Popular with students, filled to the gills when there's a game on and it serves kangaroo. You guessed it, it's the Australian theme bar -Walkabout.

The Venue
Walkabout pubs are usually huge, but Leicester's is a medium-size room painted yellow. A stuffed crocodile hangs over the bar, an ever so subtle reminder that this is an Australian theme bar. Plasma screens are everywhere and they often show the big matches. There's also a pool table, game machines, and a stage at the back for live music nights.

It's modern, with a mix of traditional pub elements such as the wood-cladding. Chairs are covered with stripy upholstery and there are brown leather benches. It looks young and cheerful, like the crowd who spend their nights drinking here.

The People
Is it full of tanned Australians with sun-bleached hair talking about surfing? Well, not really. If you're thinking of scoring with a fit Aussie, you may be disappointed. There are a few Australians here and there but the majority of people are Leicester locals.

There's a mix of people within the regulars but no one is older than 35 and people in their twenties, especially early twenties, dominate and it's particularly popular with students. The atmosphere is laidback and friendly. Obviously, during match days, it gets extremely busy and very loud, so it may be best to avoid it if you're after a sophisticated, chilled-out drink.

The Food
Kangaroo is the only distinctive ingredient on an otherwise rather standard menu. And as it's the highlight of the menu it's in high demand. You can get a taste of the jumping mammal as a fillet, as a grill mix or, if you are feeling squeamish about it, hidden in a sandwich.

But if memories of Skippy make it too much to bear, there IS all sorts of classic pub grub to choose from. Rump and rib-eye steaks, Cajun chicken and racks of ribs are available from the grill and cost between £7.45 and £9. Tuna melt, BLT, grilled steak and club sandwiches cost £5.50 to £6. You can also get an all day breakfast for £6.50 and filled spuds for around £4.

The Drink
Let's face it, the main reason to come to the Walkabout, other than to watch the sport, is to drink Aussie beer and find out what kangaroo tastes like. Here they serve the whole lot with Tooheys, New, Carlton Cold, Fosters and Fosters Twist, Crown and Victoria Bitter, as well as a few others.

Monday is the best time to try them as they're all just £1.50 (£1.95 to £2.05 otherwise). Beer is cheap here, and a draught of Guinness or Stella costs £2.30 (a round of four is £9.10), John Smiths is only £1.95 and they also have Peroni, Savannah Dry and others. The Bottle Bundle - five bottles for £9 - is a great way to sample a bit of everything.

Beer maybe the staple drink, but you can also choose a cocktail. They're £4 a glass or £7.50 for a two pint pitcher (except the vodka and Red Bull, which is £11). Australian-inspired concoctions include a Sydney Silk, a mix of Tia Maria, Baileys and milk, a Byron Sunrise, a mix of tequila, grenadine and orange juice, or the Kangaroo Jack which is whisky, Amaretto and Pepsi. Classic shots cost £2 and double spirits are £2.50 to £3.50.

The Last Word
It may not have sun, sea or sand but Walkabout offers Leicester some antipodean fun. If you've got a loud bunch of mates this is the perfect place for a meal and a laidback drink.

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