Leicester

One of the lesser known and visited cities in the Midlands, Leicester’s quiet exterior hides some of the best nights out to be had anywhere in the country. A mass of bars and clubs both on and off the beaten track mean you’ll never have to be in a rammed place…unless you want to that is! With pretty much every taste in music represented you’ll be hard pushed not to find somewhere to have a good time. A good selection of music events are also to be had all year round, from the summer indie-folk festival ‘Summer Sundae Weekender’ at De Montford Hall, to the massive drum and bass event, ‘Form Finesse’, held at University of Leicester several times a year.

Pubs
Aside from the obvious chain pubs, which are plentiful, in the pubs and bar department it really is a question of what’s your flavour. In liquor is your lust, Vodka Revolution on New Walk is perhaps one of your destinations. The more money minded of you however would be better heading off to R Bar on Granby Street where the unique selection of £1 shooters will have you falling off bar stools in no time. If you’re tipple of choice is ale, Out of the Vaults should certainly be on your map, as its choice of local real ales and ciders is unrivalled across the city. Over towards De Montford University, Sumo is a popular, often running various drink offers from pound a drink to an alcoholic stock exchange. Those who party harder than most would be wise to check out The Basement. Opening late, this bar caters for those who can’t get enough of a good thing and thus can open til as late as 6am on Fridays and Saturdays. The most scenic venue award however goes to The Soar Point. De Montford Uni’s local, part of its charm is the fact its part of the Scream pub chain, meaning cheap drinks all day, everyday. However, the real pull is its balcony that looks out onto the canal. There’s nothing nicer than enjoying a pint and watching the ducks and swans pass by. Of course this is only the tip of the iceberg, and asking around you’ll soon discover everyone has their favourite.

Clubs
Leicester’s two largest clubs are Zanzibar and Liquid/Envy. Each hold their own student nights and as such play a variety of popular music that’s ideal for a good night out. If cheesy tunes aren’t your thing though, there are many other smaller clubs that will give you an equally good night. Everything from Rock to R’n’B, Blues to Bangra is on offer. Dance fans will love Life, situated just outside of the city centre, and PO NA NA also offers a range of nights offering a variety of nights.  However anyone with a mind for rock, metal and indie is really spoilt for choice. The lighter side of things are dealt with by The Fan Club which is a top contender on student nights as well as being popular on Saturdays. If you prefer things harder edged, Leicester Square provides various nights, including Panic on Fridays and the ultra hard Retribution on Saturday. Just dress in black and don’t look back! Your rocking time in Leicester however is not complete without a trip to MOSH. Tuesday student nights are an excellent night, with drink offers, indie and dance floors and a downstairs open mic night in the coolest, gothy looking bar around. Wednesdays are all about rock and metal.

Venues
Due to the close proximity of Nottingham, Sheffield and Birmingham, Leicester tends to be a little ignored in music terms. However this fact belies the fact there are many excellent venues in Leicester. De Montford Hall does play host to some gigs to long established acts, who in the past year have included Motorhead, Kasabian and The Manic Street Preachers.
Both universities play host to a variety of bands, and in the past year the University of Leicester has been visited by Zero 7, The Automatic and a secret gig by Arctic Monkeys. For up and coming acts, head down to The Charlotte. This is the place to be for the best in rising music, and their walls are lined with adverts for famous bands who have passed through their doors. The Kooks, The Subways and Enter Shikari have all played there in past few years just before they went massive.
Finally, while a numerous small venues such as The Shed exist, for a miniscule venue head to The Attic. It’s not just a clever name! Set in a dodgy alley in a tiny building this peanut of a venue plays host to some of the dirtiest blues and raucous tunes around. Definitely worth experiencing! 
 


In terms of safety, in the Highfields area – although many students live there and get on fine - it’s always worth being wary of your surroundings. Perhaps the biggest danger in Leicester is Victoria Park. This is a large park behind the University of Leicester with shaded leafy pathways and large areas often used for university sports as well as people sunbathing. This is great for taking a summer strolls in during the day, but at night the park becomes quite dangerous. Several people a year are mugged or attacked coming and going from University nights, and due to how wide the park is some have even been mugged in the day time. As with any night out, as long as you stick to lit areas and stay in a group, things should be fine.

Leicester offers pretty much every shop a fashionable student could need. From the budget Primark and H&M, to Topshop and Top Man, to the more expensive likes of Envy and Joy, Leicester has everything you need to decimate your student overdaft! It’s the boutique clothes shops however where Leicester shines. Here emerging designers produce truly unique and cool clothes…and not all of them will break the bank! Ladies check out Motel on the High Street for excellent priced fashion, while indie kids should head over to The Wardrobe for a mixture of new and reclaimed fashion.
All major high street shops are represented in Leicester’s two shopping centres, including HMV and Virgin Megastore for all your music and entertainment needs.

And practically every hobby is catered for in the city too. Skate shops, scuba and surf gear and martial arts shops all around if you search, while Maplins is there for those interested in cheap electronics and is very helpful for engineering student requirements. Musicians will be pleased to know there are several music shops, the best of which is Sound Control situated on the edge of the city. Finally, for everyone’s inner geek, Forbidden Planet sells a variety of sci-fi and TV based collectables that ranges from comics to lightsabres!

Leicester has a vibrant music scene. However, few bands from the area have really made it to the big time. Kasabian are the remarkable exception. This much respected band have deep roots in the area. As such they will often organise secret gigs and warm up performances in numerous city venues. And, if you know where to look, you can also find the band drinking in some of the more exclusive drinking venues, such as The Case champagne bar. Be warned though, if you go looking for them fill up your wallet first! 

Leicester local Thomas Cook was the first person to organise a package holiday in 1841. The destination? Loughborough, 11 miles away!

Leicester is home to both football and rugby teams. Leicester City FC currently reside in the first division, Leicester Tigers ride high in the rugby union league. And as Leicester Tigers provide around a fifth of the England rugby team, there’s a good chance of bumping into a rugby international walking around Leicester.

Leicestershire is full of culinary delights, being voted best curry city of the UK for 2007. On a less healthy note, is it also the home of Walkers Crisps.

Red Leicester cheese and the original Pork pie, made in Melton Mowbray.   

Other famous Leicesterfarians (really, that’s what locals are called!) include ex- England football player and TV presenter Gary Lineker, star of ER and Bend it Like Beckham Parminder Nagra and music crooner Engelberg Humperdinck