The best student bars and clubs in Leicester
Get scrolling and familiarise yourself with the best Leicester student clubs and bars ahead of freshers to impress your newfound mates and make the most of what will be a crazy week!
Last updated: 16th Sep 2024
Originally published: 30th Aug 2022
So you've chosen Leicester as your destination for Uni, and we can tell you now you've made a great choice, mainly as the home of the Foxes is a city teeming with students and incredible nights out! With so many bars and clubs that cater to a whole host of different tastes, the city's nightlife offerings may be overwhelming to you (especially if you've just moved from a sleepy countryside village.)
But do not worry! We are here to help. We have narrowed down the very best on offer in Leicester into a list that will help you in Freshers Week and beyond. So get scrolling and start planning that awesome first week, who knows the knowledge you gain may impress those soon-to-be best friends that you are living with!
Image: The Fan Club on Facebook
Where: 40 Abbey St, Leicester LE1 3TD
Renowned as one of Leicester's most affordable clubs, The Fan Club is the go-to for many of Leicester’s students looking to enjoy a night out on the cheap.
The DJs spin a quality set of tunes with nights focused on the 80s and 90s, from Ibiza Anthems to indie bangers, and the constant student offers are always a plus. With sprawling dance floors across its three floors, this 1,000-capacity club will be one you’ll undoubtedly spend a lot of time in as a student in the city.
Find tickets for events at The Fan Club - here
MOSH
Image: MOSH on Facebook
Where: 37 St.Nicholas Pl, Leicester LE1 4LD
A wicked night out and a guaranteed big hit for the indie heads amongst you, MOSH is Leicester's most popular alternative club. Offering up a mashup of classic indie hits, pop-punk throwbacks and a range of other alternative beats, the three-floors of the student favourite will have you singing your heart out until the early hours.
With cheap prices and constant student deals, it's a perfect place to go out and not have to worry about the impending (or the worsening) overdraft. Whilst there is the chance for it to get rowdy (the place is called Mosh for god sake) it's always in good spirits and with exceptional vibes, a great Leicester student club.
Image: Firebug on Facebook
Where: 1 Millstone Ln, Leicester LE1 5JN
Situated on Millstone Lane, a short walk from the DMU campus, Firebug triples as a restaurant, bar, and music venue and is a firm favourite amongst Leicester student clubs.
With a variety of student-focused nights as well as some cool unique events such as movie nights and themed quizzes, it serves up a great time for any and all who walk through its doors. There's a huge range of craft beer and cocktails, but we would definitely recommend one of their A&E shots (the name says all you need to know.)
Find tickets for events at Firebug - HERE
2Funky Complex - 2Funky Cafe, 2Funky Lounge, 2Funky Street Kitchen
Image: 2Funky Lounge on Facebook
Where: 23 New Park St, Leicester LE3 5NH
A short walk from the DMU campus, the 2Funky complex features three venues, all with different offerings.
As a student, you'll probably be mostly inclined towards the nights at the 2Funky Lounge, a club that hosts regular bouncing events in both its indoor space and on its terrace (pictured above). However, the Cafe is also a quality club space that hosts your more regular club nights, with an emphasis on the throwbacks. Whereas the Street Kitchen does what it says on the tin, and has a revolving door of cool food-focused events.
As a student, there's loads to sink your teeth into across the three spaces, and they even host student nights from time to time, so keep an eye out!
Find tickets for events at 2Funky Cafe - HERE
Find tickets for events at 2Funky Lounge - HERE
Find tickets for events at 2Funky Street Kitchen - HERE
Image: The Counting House on Facebook
Where: 40 Almond Rd, Leicester LE2 7LH
A great spot, particularly for the Uni of students, The Counting House offers amazingly priced bevs so you can make that loan stretch, alongside immaculate vibes and an extensive drinks selection. But, amongst students, it's the pub quizzes that make this place legendary.
