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Leicester · 40 venues · 18 with a PA

Grassroots Venues in Leicester

Every grassroots room in Leicester - capacity, backline, who books it.

By size: 5 small (under 150), 9 mid-size (150 to 499), 3 large (500+), 23 with no size listed. 36 of the 40 open rooms are verified. 1 with full backline, 1 with a sound engineer.

Nearby

Updated 12 November 2026

At a glance
Leicester
40
Grassroots
venues
in Leicester
In detail
House PA18 venues
Full backline1 venue
In-house engineer1 venue
Venue Score63 /100
01 — Find a venue
40 rooms
Pick your room
Size
Kit
Hire
City
Sort
02 — The scene
Venue Score
63
Out of
100
Solid — healthy choice, building on coverage. A dependable circuit for touring acts.
How it adds up (0-100)
Choice100
Coverage100
Backline3
PA45
Engineer3
Genres100
03 — Rooms + kit
Live data
What Leicester has
By size
Small under 1505 29%
Medium 150-4999 53%
Large 500+3 18%
Size not listed23

Rooms with no size listed show under every size in 01.

Kit
Bring your own22 55%
PA only17 43%
Full backline1 3%
This month
Added1
Removed0
Verified1
Re-verified4
04 — More of Leicester
Beyond the rooms
Gigs, mics + hire
Go next
Featured venue2Funky ComplexLeicester · 350 cap
Leicester gigsWhat's on at these rooms, by date
What's on this weekEvery gig over the next seven days
Leicester open micsWeekly stage time, re-checked on a rolling cycle
Leicester music sceneVenues, rates, guides and gigs
Private hire

5 Leicester venues say on their own websites that they take private hire - parties, weddings and work events. Each card opens the venue’s rooms, capacities and how to enquire.

05 — Other cities
90 cities
Venues elsewhere
All cities, A–ZVenues
Live music on stage: a band under the lights
Leicester Venues

Grassroots Venues in Leicester

40 grassroots music venues across Leicester. Capacity, backline, genres, booking info. Re-verified on a rolling cycle.

63/ 100
Leicester Venue Score
SolidHealthy choice, building on coverage. A dependable circuit for touring acts.
Choice100
Coverage100
Backline3
PA45
Engineer3
Genres100
Run a Leicester venue? Claim your page free — keep specs current

Last updated: 12 November 2026

40 Venues in Leicester

Leicester has 40 grassroots music venues listed on GigXchange, from a 80-capacity room to 2,500. Listings show the capacity, backline and PA where we hold them, plus opening times, so artists, agents and bookers can shortlist the right room before getting in touch.

Of the 40 Leicester venues, 18 provide a PA system, 1 offers full backline and 1 includes an in-house sound engineer. See what these rooms have on over the next four weeks. Sign up free to view booking contacts and fee ranges.

40
grassroots venues hosting live music in Leicester
  • 18 provide a PA system · 1 offer full backline
  • 1 have an in-house sound engineer included
  • Booking contact, fee range and submission process available to signed-up artists
40
Venues
18
With PA
1
Full backline
1
In-house engineer
Last updated

What’s on in Leicester this week — or see what’s on across the UK.

Browse Leicester Venues

Search all 40 Leicester music venues by area, capacity, backline, PA, sound engineer or private hire. Every card shows the room size, what is on stage and the opening times we hold, and opens the venue’s own page with its booking information.

