Welcome to Leicester’s premier nightlife guide.
On this page, you’ll discover the vibrant and varied nightlife scene in Leicester. You’ll find the perfect venue for you and your preferred night out. Whether you want to go all-out clubbing or if you’d like a more laid back dinner and drinks with a view, we’ve got your covered.
Enjoy!
An Intro to Leicester
The 2016 midyear estimate of the population of the City of Leicester unitary authority was 348,300, an increase of approximately 18,500 (Increase 5.6%) from the 2011 census figure of 329,839, making it the most populous municipality in the East Midlands region. The associated urban area is also the 11th most populous in England and the 13th most populous in the United Kingdom. Leicester is at the intersection of two major railway lines – the north/south Midland Main Line and the east/west Birmingham to London Stansted Cross-country line; as well as the confluence of the M1/M69 motorways and the A6/A46 trunk routes. Leicester is the home to football club Leicester City and rugby club Leicester Tigers.
The city hosts annually a Caribbean Carnival and parade (the largest in the UK outside London), Diwali celebrations, the largest comedy festival in the UK Leicester Comedy Festival and a Pride Parade (Leicester Pride). Belgrave Road, not far from the city center, is colloquially known as “The Golden Mile” because of the number of Jewellers. The Leicester International Short Film Festival is an annual event; it commenced in 1996 under the banner title of “Seconds Out”. It has become one of the most important short film festivals in the UK and usually runs in early November, with venues including the Phoenix Square.
Leicester has the second largest economy in the East Midlands, after Nottingham. Companies that have their principal offices or significant sites in Leicester and the surrounding area includes; Brantano Footwear, Dunelm Mill, Next, Shoe Zone, Everards brewing and associated, KPMG, Mazars, Cambridge & Counties Bank, HSBC and Santander banking, Hastings Insurance, British Gas, British Telecom, Caterpillar (Inc.), Topps Tiles and DHL.
The city has historically had a strong association with the production of textiles, clothing, and shoes. While important companies such as Corah, Liberty Shoes and Equity Shoes have closed, companies such as Next and Boden are still active in the city. Moreover, in recent years the higher transport prices and longer lead-times associated with globalized production in Asia mean some textile manufacturers are locating to the city.
The Nightlife
A bustling metropolis in East Midlands, Leicester is noted as the 10th biggest city in the UK, fronting a thriving cultural and ‘things to do’ scene. Birthplace of a number of national treasures – inclusive of Richard and David Attenborough, Gary Lineker, and perhaps most importantly, a one Engelbert Humperdinck – the city has a lot to shout about. Case in point; the eclectic offering of bars, clubs, and pubs in Leicester. Whether it’s a cocktail hangout, a late-night dive bar or one of the city’s buzzing student clubs – here we have searched high and low to bring you the very best of Leicester.
Escape Reality
Escape Reality is the ultimate real-life gaming experience in Leicester City, that have 6 immersive escape experiences where teams of 2 – 6 players must solve a series of challenging puzzles to escape in 60 minutes! They can accommodate large groups of up to 36 people comfortably inside their rooms and have a large social area with an exclusive bar.
Escape Asylum
Leicester’s first live escape games! ASYLUM: You have been caught trespassing on an abandoned asylum and the spirit of Evelyn has trapped you in. She will not let you out until you have solved her murder. Solve or perish, the choice is yours. CIRQUE DU SLAY: The circus is back in town. However, all is not what it seems… It’s the prize act? An evil clown with a thirst for blood! Can you escape before you start in his line-up? CABIN: Cabin is home to an eyeless monster by the name of Eyeball Bill! After losing his eyes in a freak game of poker, the legend was created! Curiosity makes you enter, can you escape before he returns to claim your eyes?
Caddyshackers
Caddyshackers is the biggest, best and ONLY 18 hole, 18+, crazy golf bar in Leicester. If you are sick of tedious nights out and want something original to do with your buddies, then let me tell you that, you are in the right place. Whatever you do, just make sure you are doing it at the craziest crazy golf course in this fair city: Caddyshackers is a strictly 18+ venue, hence, kids are not allowed.
Thurlaston Airgun & Archery Centre
Archery and Airgun Shooting is absolutely suitable for those with no experience as well as for those who experienced target sports enthusiasts. They offer ‘pay to play’ facilities for those with their own equipment on both the Archery and Airgun, as well as a variety of experiences for those wishing to try Archery or Airgun shooting for the first time. They usually offer reduced rates during school holidays for youngsters and their accompanying adults.
