The Lansdowne, Leicester

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FancyaPint?'s review...

Close to the student-heavy area around The University of Leicester, The Lansdowne - sister pub to the Orange Tree closer into town - is one of the more unusual bars in Leicester. The overall look is undeniably 1970s, with funky chandeliers, original careworn leather couches and interesting object d'arts knocking about. Indeed it's London Road address is quite appropriate; such places might have been a feature of trendy East London enclaves since the end of the last century, but they're still relatively rare in the East Midlands. Split into two, the 'pits' - as it's affectionately called - is the more relaxed of the two areas, as the bar seems aimed more at the vertical drinkers who pack the place out on weekend evenings. The well chosen and chilled music (Fleetwood Mac, Ian Brown) also inevitably makes way for louder dance tracks later in the evening, usually soon after the bouncers appear. As surprising as it was to find three ales on tap, they were eclipsed by the wide selection of girlie cocktails. Depending what sort of an experience you prefer, it pays to time your visit accordingly, but it's still a pretty good place overall.