Showing 24 of 40 venues
c. 350
Photo: Google
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2Funky Complex
Leicester★★★★★ (—)
Multi-room complex for gigs and club nights.Next gig: Sat 21 Nov Ultimate RnB day event, 2 Funky Music Cafe Leicester
  • PA system (TBC)
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • Mon—
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View venue›
c. 350
Photo: Google
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2Funky Music Cafe
Leicester★★★★★ (—)
350-capacity Leicester live-music venue for local talent and touring artists.Next gig: Fri 13 Nov Soul & Motown Night - Ministry of Soul Band
  • PA system
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • MonClosed
  • TueClosed
  • WedClosed
  • ThuClosed
  • Fri22:00–04:00
  • Sat22:00–04:00
  • SunClosed
View venue›
Photo: Google
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33 Cank Street
Leicester › Old Town★★★★★ (—)
Table-service cocktail bar in Leicester's Old Town with live music twice a monthNo gigs listed yet
  • PA system (TBC)
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • MonClosed
  • TueClosed
  • Wed16:00–23:00
  • Thu16:00–23:00
  • Fri16:00–01:00
  • Sat14:00–01:00
  • Sun13:00–20:00
View venue›
Photo: Google
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45 West
Leicester › Old Town★★★★★ (—)
Old Town bottle shop and bar with free live Latin jazz one Friday a monthNo gigs listed yet
  • PA system (TBC)
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • MonClosed
  • Tue17:00–00:00
  • Wed17:00–00:00
  • Thu17:00–00:00
  • Fri15:00–01:00
  • Sat13:00–01:00
  • SunClosed
View venue›
Photo: Google
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Baton Rouge Leicester
Leicester › 41 Rutland St★★★★★ (—)
Nashville-style bar on Rutland Street with live bands, line dancing and karaoke.No gigs listed yet
Private hire
  • PA system
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • MonClosed
  • TueClosed
  • WedClosed
  • ThuClosed
  • Fri18:00–02:00
  • Sat18:00–02:00
  • SunClosed
View venue›
c. 100
Photo: Google
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Blaby And Whetstone Social Club
Leicester › Whetstone★★★★★ (—)
Community social club with pop acts.Next gig: Sat 19 Dec Queen tribute show
  • PA system (TBC)
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • Mon09:00–22:30
  • Tue09:00–22:30
  • Wed09:00–22:30
  • Thu09:00–22:30
  • Fri09:00–23:00
  • Sat11:00–23:30
  • Sun11:30–20:00
View venue›
Photo: Google
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Doppler Studio
Leicester★★★★★ (—)
Club and studio space for electronic music.No gigs listed yet
  • PA system (TBC)
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • MonClosed
  • TueClosed
  • WedClosed
  • ThuClosed
  • FriClosed
  • Sat23:00–03:00
  • SunClosed
View venue›
Photo: Google
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Dover Castle
Leicester★★★★★ (—)
One of the UK's oldest LGBTQ+ venues, with cabaret and Thursday open mic.No gigs listed yet
  • PA system
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • MonClosed
  • TueClosed
  • Wed18:00–00:00
  • Thu18:00–00:00
  • Fri18:00–01:00
  • Sat17:00–02:00
  • Sun16:00–00:00
View venue›
Photo: Google
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Duffys Bar, Leicester
Leicester★★★★★ (—)
Leicester's traditional Irish bar with a punk and metal gig room.Next gig: Sat 12 Dec Rites of Hadda,Spitting Feathers,The Cars taparis,Death Vally 69
  • PA system (TBC)
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • Mon—
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View venue›
c. 200
Photo: Google
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Firebug
Leicester › City Centre★★★★★ (—)
Leicester's Wednesday-night free open mic at 1 Millstone Lane, LE1 5JN — alternative music bar, full backline, in-house engineer, 12-minute slots.Next gig: Sat 14 Nov Vanitas @ Firebug, Leicester. With Re:O and Voidwalker
  • PA system
  • Drum kit
  • Guitar amp
  • Bass amp
  • Keys / keyboard
  • 3 vocal mics
  • In-house engineer
  • Mon17:00–04:00
  • Tue12:00–04:00
  • Wed12:00–04:00
  • Thu12:00–04:00
  • Fri12:00–04:00
  • Sat12:00–04:00
  • Sun12:00–04:00
View venue›
Photo: Google
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Grand Union
Leicester★★★★★ (—)
Marston's pub with live entertainment.No gigs listed yet
  • PA system
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • Mon11:00–23:00
  • Tue11:00–23:00
  • Wed11:00–00:00
  • Thu11:00–00:00
  • Fri11:00–02:00
  • Sat11:00–03:00
  • Sun11:00–23:00
View venue›
Photo: Google
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Inside No 9
Leicester★★★★★ (—)
Market Place cocktail bar with live singers and bands every Saturday and a fortnightly open micNo gigs listed yet
  • PA system (TBC)
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • MonClosed
  • TueClosed
  • WedClosed
  • Thu—
  • Fri12:00–00:00
  • Sat12:00–00:00
  • SunClosed
View venue›
Photo: Google
Claim this venue
Katie O'Brien's Irish Tavern
