Where to Stay in Reading for a Weekend of Gigs and Late Nights: Venues, Last Trains and Quiet Rooms

A practical guide to sleeping well after a show in Reading, with venue locations, transport cut-offs and how to pick a quiet room.

The venues and where they sit

Reading's main live-music venues cluster in the town centre. Sub89 on Friar Street holds around 400 and hosts touring bands; Reading Hexagon on Queen Walk seats about 1,700 for larger shows. The Face Bar on Chatham Street is a smaller, sweatier room for club nights and punk gigs. All three are within a 10-minute walk of each other, so a town-centre hotel puts you close to the action. If you are seeing a show at the Hexagon, the nearest hotels are around The Oracle and Station Hill. For Sub89, look at Friar Street and Blagrave Street.

Further out, the Reading Festival site at Richfield Avenue hosts the August bank-holiday weekend event, but that is a campsite, not a hotel. For regular gigs, staying central is the sensible move. The walk from Sub89 to Reading station is about 8 minutes; from the Hexagon it is 5. If you are heading to a late club night at The Face Bar, which often runs until 3am on Saturdays, a hotel within 15 minutes' walk saves a taxi. I would book somewhere on or near Friar Street or Station Road for the easiest stumble home.

Last trains and getting back after the show

Reading station is a major interchange, but late services thin out after 11pm. Last trains toward London Paddington leave around 23:45 on weekdays and just after midnight on Saturdays, with journey times from 25 minutes. Services to Oxford and Basingstoke also wind down before midnight. If your gig finishes at 23:00, you can just make the last train to London, but any delay means a taxi or an overnight stay. Local buses run until about midnight on key routes, but night buses are limited to weekends on a few corridors.

For a weekend of gigs, I would not rely on the last train. A hotel in Reading removes the stress and lets you stay for the encore. If you are coming from London, the train takes under half an hour from Paddington, so a Friday-to-Sunday stay is easy. Book a room near the station if you plan to arrive late. The walk from the station to Friar Street is flat and well lit. Taxis from the rank outside the station are available but expect a queue after big shows; pre-booking is wiser.

Quiet rooms: what to ask for

Reading's town centre can be noisy on Friday and Saturday nights, especially around Friar Street, Gun Street and the Oracle. If you need quiet, ask for a room at the back of the building or on a higher floor. Hotels on Station Road and Forbury Road tend to be quieter than those directly on the nightlife strip. When you enquire, mention that you are attending a gig and ask whether the room faces the street. Some hotels have double glazing, but not all. A courtyard-facing room is usually the best bet.

Budget options include the Premier Inn on Friar Street and the Travelodge on Oxford Road; both are basic but central. Mid-range choices include the Novotel on Friar Street and the Ibis on Station Road. For a quieter stay, the Malmaison on Station Road and the Roseate on Forbury Square are a step up, with thicker walls and better soundproofing. I would book the Novotel for its location and ask for a room away from the street. Avoid the cheapest rooms on Friar Street itself if you are a light sleeper.

When to book and what to skip

Reading's gig calendar is busiest in autumn and spring, with the festival in August. Hotels fill up quickly during the festival and on weekends when the Hexagon has a big show. Book at least three weeks ahead for a weekend stay, and check the venue's own listing for event dates. Prices for a double room range from around £60 at the Travelodge to over £150 at the Roseate, depending on demand. If you are flexible, Sunday nights are cheaper and quieter.

Skip hotels along the Oxford Road if you want to walk to venues; it is a 20-minute walk to Friar Street and less pleasant at night. Also skip anywhere that does not offer a 24-hour reception if you plan to be out late. For a stress-free gig weekend, I would book a hotel on or near Friar Street, ask for a quiet room, and plan to stay the whole weekend rather than catching the last train.

Questions, answered

What are the main music venues in Reading?

Sub89 on Friar Street, the Hexagon on Queen Walk and The Face Bar on Chatham Street are the main live-music venues. All are in the town centre, within a 10-minute walk of each other.

What time is the last train from Reading to London?

Last trains to London Paddington leave around 23:45 on weekdays and just after midnight on Saturdays. Journey times are from 25 minutes, but check before you travel as times can vary.

Which hotels are closest to Sub89?

The Novotel and Premier Inn on Friar Street are within a 5-minute walk of Sub89. The Ibis on Station Road is about 10 minutes away.

How can I get a quiet room in Reading?

Ask for a room at the back or on a higher floor when you book. Hotels on Station Road and Forbury Road are generally quieter than those on Friar Street. Mention you are attending a gig and request a room away from the street.

When is the best time to visit Reading for gigs?

Autumn and spring have the busiest gig calendars. August brings the Reading Festival, which fills hotels quickly. Book at least three weeks ahead for weekend stays.

Are there late-night buses in Reading?

Local buses run until about midnight on key routes, with limited night buses on weekends. Taxis are available from the station rank, but queues can be long after big shows.

What should I skip when booking a hotel for a gig weekend?

Skip hotels along Oxford Road if you want to walk to venues; it is a 20-minute walk and less pleasant at night. Also avoid places without 24-hour reception if you plan to be out late.

How much do hotels in Reading cost for a weekend?

Prices for a double room range from around £60 at budget chains like Travelodge to over £150 at upscale hotels like the Roseate, depending on demand. Sunday nights are often cheaper.

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