If there was ever an excuse to celebrate, it's your birthday. Whether you're keeping it a little low-key or going full force for a big night out, we've got just the activities and venues to make it a day (or night) to remember. From pirate-themed escape rooms to cocktail masterclasses and doggie brunches, here's our insider guide to the most fun birthday ideas in Reading.
Last edited by Kiera Chapman
Last updated on 1st September 2025
Celebrate your birthday in retro fashion over at Popworld Reading. This join boasts colourful interiors and a flashy dancefloor, making it the perfect place to dance the night away to fabulous cheesy tunes while knocking back a top-notch lineup of quirky cocktails.
Purveyors of all things beer, BrewDog serves up everything from burgers and brunch to guest drafts and headline brews. Better yet, dog owners can bring fluffly four-legged friends along for birthday treats.
Make your birthday a showstopper at Cosy Club Reading. With its plush interiors and private dining room, this is the perfect place to gather your favourite people for a birthday feast.
Start with sharing plates (panko prawns, anyone?), move on to comforting mains, and top it all off with a round of cocktails and a clotted cream vanilla cheesecake.
So you've had dinner and then splashed out on cocktails... well, now it's party time. Get yourself on the list for Lola Lo; the tiki-inspired spot touting island vibes, exotic interiors and live DJs till the early hours.
If swanky interiors, killer drinks and party vibes sound like your kinda drinking den, then The Cocktail Club on Gun Street is just the birthday treat you've been searching for. Better yet, they're fronting cocktail masterclasses where you can earn how to whip up two delicious cocktails, as well as boozy brunches and other fun events.
With an array of areas to choose from Veeno has you covered no matter the vibe you're after. Expect cosy nooks lined with wine and, a rustic bar area and table dining that's perfect for devouring cheese and charcuterie.
With venues both by the river and on Friar Street, Slug and lettuce is a top choice for fun birthday celebrations in Instagrammable surrounds. Think quirky neon signs, floral displays and plenty of pink touches, alongside two-for-one cocktails all day, every day.
Sip on classic and signature concoctions with your best mates, or opt for a bottomless brunch instead - complete with 90 minutes of unlimited drinks. As for the food menu, expect everything from loaded nachos to juicy burgers or mac 'n' cheese.
Birthday plans? Sorted. Head on over to The Botanist on King Street for its gorgeous garden-inspired interiors and wacky features. Sit down with your pals for a top-notch brunch event touting tasty grub or choose from its evening menu featuring its world-famous hanging kebabs. There's also the opportunity to catch some live music as the venue is buzzing with non-stop entertainment. As for cocktails? This floral playground has plenty, from the gin-based Plant Pot to the Cherry Blossom Martini.
If you're really looking to do something out of the ordinary this year, gather your mates for an escape hunt where you'll have to crack clues and uncover secrets. With themes including, Blackbeard's Treasure and The Wild West, there's something for everyone.
Get the rounds in at Be At One, as the Gun Street hotspot welcomes you to soak up over 100 different cocktails. Grab an Irish Disco Biscuits upstairs or head downstairs where dancing and Daiquiris await. Going all out? Book a masterclass and really shake things up.
