| The diversity of ethnicities and cultures in Leicester | | | | £13. Moving away from the Belgrave Road and |
| makes it one of the most varied and vibrant cities in | | | | into the city centre, there is the Opera House, which |
| the country. The substantial Asian community has | | | | is by the Cathedral in Guildhall Lane. This is well known |
| brought with it many interesting events which the | | | | for its imaginative menus and the sumptuous building |
| city enjoys supporting. Complementing the traditional | | | | in which it is housed. Alongside the market in Hotel |
| Christian festivities Leicester now also celebrates | | | | Street is The Case, another stylish and contemporary |
| festivities such as Holi, Diwali, Eid-ul-Fitr and of course | | | | restaurant, which also has a champagne bar in which |
| the Chinese New Year. | | | | you can order snacks and light meals. Although |
| Bars and Pubs: | | | | technically a bar and restaurant, Mobius, on |
| Partly due to it having two large universities close by | | | | Braunstone Gate, serves an excellent mix of |
| the city centre, Leicester city's bars and clubs are | | | | Mediterranean and Thai cuisine. It's a relaxing place to |
| numerous and give a thriving and pulsating feeling to | | | | eat and produces authentic flavours for the regional |
| it. Bar and club names can change quite frequently, | | | | food it produces by using only the best produce. |
| but this helps to keep the sense of vibrancy in the | | | | Entertainment: |
| city in that there is always something new on offer. | | | | The De Montfort Hall is probably the best known |
| The Firebug is probably as complete a pub | | | | venue Leicester has, almost a 'trade-mark' venue for |
| experience as you can get anywhere. The NME | | | | the city. Built in 1913 and recently refurbished, it can |
| student guide for 2005 described it as "A real find for | | | | accommodate an audience of 1500 seated or up to |
| blinding food, beer, tough pub quizzes and lots of live | | | | 2200 standing. As well as the indoor hall there is an |
| music." Here there is food to complement the 157 | | | | outdoor amphitheatre that can house up to 5000. It |
| drinks lines they sell, regular live music, access to | | | | has played host to classical, jazz, blues, folk, rock and |
| 'WiFi' throughout the premises and Pub Quizzes. | | | | pop music as well as being a venue for touring |
| Firebug is on Millstone Lane between the Council | | | | musical shows. In recent years it has also been |
| Offices and the old Town Hall. The Bambu, on the | | | | increasingly used for conferences and exhibitions. |
| Welford Road below the Council Offices, describes | | | | The Haymarket theatre in Leicester was one of the |
| itself as a relaxing café lounge bar blending | | | | well known repertory theatres in the country. Closed |
| mystery and sophistication without pretence. The | | | | at present, a new theatre is currently being built on |
| Aqualounge on Wellington Street, more or less | | | | Halford Street which is due to open in spring 2007. |
| opposite the Council Offices is a bar, club and | | | | However, complications in the building programme |
| restaurant on 3 floors in one building, with | | | | look as if that opening date will now be postponed. |
| Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights being the | | | | The Phoenix Arts Centre on Newarke Street is a |
| club nights. Moving away from the area around the | | | | small community venue providing a wide variety of |
| Council offices, in Braunstone Gate, there's the Loaf | | | | entertainments. It is mainly used for showing films |
| which styles itself as a pub to 'loaf around in', | | | | and hosting touring comedy and musical acts. |
| slow-down, have a drink and let the world go by. If | | | | However, it can also be used for theatrical plays and |
| you want a traditional city centre pub, then head for | | | | musical productions. There is, of course, a café |
| the Globe on Silver Street. Built in 1720 it serves fine | | | | bar, which also hosts musical performances. |
| draught ales, decent food and has a warm and | | | | For live music, apart from at the De Montfort Hall, |
| charming atmosphere. | | | | The Charlotte on Oxford Street is probably the |
| Restaurants: | | | | biggest and best known. A fledgling Oasis played here |
| There is in Leicester what is known as the 'Golden | | | | many years ago! This is the venue in Leicester where |
| Mile' of Asian food, to which people are drawn from | | | | you'll first see the up and coming 'Indie' bands. |
| miles around for a truly authentic Asian eating | | | | There are currently some 13 nightclubs to choose |
| experience. The Golden Mile is centred along the | | | | from in Leicester. Worth mentioning here is the Po Na |
| Belgrave Road, leading north out of the city from the | | | | Na, which apart from its interesting name, is well |
| Haymarket bus station. Some people would say the | | | | known for being the place to go for Funk and House |
| nearer to the bus station a place is, the better the | | | | music. Two floors with two separate sound systems |
| restaurant will be. Friends is an award winning | | | | make this a savvy and party spirited place to be. Po |
| Tandoori restaurant with main courses ranging from | | | | Na Na is in Carey Close near the Jewry Wall. |
| only £5 to £12. Nearby is Sanjay's Curry | | | | Leicester has three comedy clubs; Jongleurs (Granby |
| Pot which specialises in the Indian/Portuguese cuisine | | | | Street), Ship of Fools (using a variety of stages |
| of the Goa region in India. It is one of the oldest | | | | including the Phoenix Arts Centre, and Bottle Rocket |
| established Asian restaurants in Leicester; prices for a | | | | (at the Firebug bar). |
| main course are typically between £5 and | | | | |