Leicester★★★★★ (—)
Irish tavern on Market Street with live music every week, open Thursday to SundayNo gigs listed yet
  • PA system (TBC)
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • MonClosed
  • TueClosed
  • WedClosed
  • Thu17:00–00:00
  • Fri16:00–02:30
  • Sat12:00–02:30
  • Sun15:00–00:00
View venue›
c. 500
Photo: Google
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Loughborough Town Hall
Loughborough › Town Centre★★★★★ (—)
Mid-size rock and live music venue in LoughboroughNo gigs listed yet
Private hire up to 522 seated
  • PA system
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • Mon10:00–16:00
  • Tue10:00–16:00
  • Wed10:00–16:00
  • Thu10:00–16:00
  • Fri10:00–16:00
  • Sat10:00–15:00
  • SunClosed
View venue›
c. 250
Photo: Google
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MMC Venue
Loughborough★★★★★ (—)
Multi-room music and events complex.Next gig: Sat 8 May Legends of Motown live at Mountsorrel Memorial Centre
  • PA system (TBC)
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • Mon10:00–14:00
  • Tue10:00–14:00
  • WedClosed
  • Thu10:00–14:00
  • Fri10:00–14:00
  • Sat10:00–14:00
  • SunClosed
View venue›
Photo: Google
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Mosh
Leicester★★★★★ (—)
Leicester nightclub open Fri and Sat.No gigs listed yet
  • PA system
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • MonClosed
  • TueClosed
  • WedClosed
  • ThuClosed
  • Fri23:00–03:30
  • Sat23:00–03:30
  • SunClosed
View venue›
c. 300
Photo: Google
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Old Plough
Leicester › Birstall★★★★★ (—)
City Centre's wednesday-night free open mic at Old Plough — PA + vocal mic, walk-in sign-up from 7:30pm, 15-minute slots, all ages.Next gig: Wed 25 Nov Birstall Open Mic
  • PA system
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer
  • Mon17:00–23:00
  • Tue17:00–23:00
  • Wed12:00–23:00
  • Thu12:00–23:00
  • Fri12:00–23:00
  • Sat12:00–23:00
  • Sun12:00–22:30
View venue›
c. 80
Photo: Google
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Queen of Bradgate
Leicester★★★★★ (—)
Leicester High Street craft-beer and cask pub with live music weekends, cocktails and ping pong.No gigs listed yet
  • PA system
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • Mon11:00–23:30
  • Tue11:00–23:30
  • Wed11:00–23:30
  • Thu11:00–23:30
  • Fri11:00–02:00
  • Sat11:00–02:00
  • Sun12:00–23:30
View venue›
Photo: Google
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Sally Cinnamon's Music Venue
Leicester★★★★★ (—)
Leicester indie basement, 100 capacityNo gigs listed yet
  • PA system (TBC)
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • Mon—
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  • Wed—
  • Thu—
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  • Sun—
View venue›
2,000
Photo: Google
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The Athena, Leicester
Leicester › Leicester city centre★★★★★ (—)
Art deco Midlands events venue.Next gig: Sun 20 Dec CATSEYE
Private hire up to 2,000 standing
  • PA system
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • Mon09:00–17:00
  • Tue09:00–17:00
  • Wed09:00–17:00
  • Thu09:00–17:00
  • Fri09:00–17:00
  • Sat09:00–17:00
  • Sun09:00–17:00
View venue›
250
Photo: Google
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The Big Difference
Leicester › City Centre★★★★★ (—)
Independent music, comedy and arts venue and bar on Leicester's High StreetNo gigs listed yet
  • PA system (TBC)
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • Mon—
  • Tue—
  • Wed—
  • Thu—
  • Fri—
  • Sat—
  • Sun—
View venue›
c. 80
Photo: Google
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The Black Dog
Leicester › Oadby★★★★★ (—)
Oadby community pub with weekly live bands and a summer outdoor stage.No gigs listed yet
  • PA system
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • Mon12:00–00:00
  • Tue12:00–00:00
  • Wed12:00–00:00
  • Thu12:00–00:00
  • Fri12:00–00:00
  • Sat12:00–00:00
  • Sun11:30–00:00
View venue›
c. 200
Photo: Google
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The Crown Inn Heather
Coalville › Heather★★★★★ (—)
Heather village pub, home of the Skanking at the Crown ska, mod and reggae all-dayerNext gig: Sat 10 Jul Skanking at the Crown 8
  • PA system (TBC)
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • Mon16:00–23:00
  • Tue16:00–23:00
  • Wed16:00–23:00
  • Thu16:00–23:00
  • Fri11:00–23:00
  • Sat12:00–23:00
  • Sun12:00–23:00
View venue›
c. 80
Photo: Google
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The Crows Nest
Leicester › East★★★★★ (—)
Family-run West End Leicester pub and live-music venue with weekly tribute acts and karaoke.No gigs listed yet
  • PA system
  • Drum kit (TBC)
  • Guitar amp (TBC)
  • Bass amp (TBC)
  • Keys / keyboard (TBC)
  • Vocal mics (TBC)
  • In-house engineer (TBC)
  • Mon11:00–00:00
  • Tue11:00–00:00
  • Wed11:00–00:00
  • Thu11:00–00:00
  • Fri11:00–01:00
  • Sat11:00–01:00
  • Sun11:00–00:00
View venue›

