REVIEW: The Font, Leicester

Edit: Now closed 🙁

The Font is one of Leicester’s worst kept secrets. Everyone’s been, everyone knows it’s good, but for the most part, people walk in and say “God, I’ve not been here for ages”. Set on the outskirts of the central Leicester De Montfort University Campus, on the interesting address of 52 1/2 Gateway Street, The Font is unassuming from the outside and certainly very easy to miss if you don’t know the city. This is a great area of town for real ale, with both the Criterion and the Swan and Rushes just a short walk away and the Font does not disappoint in the area, although it is a lot younger, funkier with a very contemporary ‘vintage’ decor.

Upon entering The Font, you’ll see a huge amount of mismatched retro furniture, in a slightly dim environment, with a variety of interesting artwork around the walls. It sounds cluttered, but it’s quite a big space and for me it works, it’s a nice place to hang out. There will also be at least one table full of students already in there before you, whenever you go, but it is literally across the road from DMU so that’s to be expected. As we move into the summer, The Font becomes a bit clearer for us regular punters.

The Font offers you a friendly welcome from dedicated and hard working staff, who are always open for a bit of banter. It’s definitely one of those places that quickly becomes ‘where everyone knows your name’. The well stocked bar features a wide range of options, from cocktails to Brew Dog beers on tap – Punk IPA being the favourite amongst our party. The lagers and ales are well kept and while it is not cheap (the Brew Dog was £4 a pint and San Miguel about £3.40) it isn’t quite on the side of offensively expensive for the nice experience you get.

They have a decent pub menu, lots of sandwiches and wraps and things, with a good choice for vegetarians. The prices looked OK and their Sunday roast is already becoming something of a local legend – although I’ve not had the opportunity to eat there yet so I can’t really comment on the quality of the food myself.

Like a few places in Leicester, the only real downside to The Font is that they have no outside area, however, everyone does line the street along the front in the evenings. They have those nice big windows that can be opened as well and give a nice sense of space. It’s the nature of the area though that unfortunately a beer garden isn’t possible for this lovely little spot.

I give it a clear 8 out of 10 Extreme points. It could be a smidge cheaper and no patio is a shame, but otherwise a lovely place to while away an evening.