please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Great pub in a red brick, attractive Victorian building... I think it used to be Steaming Billy, but is now back in the hands of Everards brewery? Tiled floors, atmospheric and very busy with all types/ages of drinkers. 3 real ales on my last visit. It also has great outdoor courtyards, some covered, with fast food served on Matchdays.. Especially busy when Leicester City are at home as it's no more than a 10 minute walk to the King Power...
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Yet another decent Leicester pub. As we did last season, we arrived here after everybody else had already flooded out to the match. Just time for a swift half, as we still had 20 minutes before kick off. Ales were Steamin' Billy Tipsy Fisherman, Skydiver & Bitter & Everards Ascalon. Ciders were Broadoak Moonshine & Fynburys Rutland Cider.
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A relaxed, friendly, and convivial atmosphere is well supported by the good-humoured bar staff, and varied clientele across the age range.
One of the apparent familiars was a staffie which trotted hither and thither with a favourite toy. He has a rather large, and, I'm afraid I have to say, all-too-human-looking virile member. However, he also seemed relaxed and amiable, as is the wont of those who perhaps have nothing to prove I suppose. I'm not a dog lover, but notwithstanding, he didn't put me off my beer. That said I don't know if he's one of the fixtures or just an occasional visitor from this one visit of mine.
The Steaming Billy was well kept and served as you'd expect in a brewery tap. I only sampled the one but it was an excellent example of its kind.
It's a solid, red-brick building of Victorian appearance, with quite a large bar and somewhat smaller lounge, in basic but warm and comfortable style. I understand that there's a small theatre upstairs, and from the posters in the toilets it seems that some quite interesting productions have been staged from time to time.
It adjoins a lively part of the city. There's something of a Turkish enclave nearby, with your pick of restaurants, some licensed, others not, and lots of student accommodation.
I'd be surprised to find anything better within a fair radius, and I recommend it.
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Still as lively as it was on my last visit 3 years ago. Friendly environment in nice location just off Bede Park. 5 ales on and a real cider. Streaming Billy Tipsy Fisherman in fine form!
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I see nobody has reviewed this pub since my last visit and my opinion, the place has improved. It's extremely handy for the football and rugby grounds. Luckily most people were flooding out when we arrived. So we managed to fit in a quick pint before the match. Last time I only visited the smaller room. This time, I visited the larger bar and the courtyard to the rear where 3 ciders were being sold. The ciders were Farmer Fear Dry & Blackcurrant & Mr Whitehead's Boxing Dog. This also appears to be a brewery tap for the Steamin' Billy brewery. They had Tipsy Fisherman, Sky Diver & Bitter, in addition to some guest beers - Mr Grundy Olive Branch, Bohemian Orange Barley, Blackhole Red Dwarf & Welbeck 5 Tun. I'm definitely upgrading my score and we'll hopefully be back next year.
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Pleasant backstreet pub in a suburban area of Leicester. There are 2 bars and customers were packed in to watch the football last night. The beer range is good - Black Country Pig on the Wall, Steamin' Billy Tipsy Fisherman, Belvoir Star & Everards Sunchaser. Broadoak Moonshine was the cider. Whilst they also had Broadoak Perry. Worth a return visit.
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ive been coming to the western for a few years now, (since steamin' billy took over) and i have never seen such a vibrant, ecclectic mix of drinkers and staff! The atmosphere in the pub wednesday to sunday evenings is electric. The billy beers have gone off form a bit of late however they are comensating with some amazing guest beers (where else could you get a pint of Harvest pale for �2?)
I went in last night to take advantage of the 14 real ales they had on under the guise of taking my son to see the fireworks display, i was greeted by name (as are most customers who visit more than once) the lad was given a free sparkler and we were all happy, beer was on top form and the pub had a buzz that made it near impossible to leave.
On the downside they could improve their food menu and have better facilities for us smokers, but where else would you be able to chat to the manager about your favourite beer and recieve a text message from him 4 weeks later when he'd managed to source it with an apology that it took so long?
