Top Gaming Spots in Reading

Reading is a great place to be for a night out or a day out. No matter what you’re into, the town has it all. From historical sights like Reading Abbey and Mapledurham House to beautiful nature in Forbury Gardens and along the picturesque Kennet riverbank, you’re never far away from interesting things to see. 

Fans of the arts are catered for in droves, with galleries galore and the award-winning Reading Rep Theatre. If you’re feeling hungry, then Reading has everything from famous fast food to cosy gastropubs, with a sprinkling of Michelin-starred restaurants for anyone with a more refined taste. 

As the sun goes down and the stars come out, Reading transforms as bustling bars, pubs, and clubs cater to every taste with great food, live music, and side-splitting comedy. 

Reading also caters heavily to gamers. No matter what you’re into, be it Magic the Gathering, Minecraft, or Manhunt, you’ll find it on offer right across Reading. So if you’re looking for somewhere to enjoy your favourite games or meet like-minded people who share your passions, then here are the top spots to check out in the town. 

Eclectic Games

Eclectic Games is a games shop located on Union Street. On its shelves, you’ll find practically every kind of game you could possibly want to buy, including board games, card games, jigsaws, puzzles, and miniatures. 

But Eclectic Games is much more than just a brick-and-mortar store for buying your latest Pokemon cards. It’s a bustling hub for Reading’s thriving gaming scene. 

Every single day, Eclectic Games hosts events that cater to every gaming taste. These include regular board game nights, Magic the Gathering events, tutorials on how to play popular games like Dungeons and Dragons, and hours of Star Wars gaming. 

Whether you’re there for the games, the socialising, or the atmosphere, Eclectic Games is a must-visit. 

Little Vegas Reading

In towns and cities around the world, you’ll find small communities like Chinatown and Little Venice where expats from other nations come together in a home-from-home to celebrate their cultures through food, language, dress, and spending time together.

Little Vegas Reading is just like this, a casino that celebrates the best of Nevada’s most famous city. 

Casino games have enjoyed a resurgence in recent years thanks to leading brands like PokerStars Casino that have created digital versions of classic slot and table games with a mix of modern twists. For example, rather than just one variant of the game, you’ll find several types of blackjack online, such as High Roller and Premium, that offer different rules, limits, and side bets. 

Little Vegas is a small casino in the heart of Reading that attracts like-minded gamers who want to share their passion for having a flutter, making it a great social spot.

MeetspaceVR

In Thatcham, just 12 miles from the centre of Reading is MeetspaceVR. This purpose-built facility is a step into a whole new dimension of gaming through virtual reality. 

Using the latest VR technology, you can enjoy a wide range of different gaming experiences designed to cater to all tastes and both individual players and groups. 

Strap on a headset and enter the Meetspace in games like Cyberpunk, Mission Sigma, Jungle Quest, and Chernobyl. These virtual reality escape rooms take the traditional escape room concept to a new level by creating a new level of realism and immersion. 

Alternatively, the free roam games like Dead Ahead, Arrowsong, Syber Shock, and Quantum Arena allow you to battle with friends in a mix of different futuristic and historic settings. 

If you’d prefer some more mainstream video games, then MeetspaceVR also has you covered. You’ll find premium titles like Far Cry VR, Outbreak, Singularity, and Undead Arena available for either a single 30-minute session or two consecutive 15-minute sessions of two of these games. 

While you can buy your own headset to play at home, venues like MeetspaceVR offer an experience that is a cut above your living room. In addition to having the best technology and a great social experience, the greater freedom to roam safely while you’re wearing a headset means you can enjoy playing more without the fear of punching your TV.