretty solid to be honest, good selectioncof drinks, lovely staff and the location is great for me.

Just the best bar in Reading. Staff are fantastic, music’s great and drinks are decently priced. Outdoor area is great too, plenty of heaters and heated benches make even the coldest nights enjoyable!

Amazing pub, staff can't do enough for you. Good selection of beers. Whilst Reading Festival is on, this is the place to come when the music ends! Garden cosy.

Best bar in Reading! Have been to the Purple Turtle many times over the years and just love the atmosphere there. Have also been lucky enough to see a few bands there recently. It’s a fantastic venue and hope to see more there soon!

Had a really fantastic evening during the Eurovision event. Met some amazing people. Lovely place, Fantastic atmosphere. Love the outside balcony area. Truly had an amazing evening

What a place Turtle is. Go here almost every weekend and always have the best time. Friendliest staff you'll meet, especially my man Rich. Watch out for Reggie on a Fri/Sat night in the dungeon; he pumps out the belters and good vibes. Many good times had here and many more to come!

Late night bar with a good outside area. drinks are reasonably priced with music inside. The outside has lots of heaters if a bit cold.

The most Unique outside space on several levels open and covered. With heated Dragon Benches. Bar staff extremely accommodating, I didn't want the first Guinness of the day out of line and they understood this and were terrific. Highly appreciate staff , and a brilliant environment. 10/10

Fantastic bar with a quality variety in music (mostly rock upstairs and DnB in the basement). security on the other hand is a mixed bag, some like to go on power trips and have kicked out my friend whilst queuing up for water for being "too drunk" despite behaving normally and being respectful and following their orders throughout their entire interaction. However door staff on most nights are friendly and effective.

The best music in town but the night I went, the ground floor dancefloor had no air conditioning so it must've been about 35°C. When I went I didn't have to queue or pay to get in unlike the extremely crowded Gun Street next door to it

It's probably the worst club in reading. Dirty af Music is mostly either hard rock/ metal or what you find in your high-school disco in main room. Downstairs is literally dnb but dead. Like I can see why so many people get caught taking drugs there, you probably need it with how dead the music is. Way too bright for a club Drinks prices are same price as any club in reading. Literally right next door is the cocktail club which do drinks the same price but are 300 times better. Outside is probably the best part where it's a chill outdoor drinks area. But still dirty and no music.

Such a cool layout and design. Staff were friendly and accommodating and make great cocktails! Would reccomend for a good night out. Only possible problem is there is a lot of stairs and narrow corridors to access anywhere aside from the bar, so could see this being a problem for wheelchair users or anyone with mobility issues.

We had the unfortunate incident where my friend's lighter fell from his pocket and subsequently rolled down to the club entrance area. To say that the white female security sitting front of the club extrance wasn't too happy is an understatement. She screamed and shouted like a maniac. Telling us that if is happens again we would be asked to leave. So, I'd warn guest to avoid that seat in case if your lighter accidently and unintentionally falls from your pocket, unless you enjoy getting aggressively screamed at from below by a female security officer. I don't know, maybe that's just normal in the good old town of Reading. One possible way to prevent this is that the management place a wooden plank or something to prevent things rolling down from the balcony. Not too sure if it counts as hazard in its current state. Other than that, it was a lovely experience and atmosphere. Loved the 90s music vibe.