Venues You Can Hire in Leicester

5 Leicester venues say on their own websites that they take private hire - parties, weddings and work events. Each card opens the venue’s rooms, capacities and how to enquire.

Leicester Venue Scene in Numbers

Leicester’s 40 grassroots venues in one picture: how big the rooms are, what kit is on stage and how many take private hire. Use it to judge whether to bring your own backline and which size of room suits your draw before you start booking.

Grassroots venues · Leicester
40

From the
GigXchange venue directory

Room sizeof the 17 with a known capacity
5Small · under 150
9Medium · 150–499
3Large · 500+
What's on stageall 40 venues
1Full backline
17PA only
22Bring your own gear
18provide a PA
1has an in-house engineer
5take private hire
Rock · Popmost-booked genres

How many grassroots music venues are in Leicester? GigXchange lists 40 grassroots music venues across Leicester. 45% provide a PA system and 3% offer full backline (drums, guitar amp, bass amp, PA).

Do Leicester venues provide equipment? 1 venue includes an in-house sound engineer. The majority of Leicester venues are medium (150–499). Data from GigXchange’s verified Leicester venue directory.

Leicester Venue FAQs

10 answers about grassroots venues in Leicester, from how many there are and how big the rooms are to the kit they provide, booking a gig and listing your venue free - each answered from the venues listed here.

GigXchange lists 40 grassroots music venues in Leicester, from small pub back rooms to mid-size standing rooms. Each listing includes capacity, backline provision, genres booked, and verification status. Browse the full national directory at UK Venue Directory.
1 of 40 Leicester venues offer full backline (drums, guitar amp, bass amp, PA). 18 provide at least a PA system. 1 includes an in-house sound engineer. Use the filters above to show only venues with backline.
5 Leicester venues state on their own websites that they take private hire for parties, weddings and work events, among them Loughborough Town Hall (up to 522 seated), The Athena, Leicester (up to 2,000 standing) and The International Independent Music (up to 320 standing). Each venue page has a Private hire tab with its rooms, capacities and a link to enquire with the venue directly. Use the Private hire filter above to list them all.
Of the 17 Leicester venues with known capacity: 5 are small (under 150), 9 are medium (150–499), and 3 are large (500+). The majority of Leicester’s grassroots scene is mid-size standing rooms.
Sign up free on GigXchange to view booking contacts, fee ranges, and submission processes for every Leicester venue. Most grassroots venues accept email submissions with a link to your music, EPK, or social profiles. Check current UK fee benchmarks before quoting.
Yes. GigXchange also runs the UK Open Mic Finder for Leicester, which lists weekly open mic nights with backline, day, and fee filters. Open mics are the main pathway from bedroom to stage for most grassroots artists. See also our guide on getting gigs in the UK.
The What’s On in Leicester page lists every gig we hold across these 40 venues over the next four weeks — dates, times, entry and ticket links, refreshed daily. For everything beyond that window, browse the Leicester gig directory.
The most commonly booked genres across Leicester’s 40 grassroots venues are rock, pop, covers, Indie, acoustic. Many venues accept both original music and covers. Browse artist profiles by genre to find acts for your venue.
Fees vary by venue size and event type. The GigXchange Rate Calculator shows current percentiles for Leicester by band size and venue type. Door splits are common at smaller venues; flat fees are more typical at mid-size rooms. The Musicians’ Union publishes recommended minimums.
Yes. Listing is free. If your venue is already in the directory, open its page and press Claim this venue (or create a free venue account) to self-edit your profile and manage bookings; if it is missing, email support@gigxchange.app and we will take a look. Venues with TheMusicLicence from PPL PRS can also list their music policy.
07 — Keep up with Leicester
Free, weekly
One email a week. Gigs near you.

Keep up with Leicester

One email a week with the gigs coming up at Leicester’s grassroots venues - new nights, open mics and shows worth catching. Free to join and easy to leave, and turning up is what keeps small rooms open.

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Venues like these feed the national Hardest Working Rooms table and every UK city's scene. Browse all UK venues.

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Founder & Builder

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