Firebug is a fun, no frills bar offering a great selection of world beers to its young regulars. There’s even a gig or two on top.

The Venue
Firebug is a two floor bar which would be unremarkable if it was not for the edgy art pieces showcased on the wall and the young and cool clientele.

The split-level ground floor is furnished with couches and assorted wooden furniture which is more modern than the usual pub style. On the walls there are clusters of paintings, illustrations and photos by cool local artists.

Upstairs, there is another room with a second bar and a stage used for stand-up comedy and live music.

The People
The stage upstairs is almost always in use at the weekends. Firebug has all sort of gigs and other events such as lindy hop dance classes. On Tuesday, though, there’s classic pub entertainment in the form of a pop quiz. Don't think the place is busy at all hours, though, during the daytime, Firebug is very quiet.

The regulars are young and indie, all long hair and skinny jeans. They're into classic guitar music from past decades as well as the newest contemporary independent hits.

The Food
Firebug serve all the pub classics with some more interesting options. To start, they serve a selection of classic sandwiches (£5), like sausage and red onion marmalade or brie and sweet cranberry sauce.

The bruschetta pizzas (£5) seem to be their own invention and toasted ciabatta comes covered in tomato salsa and mozzarella with a selection of toppings like chorizo and sweet red pepper, goat’s cheese, roasted vegetables and others.

Otherwise, you can order the usual chilli bowl (£3), jacket potato (£3), nachos (£3.50) or burgers from a selection including butterfly chicken breast. These come served simply or with extra fillings (bacon, super spicy chilli sauce and melted cheese) such as the Hellfire.

Fajitas, carbonara pasta and Thai curry are some of the other foreign alternatives. They also serve traditional mains (£5-£6) like sausage and mash, fish and chips and gammon steak.

The Drink
This type of young and cool crowd are usually discerning when it come to beers and Firebug caters to them by stocking uncommon bottles like Bacchus Kriek and Bacchus Framboise, Cobra, Leffe, Budvar, Grolsh, Tyskie and others. On draught, you can get pints of Staropramen, Hoegaarden and an above average selection of ales.

The bitters are the real highlight, together with some of the bottles. Forget the known mass-produced ales and indulge into the mini-brewery crafted Old Empire, Dark and Mild, Mansfield or Smooth Creamy Ale (all £2.60). There is also a cocktail happy hour but the crowd seem more into beer.

The Last Word
One of the very few young and alternative pubs in Leicester, Firebug is a fun place for a beer and bite to eat with friends during the day and for some live action at night. Recommended to all indie types.

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