CAMRA - Campaign for Real Ale logo
Pubs & Clubs
Events
Beers & Breweries
Pubs & Clubs
Events
Beers & Breweries
CAMRA - Campaign for Real Ale logo
Join Us

Bowling Green, Leicester

You have visited this venue
View all visits
Directions
You want to visit - You have this in
Cask Ale not available
Open
44 Oxford Street, City Centre, Leicester, LE1 5XW (View on Google Map)
07440 286604
Website

It received a major refurbishment in the 1990s, when the interior was opened-out. After spells as the 'Fullback & Firkin', then Scream-branded 'Polar Bear', in 2015 it was given a makeover to return it to a more traditional pub which blended the older features with modern tastes. Two original fireplaces were uncovered during the refurbishment and the load bearing truss in the pub entrance area dates back to the 14th century. The front parts are old and beamed with panelling; the opened-out rear areas are modern with music, games and sports TVs. The pictures and wall displays feature scenes of Leicester or bowling. There is an enclosed courtyard area at the rear.

A grade 2 listed building. Details at:

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1074801

Historic Interest

An historic inn, originally the 'Old Bowling Green'. Dating mostly from the 18th century, this is a Grade 2 Listed Building. One of the oldest pubs in Leicester, this was formerly owned by the All Saints Brewery (Leicester), then by Ind Coope Brewery of Burton from 1929.

Information for this venue is provided by the Leicester Branch of CAMRA
Previous Names
Old Bowling Green; Fullback & Firkin; Polar Bear
Local Authority
City of Leicester (B)
Last updated
03/06/2025
Last surveyed
24/05/2025
Leasehold owner
unknown
Freehold owner
Stonegate
Pub ID
LEI/183
Asset of Community Value
Monday
Noon - 12:30am
Tuesday
Noon - 12:30am
Wednesday
Noon - 12:30am
Thursday
Noon - 1:30am
Friday
Noon - 1:30am
Saturday
Noon - 1:30am
Sunday
Noon - 1:30am
Monday
Noon - 9:00pm
Tuesday
Noon - 9:00pm
Wednesday
Noon - 9:00pm
Thursday
Noon - 9:00pm
Friday
Noon - 9:00pm
Saturday
Noon - 9:00pm
Sunday
Noon - 9:00pm
TasteMatch

Unlock TasteMatch and all of CAMRA’s online tools from just 99p/month with our Explorer Pass, or join as a member to get the best of pubs, beer and breweries plus discounts at the bar.

Current beers

There are no beers listed. Add a beer or submit a beer score.

Your scores

Join CAMRA to access beer scoring and view scores for other pubs. Become a member.
Retrieving scores
You have no beer scores submitted.
Facilities
Sports TV Sports TV
Rugby matches always shown
Lunchtime Meals Lunchtime Meals
Evening Meals Evening Meals
Live Music Live Music
Garden Garden
Family Friendly Family Friendly
Disabled Access Disabled Access
via rear gate
Dog Friendly Dog Friendly
Smoking Smoking
Wi Fi Wi Fi
Features
Transport
Close to bus routes (50m)
Buses stop on Welford Road (outbound) and Oxford Street (inbound)
Nearby Station (750m)
Leicester

Help keep our information accurate!

Notice an error or missing details? Help us keep our pub & club information accurate by sharing any corrections or updates you spot.

Suggest an edit

Nearby

Swan & Rushes. (Pub, External, Key). Published on 13-04-2014
Closed • Opens Tue at 5:00pm
Sapphire Kitchen & Bar
Pub, in Leicester
Cask Ale not available
(Pub, External). Published on 19-11-2012
Legends
Pub, in Leicester
Cask Ale not available
Odd Bar, Leicester. (Pub, External). Published on 19-11-2012
Open
Odd Bar
Pub, in Leicester
Cask Ale not available
(Pub, External, Key). Published on 28-08-2022
Open
Fox Hut Bar (Bricklayers Arms)
Star (Heineken UK) Pub, in Leicester
1 Regular, 2 Changing Beers
Frontage. (Pub, External, Key). Published on 16-04-2025
Open
Rutland & Derby
Beautiful Pubs Pub, in Leicester
2 Regular, 2 Changing Beers
(Pub, External, Key). Published on 21-06-2025
Open
Sir Robert Peel
Pub, in Leicester
2 Regular, 1 Changing Beers
(Pub, External, Key). Published on 18-02-2025
Bungles Bar
Pub, in Leicester
Cask Ale not available
(Pub, External, Key). Published on 07-07-2018
Closed • Opens Tue at 3:00pm
Two-Tailed Lion
Pub, in Leicester
3 Changing Beers
(Pub, External, Key). Published on 12-04-2024
Closed • Opens Thu at 3:00pm
Sophy
Pub, in Leicester
Cask Ale not available
Duffy's Bar, Leicester. (Pub, External, Key). Published on 12-11-2014
Closed • Opens Tue at 4:30pm
Duffy's
Pub, in Leicester
1 Regular Beer
Banner promoting the CAMRA Good Beer Guide

Recently Viewed

(External, Key). Published on 20-12-2024
Closed • Opens at 4:00pm
Tanygraig Inn
Pub, in Llanybydder
2 Regular Beers
DP 09/22. (External, Key). Published on 11-09-2022
Closed • Opens Fri at 10:00pm
Rubix
Pub, in Hereford
Cask Ale not available
Hideaway Bar
Pub, in Armagh
Permanently Closed
(Key). Published on 10-03-2015
Primrose
Pub, in Liscard
Cask Ale not available
  • Historic Interior
Golden Lion, Bourne, 2008. (Pub). Published on 15-07-2012
Golden Lion
Pub, in Bourne
Permanently Closed
Cross Arms Before it was closed down. (Pub, External, Key). Published on 24-07-2014
Cross Arms Hotel
Pub no longer exists Pub, in South Shields
Permanently Closed
(Pub, External, Key). Published on 22-10-2023
Open
Hoppy
Pub, in Edinburgh
Cask Ale not available
Roland Wadden 27.11.23. (Pub, External, Key). Published on 29-11-2023
Open
Bowness Tap Rooms
High Spirits leisure Group Pub, in Bowness-on-Windermere
3 Changing Beers
(External, Key). Published on 17-05-2025
Closed • Opens Tue at 12:00pm
Victoria Inn
Pub, in Falkirk
Cask Ale not available
Pub Walk Shoes Icon

Love Cask Beer?

Join CAMRA to support the campaign to access more features plus access to a range of different benefits.

Become a member
© Campaign for Real Ale 2023 - 2025 (ce-9)
Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube
Home

Privacy Overview

We use cookies, which are small text files, to improve your experience on our website and to show you personalised content. You can allow all or manage them individually.

Necessary

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information. More information

Non-Necessary (Analytics)

These cookies help us to improve your web experience. They allow us to gather feedback on your behaviour and to show adverts relevant to you. You can turn this off here.

Cookies

We use cookies, which are small text files, to improve your experience on our website and to show you personalised content. You can allow all or manage them individually.