Rebel Paintball
Paintball is one of the fastest paced team sports in the country, combining stealth, speed, and skill with adrenaline-fuelled tactics. This means you are assured of a frenetic group game that is massively enjoyable for individuals and parties alike! It is therefore essential that your paintballing experience is hugely enjoyable and leaves you wanting more – and that’s exactly what they aim to provide at Rebel Paintball.
Best Bars in Leicester
Digging further deep into the domain of the nightlife fun activities and specifically crossing the boundaries of premium night-time adult entertainment. When you go out and about enjoying the nightlife of the city, chances are pretty high that you would also want to enjoy the finest brews of the bars. Leicester City has some of the great Bars, which can really impress you with some of their tantalizing brews.
Gate 38
This bar is unusual too. It is themed around features of an airplane. You can sit in real life airplane seats with your friends and loved ones which act as booths with a table in the middle. There are even airplane windows to really set the scene. Open from 9 pm to 3:30 am this quirky little bar is great to start off your night or finish up here. Signs all around the bar carry the airport theme too. You really need to see the inside of this club to enjoy the concept!.
Wygston’s House
Leicester’s oldest standing house. It has recently been converted into a bar and restaurant. It is a part of Leicester’s history. Located in the heart of the city’s historic old town; serving ale, beer, and high-end food. The medieval timber frames give the restaurant an authentic and rustic feel.
The Bottle Garden
The Bottle Garden is Leicester’s newest ‘Urban Garden’ Bar. Everyone enjoys sitting in the garden with a nice drink in the sun under the open sky. Unfortunately, in England, the sun does not come out that much so they are limited to only maybe a month of outdoors drinking. However, the bottle garden replicates this feeling. Being able to sip your drink in the garden but in the warmth, and also you are not just limited to a Pimms as they have an extensive list of cocktails that unless you are a professional cocktail maker, you can’t just whip up at home! It really does feel like you are in a trendy urban garden with lush greenery on the walls, trees and plants and herbs in pots. There are even plants hanging from the ceiling.
Hakamou
Next is Leicester’s own Pacific Island Paradise Hakamou. They offer some extraordinary drinks whilst you relax and live the island life. It is a special kind of place where you must see it to believe it. You find yourself drinking out of coconuts, seashells or even a pineapple, flower necklaces around your necks and partying on under the Hawaiian-like hut. The drinks are not as normal as there something you won’t have experienced before. They contain freshly sliced exotic fruits, rums, and homemade syrups. The island lifestyle even dictates that they give you extra-long straws so you don’t have to even waste your energy picking up your drink!.
The Queen of Bradgate
The Queen of Bradgate has just launched a brand new Ping Pong area located upstairs. The Queen of Bradgate is a thriving bar with gastro pub style food offering, a vast range of cocktails, real ales, live music every weekend and 3 bars spread over 2 floors. From the very traditional looking outside, the only clue to what lies within are the craft beer, Brooklyn and Duel, neon signs above the front doors. As you enter you find a traditional looking pub with a twist a Gin bar to the left, full-on cask ale and craft beer bar dominating the main room and a secret upstairs bar specializing in Rum. This place has an understated elegance about it. You are met with a copper bar, red velvet booth seating, bare brick walls, blue and gold velvet drapes, a large dance floor, a private lounge area and, low and behold, 3 full-size ping pong tables. It is a great space for live music, ping pong, private parties, and cocktail masterclasses. They have also just launched a Vintage Cinema too!
Best Restaurants in Leicester
When you are out and about enjoying cocktails, chances are pretty high that at some point you are going to crave for the deliciously exotic food. Leicester’s restaurant scene is killing it since long, but sometimes you just want to go to a neighborhood bar, watch the game, and chow down on some delicious food. Fortunately, there are a bunch of bars slinging good eats alongside good and tasty drinking options. With Leicester’s culinary senses continuing to grow and innovate and surprise the residents and tourists, it’s no wonder that restaurant bar programs are a great option to hang out.
Knight and Garter
After six months and £1.4 million of refurbishments, the venue (formerly Molly O’Grady’s) opened in May – and the transformation is worth a wow. The bar area is bright and moody with well-chosen furnishings, and the brasserie-style restaurant is sleek and stylish. As well as stocking a carefully selected array of spirits – 90 percent of which you won’t find in another Leicester bar – Knight and Garter is the first place in the Midlands to serve the unpasteurized, unfiltered Budweiser Budvar Kräusened – which got a firm thumbs up from us. The main menu has an emphasis on beef, sourced from Owen Taylor in Derbyshire. All in all, the best location for food and drinks.