Thank you Steamin' Billy for this oasis.
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This pub has really turned around since being taken over by the folks at Steaming Billy! It's nice to see a little British pub thriving even in such hard times. The friendly bar staff are always smiling, whilst the mix of drinkers gives a rather eclectic feel. Just the other night i enjoyed some lovely live music in the garden, seemingly spontaneous. And contrary to the reviewer before me, I have been to many a successful festival at the Western; It seems a shame that the odd hiccup has been made such an issue of as it really doesn't do the place justice.
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*** BEER FEST UPDATE ***
I see from the Leicester Drinker that the western will be holding a "Seaside Beer Festival" this weekend (Fri 20th - Sun 22nd August).
Yeah, right!
I've just called the pub to see what the beer range will be, only to be told that they've been "Let down by the suppliers"; beers were supposed to be coming from Norfolk-based micros, however they will not now be arriving until mid-September.
Instead you will find a selection of 14 ciders, the usual pub beer range plus food and live music.
Sadly this is not the first time the Western has advertised a festival promising rare and interesting beers and then failed to deliver in this manner.
In fact, that's the reason i stopped frequenting the place - it shows a complete lack of respect for the customer and is, in my humble opinion, a rather underhand business practice.
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Very pleasant little pub with some excellent beers that are not always easy to find.
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I don't tend to visit this pub very much nowadays on account of the large slobbering dog that hassles anyone and everyone eating crisps. The dog does not belong to the pub, but is almost always in the there. There have also been screaming kids in there when I've visited.
Slake - 13 Dec 2009 19:34 |
Called in this Good Beer Guide pub in March while in Leicester for the beer fesrtival and enjoyed a couple of Steamin' Billy beers and a Beartown. A popular Everards pub run by the Steamin' Billy company.
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A lovely little pub, although rather distant from the city centre, it's position in this peaceful side of town is also a part of its appeal. Nevertheless, due to this reason, more of an occasional favourite than a regular. Fine selection of guests (two) plus the Steamin Billy regulars and an Everards. Like its sister pub the Cow and Plough, though with a younger vibe which I prefer. Bar staff are friendly.
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Small but characterful and very pleasant traditional local. Billy beers very good, wish I'd tried the food. Good addition to this side of town.
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A vast improvement since the Steamin Billy takeover. Friendly staff, a real log fire in the Winter months, great beer and some excellent food.
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Certainly one of Leicester's best pubs now. Refurbished and re-opened by Steamin' Billy's. Usually around 6 or 7 ales on. Some served by gravity. I've been in several times since it opened on 31/10/2007, and the beer and hospitality has always been 10 out of 10. Expect to see the usual Steamin' Billy ales like Sky Diver, Porter, Steamin' Billy Bitter, etc. Some excellent guest ales from the likes of Thornbridge, Kelham Island, Hop Back, and Mordue.
The food is good too. Stone baked pizzas, big sandwiches, and REAL chips - not fries!
Slake - 13 Feb 2008 20:14 |
This pub is soon to re-open as a Steamin' Billy's pub. Great news.
anonymous - 22 Oct 2007 21:47 |
A FRIEND OF MINE USED TO LIKE THIS PUB BEFORE IT GOT TAKEN OVER.THE BLACK DOG IN THERE WAS VERY FOND OF HIM!
FEECH - 22 Dec 2006 16:49 |
Traditional boozer with local clientele (and footie fans). Friendly enough, decent ale, hope it doesn't change.
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As i have family in leicester, this is the local for us. Good ales (normally) but crowded whenever the Tigers or Foxes are at home.
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I've only been in here before a Leicester City match but I can say that this is where all the real fans (e.g the Kop)go. Decent ales but very crowded indeed. A short walk through Riverside Park to Bland Concrete Corporate Bowl (a.k.a the Walkers Stadium)
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