Thomas Read

A noisy, charmless fake Irish pub with live music.

I've been avoiding writing a review for Thomas Read for a while now, because of Inevitable Backlash. But I feel it is now time for me to speak out in defence of poor old TR - perenially misunderstood in my opinion.

Despite claims, this isn't really a pub, and if a pub is what you are expecting then do NOT go to Thomas Read as it will definitely put you off it for life. The bit you first walk into is all dressed up like an irish pub but it's just a theme - I would never go in here during the day, or to drink. That would be weird.

What Thomas Read has to offer is:
a) a variety of music - dance, pop and RnB downstairs, and then a mixture of live music and cheese/old-school/German pop out the back. OK yeah it sounds bad but it reminds me of England, OK?
b) cheap drinks - Jägermeister for €2, they even do Jägerbombs here - LOL. Come onnnnn, what's not to love?

There are obviously many negative points, one of these being that you won't have fun unless you are "battered" for want of a better word and also that it does have some real freaks hanging around, as well as lots of stag parties, etc. If you're a girl and you've got your wits about you, you will notice that the combination of the sunken dancefloor and the raised seating area downstairs basically turns it into a viewing gallery for men, who just lurk around staring at girls dancing, giving you the unnerving feeling that you are in a shop window. Having said that, there are also a lot of students and normal enough people in here - it's not the freak show that others have implied.

The cloakroom queue can also be massive but then the plus side is that the queue outside is a) well-controlled and b) shorter than most others as the place is so huge.

Basically, if you are drunk and "flexible with your standards" then you will have a cracking night in Thomas Read. It's like a playground for the inebriated. And for this reason I recommend it wholeheartedly.

Was here once in all the years I've been in Hamburg. Nothing special. Only reason though for a couple stars is that we saw some bands play live and the room was good for this. We were downstairs the whole time. Upstairs is quite boring and forgettable. Very mixed crowd and definitely something where I say I must come back. If going for the music, then OK. Otherwise, you can easily avoid this place and not miss much.

My hand was forced, and I had to set foot in The Thomas Read to watch the Rugby World Cup semi, and England's triumph over France, because Finnegan's Wake was too damn busy.

This is by far the worst pub I've been to in Hamburg. Chavs of all nationalities sway menacingly with glasses in hand, and you get the feeling that you're one misplaced glance away from a trip to hospital. It's hot, sweaty, and just downright unpleasant really. The bouncers have metal detectors! That says it all really.

I would advise you to avoid at all costs.

This is the first place I got asked for ID in Germany...Which of course I didn't have on me.
It's packed and almost impossible to get served especially when most of your fellow punters sit a good 2 feet higher then you and your the shortest ass in there.
There's lots of English and Irish slime balls over for a rowdy night in Hamburg, to be honest as a girl I wouldn't go here without having a nice big group of male friends with me...that is unless getting leered at and harassed at every turn is your Idea of fun.
The music is cheesy and the pub displayed horrible football style bad sportsmanship after the Rugby by declaring 'Tough Shitt!' over the intercom to the French who had lost that night..
I had a great night out here non the less but only because I was with my very own rugby team to ensure I didn't meet any unpleasantness.
Too many Brits and Irish in here for my liking...rowdy chavs and drunk idiots.
Would only come again is forced to!

English homesickness? Here you feel at home right away! 3 different rooms provide live sports boardcast, r n´b/hiphop and live music. Short performances are abundant.
International, fun atmosphere as well as the beverage variety.
Good place to meet up before clubbing, but after a few shots you might stay...