De Montfort Hall
@demontforthall
www.demontforthall.co.uk
Leicester’s grand civic concert hall sits on the shoulder of Leicester University, gazing out on to the city’s fine Victoria Park.
It’s played host to acts ranging from the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, to REM and the Pixies, to Amy Winehouse and Sam Fender, and though its recent track record with gig bookings hasn’t offered much to quicken the pulse of anyone under the age of 50, it welcomes all manner of other good stuff, from crowd-pleasing theatre shows to top TV comedians.
Stand-up shows this autumn and winter include Richard Ayoade, Phil Wang and Chris Ramsey, plus a very welcome dip into music’s present tense with a hometown show by up-and-coming Leicester band The Mercians.
Curve
@CurveLeicester
www.curveonline.co.uk
Leicester’s striking ‘inside-out’ theatre, which was designed to pull back the architectural curtains of a playhouse to allow audiences to get an idea of what goes on behind the scenes. It’s a firmly established stop-off point for major touring plays and musicals but also has an enviable record when it comes to developing and producing its own shows.
Upcoming shows include The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime, Blood Brothers, the Curve Christmas show Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and the Olivier Award-winning Punch. Pick up a free student loyalty card for discounts on tickets and drinks at the Curve bar.
O2 Academy
@O2AcadLeicester
www.academymusicgroup.com/o2academyleicester
Two gig venues (capacity 1,400 and 500) built into Leicester University’s Students’ Union as part of a multi-million refurb of the original 1950s building back in 2011.
The O2 hosts gigs, club nights, comedy and the annual Uprising metal festival.
The Academy Music Group’s management of the venue ends in December, when the lease runs out. Leicester University have yet to announce a new operator.
The Y Theatre
@TheYTheatre
www.leicesterymca.co.uk/theatre
The oldest surviving theatre in Leicester dates back to the Victorian era and offers a programme that takes in comedy, music and more. You’ll find it right by the railway station.
In the next few weeks, the Y hosts gigs by comedians including Catherine Bohart, Sindhu Vee, Daniel Foxx and Josh Pugh.
The Little Theatre
@thelittleleics
www.thelittletheatre.co.uk
The stage where Richard Attenborough took the first steps of his acting career is home turf for the Leicester Drama Society.
The Little Theatre – find it off Granby Street – puts on a panto each year, and also hosts gigs during the Leicester Comedy Festival.
The Donkey
@thedonkey.live
thedonkeylive.co.uk
Revived Leicester pub venue in the Welford Road, on the south side of the city, near the Leicester University campus. After closing its doors in 2024, it’s had a £400,000 revamp, with the brothers behind The Cradock and the Clarry now at the helm. The Donkey is a family affair: gigs will be booked by father and son, Gaz and Jordan Birtles. They’re safe hands: veteran Leicester musician Gaz (who played sax for the Beautiful South, among other groups) promoted music at the previous incarnation of the Donkey; Jordan is in Hard Life.
Forum Porcorum
@forumporcorum
Royal Blood, George Ezra, Blossoms, Wolf Alice, Russell Howard, Romesh Ranganathan, Katherine Ryan and Tom Allen … you’ve missed them all at this cafe/bar/venue on Leicester’s High Street previously known as the Cookie.
A few years back it was taken over by the Big Difference, the charity behind the Leicester Comedy Festival, and the booking programme shifted chiefly to stand-up. But when the charity went bust earlier this summer, a crowd-funding campaign put the place in the hands of the venue manager, who is planning a relaunch, under the ancient name for Leicester’s High Street.
The Soundhouse
@The_Sound_House
www.thesoundhouseleicester.co.uk
Independent rock venue a short walk from the railway station. ‘Proper old spit and shine rocker venue’ according to a review on Facebook.
Firebug
@FirebugBar
firebugbar.net
Bar and 100-capacity venue, near to the DMU campus, in the old Gas Offices building on Horsefair Street, which has hosted gigs by Foals and Frank Turner and shows by Stewart Lee, Russell Howard and more as part of the Leicester Comedy Festival. Celya AB (“one of the most gifted joke writers of her age” – Chortle) plays Firebug on October 28.
2Funky Music Complex
@2funkymusiccomplex
2funkycomplex.co.uk
Multi-room venue, just off Braunstone Gate, offering student nights, open mics, reggae, Afrobeat, dancehall and more.
Attenborough Arts
@AttenboroughAC
attenborougharts.com
Leicester University’s public arts venue, which offers a mix of performances (comedy, poetry and jazz), exhibitions and courses. Thumbs up for the cafe too.
The Phoenix
@PhoenixLeic
www.phoenix.org.uk
Leicester’s indie cinema – one of the biggest in the UK – with an ace cafe to boot. Well worth the schlep to the other side of town, especially as film tickets for students will only set you back £5.
Sally Cinnamon’s
@sally_cinnamons_music_venue
Underground indie bar and venue in Cank Street.
The Mattioli Arena
https://www.leicesterarena.co.uk/whats-on
Home to the Leicester Riders, but also hosts darts, snooker and occasional gigs. Next up: Indian comedian Sunil Grover, playback singer Jubin Nautiyal (on a unlikely tour schedule of Leicester, Wembley, Boston and Atlantic City) and former Kasabian frontman Tom Meighan, marking the 20th anniversary of the band’s album, Empire.
The International
https://www.the-international.co.uk/
Tucked away from sight in a dogleg on Garden Street, near St Margaret’s bus station, the International puts on tribute acts, rising bands, jazz, folk, rock, blues and whatever it fancies. More power to its elbow.
Showcase Cinema de Lux
www.showcasecinemas.co.uk
The nearest – and swishest – cinema to DMU. All the big new releases, and pretty much right on your doorstep. If you’re closer to the Leicester University campus, say hello to the Odeon.