Grounded Kitchen
This eatery may be felt a bit small, but it has proved massively popular since its opening. Dominating the wall, the words ‘Love, life, eat’ reflect the thinking behind this place – about being grounded as an individual and having balance in life. It’s the creation of Leicester-born businessman Ahmed Kidy, who had spent time in Korea, where he was amazed by the delicious food. Grounded Kitchen focuses on Korean-inspired, nutrient-rich nourish bowls, which are packed full of delicious vegetables, healthy fats, and quality proteins to make a filling meal. Everything is freshly prepared each day, with fruit and vegetables from the wholesale market at Freemans Common, fresh – never frozen – meat, and all sauces made in-house.
Cured at the Cookie
The Leicester cured meat specialist, which was originally based at Brewdog, moved into its new home in August. This place is run by two talented chefs – Martin Powdrill and Oliver Norman – Cured aims to bring back the lost art of home curing meats, using the best local produce and mixing classic techniques with modern styles. You would be blown away by the food that this place offers- including the innovative home cures of gin and blueberry cured salmon, rum and orange cured duck, and bourbon and maple bacon. All in all, it’s a great option for food and booze.
The Fish and The Chip
The Fish and The Chip is another restaurant from Leicester that offers exotic food. It serves British comfort food and playful cocktails, with an emphasis on creating a fun dining experience in a relaxed and romantic environment. You would also be amazed by the second incarnation of the menu, which was launched in November – especially the children’s offerings, including fantastic mocktails, chips served in cute buckets, decorate your own biscuits, and a fabulous Leicester coloring sheet.
Best Nightclubs in Leicester
One of the best things about Leicester is its nightlife – the compact city offers a great variety of pubs of nightclubs for visitors to choose from. But not all clubs are created equal, so here is our list of the very finest nights out in Leicester. The city has got some great nightclubs that will deliver great drinks and a convenient, attractive, upscale location when it comes to high profile guests, top-notch music. No matter where you end up sitting in this city, you’ll surely find great drinks, music, and the chance to show your lit moves, which is really what it’s all about. Hop into the following clubs to enjoy the above experience
Club Helsinki
Club Helsinki is one of the most prominent clubs in Leicester, and feasting of late night antics, Club Helsinki doesn’t suffer from the blistering cold of Scandinavia, it’s brimming with party heat. Joined by DJ Rob Lambeth, spinning a sweet selection of contemporary hits and commercial favorites, it can be regarded as the best place for drinking and dancing in Leicester.
The Fan Club
Famous as one of the most affordable clubs in Leicester, and a must-try for those looking for premium nightlife entertainment on a budget, The Fan Club is a roaring night on the Leicester tiles. With 2-4-1 drinks applying all Friday long, and the dance floor turning into a beat-heavy mash of commercial favorites and party hits, this 1000 strong club is brimming with fun.
Ghost
This thrilling tequila bar in Leicester is a great place to dance your heart out and lose your head for a great night of wild antics. It has a spacious dance floor and swanky red sofa seats mean that once you’ve danced until you’ve dropped, you can sink into some comfort up until the morning. This is up there with the best of the late night bars in Leicester.
Mosh
For the people seeking the alternative nightlife scene should know better than to go anywhere other than MOSH. It is a veritable wonderland of alternative beats, indie jives and pop-punk playing about, this three-floor haven is a must-try for those that like their pocket-friendly drinks it is a must to try place because of the affordability that it offers.
Conclusion
To conclude things a little bit, it can be said that Leicester has a pretty awesome nightlife. To start, we went through a brief history of the city along with the details of how it came into being. We also discussed some of the places to enjoy the best nightlife entertainment in the city.
Coming to the adult nightlife of the city, we established how easy it is to find a good bar to enjoy with your friends or family or a date. Such bars could really offer some great pre-made cocktails for you or you could just ask for a special drink to be served especially for you.
To cater to your hunger needs we also suggested some of the finest restaurants in Leicester that offer exotic and delicious food along with your favorite drinks. You can really enjoy the taste of good food along with some great booze. And lastly, we went through a comprehensive list of Nightclubs that offered great music with some delightfully exotic options for drinks and cocktail that will polish your overall experience.
Make sure to check out the above recommendations whenever you visit Leicester so that you won’t miss the best options.
