For many years, Leicester has been a highly popular city for students looking for a marvellous combination of a great education and some of the best places to eat, drink and socialise. This is a city which offers a welcoming, diverse student culture and it’s one of the reasons why students come from all over the world to study here.
At Westmanor Student Living, we don’t just know Leicester’s best student accommodation— we know student life too. If you’re new to the city, this freshers-focused guide highlights some of the best places to eat, study and socialise, helping both new and returning students settle in with confidence.
Places To Meet New People
Both De Montfort University and the University of Leicester are absolutely excellent at creating a welcoming environment and series of special events which are perfect for making new friends. Leicester’s Students’ Union societies and clubs are brilliant for meeting people with shared interests – whether it’s sports, culture, gaming or study, and events and socials are run all year round.
The following relaxed spots are perfect for striking up conversations, or studying with others:
- The Free Coffee Co Working Space on New Walk offers a friendly co-working café ideal for meeting others
- The Chapel Cafe, Choice Cafe & Leicester Coffee House Company are popular daytime cafés
- The World Peace Cafe is a peaceful, inclusive spot noted for community vibes and conversation
- Other cosy stops like Kings Coffee House, La Forêt Café and The coffee obsessive are great for spontaneous chats over coffee.
For evenings out, students love the following and much, much more :
- Firebug is a beloved student pub/bar with a relaxed vibe, live music, quiz and theme nights that’s great for mingling
- The Exchange Bar, Brick & Beam & Cosy Club are lively city centre bars where students often meet after lectures
- Bar Dos Hermanos in Clarendon Park is a friendly pub with a chilled crowd
- The Soar Point near De Montfort University has classic pub vibe
- The many bars and restaurants of Braunstone Gate are also hugely popular for students
Food and Drink For Every Taste and Budget
Leicester is well known for its affordable, multicultural food scene and special student offers, which make it easy for students to eat well on a budget. Areas like London Road, Belgrave Road (the Golden Mile), Narborough Road and the city centre are packed with low-cost restaurants offering Indian, Caribbean, Middle Eastern, Chinese, African and European cuisines.
Take along your student ID and you’ll often find that chains like Wok to Walk, Subway, Tortilla and local pizza and burger spots run student promotions.
Social Spots, Entertainment & Nightlife
If bars and restaurants aren’t your thing, then have a think outside of the box. There are plenty of cinemas and activity venues to choose from in Leicester, such as ten-pin bowling, escape rooms and for something more active, venues like clip ’n climb, indoor gyms, and leisure centres are ideal.
Vue Cinema in the Highcross is a popular choice for affordable tickets and new releases, while Odeon Luxe Leicester provides a more premium cinema experience with reclining seats. The Phoenix Cinema and Arts Centre is a favourite among students for independent films, international cinema and creative events and the city also hosts an array of live music, comedy nights and theatre performances at places like De Montfort Hall, Curve Theatre and smaller independent venues.
Check Westmanor’s Last Remaining Student Rooms
If you love the thought of living close to campus, enjoying well-maintained, modern student accommodation, and avoiding the stress of last-minute searching then there has never been a better time than now to book your viewings in.
Get in touch with a member of our team today and secure one of the last rooms we have available for the next academic year before they go!