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Bowling Green, Leicester

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44 Oxford Street, City Centre, Leicester, LE1 5XW (View on Google Map)

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.

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
28/04/2025
Last surveyed
25/04/2025
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

Current beers

This Pub serves 1 changing beer and 2 regular beers.

Regular and recently seen
Sharp's Doom Bar Pump Clip-1
Sharp's - Doom Bar Session Bitter • 4%
Sharp's Doom Bar Pump Clip-1
Sharp's - Doom Bar

Session Bitter

Dispense: Handpump
ABV: 4%
Vegan: No
Gluten Free: No
This beer is served regularly.
Taylor's  Landlord Pump clip
Timothy Taylor - Landlord Session Bitter • 4.3%
Taylor's  Landlord Pump clip
Timothy Taylor - Landlord

Session Bitter

Dispense: Handpump
ABV: 4.3%
Vegan: No
Gluten Free: No
This beer is served regularly.

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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
Real Ale Real Ale
Transport
Close to bus routes (50m)
Buses stop on Welford Road (outbound) and Oxford Street (inbound)
Nearby Station (750m)
Leicester

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