With huge prizes including major bar tabs, you just have to come and test your knowledge (you're studying for a degree, so a pub quiz should be a breeze). So grab some of your newfound pals, make up a funny team name, and get down to The Counting House.
Find tickets for events at The Counting House - HERE
Image: Queen of Bradgate on Facebook
Where: 93 High Street, Leicester LE1 4JB
A spacious and beautifully decorated pub in the city centre that ALSO has ping pong tables... where do we sign up?
Well, that's exactly what the Queen of Bradgate is, and for those of you fancying a quality pint in aesthetic surroundings, then this will be a pub you frequent. With an ethos of not selling Carling (something we can truly get behind) this place has been serving up a quality selection of crafts to the people of Leicester for almost a decade, and it's not going anywhere. head down, test your ping pong skills after a few bevvies, and see what it's all about!
Find tickets for events at The Queen Of Bradgate - HERE
Image: Club Helsinki on Facebook
Where: 94 Rutland St, Leicester LE1 1SB
Whilst the name conjures up cold Scandinavian nights, the reality couldn’t be further from it. In fact, Club Helsinki is one of Leicester’s hottest gay clubs and it’s absolutely teeming with amazing vibes.
Regular student nights mean that it's nice on your pocket, and with drag nights aplenty, dull nights are out of the question. On those regular nights, however, it's neon dancefloor and DJs that play all the hits, you’ll always have a great time here, plus it's open until 5 am on a Saturday so you can stumble home to the sound of birds afterwards.
Find tickets for events at Club Helsinki - HERE
Image: The Shed on Facebook
Where: 5 Yeoman St, Leicester LE1 1UT
A core part of Leicester’s thriving music scene since opening in 1994, The Shed was extensively refurbished in 2017 and became so much more than just a live music venue, it's now a cafe and bar, hosting regular club nights, and even some comedy! (However, live music is still very much at the forefront)
Located in the cultural quarter of the city, as a Leicester student, this place is a necessary visit. Plus, if you want to get away from the action of upstairs, their downstairs section, the Vault Bar, is a quiet recluse where you can sit, drink, and chat the night away. The Shed delivers in every aspect, now you've just got to go and experience it for yourself!
Find tickets for events at The Shed - HERE
Find tickets to the Vault Bar (The Shed) - HERE
Image: 2Funky Lounge on Facebook
Where: 94-96 Belgrave Gate, Leicester LE1 3GR
Housed in what was previously the city's famous club Venom, Motto is here to not only take the reigns but build on them. With a motto (sorry, not sorry) that states a desire to be a whole experience rather than just a club night, this lavish and boujee bar/club is definitely one for the ones who like the finer things in life. But, despite this vibe, it is still awesome for students. Whilst the drinks may not be as cheap, the vibes on show - if the hip-hop and RnB scene is the one for you - are unrivalled in the city (Just look how great a time the lads above are having.) A great option among Leicester student clubs, and a firm favourite of ours in the city.
Find tickets for events at Motto - HERE
Where: 1st Floor, Euro House, St John St, Leicester LE1 3WL
Finally, for those of you who prefer a skank to a two-step, Corah Works has got you covered on every single Bassline. The self-proclaimed haven of bass-heavy music in the city, it is quickly becoming a must-visit spot among the student population. Whilst new in the Leicester student clubs scene, its nights are already being hailed as some of the best on offer, and whilst most are ticketed, it is more than worth the entry fee to have a night jumping about, gun fingers ablaze, without a care for whatever lecture you have in the morning.
Find tickets for events at Corah Works - HERE
Still not sure what to do for freshers as a new student in Leicester, check out all it has to offer - HERE
Want to find out all you need to know about the nightlife in Leicester in preparation for your freshers experience? Check out our page where you can find out all you need to know - HERE
Check out our What's On Guide to discover even more rowdy raves and sweaty gigs taking place over the coming weeks and months. For festivals, lifestyle events and more, head on over to our Things To Do page or be inspired by the event selections on our Inspire Me page.
