Exchange, Leicester

Anvil-shaped (indeed so!) junction pub by the (ahem) ‘cultural quarter’ and Curve theatre. Star of the show is the beautiful full-windowed windowed apex with original glasswork and frames. Hipsterised interior, with exposed brick wall at the rear, non-existent lighting in the apex (candles on tables like it’s February 1974). A tuned upright piano was being played to a high standard by the resident waiflette. Plenty of things on offer to tempt the punters – magazines, music and comedy nights, free hireable rooms (the downstairs one looked quite impressive) and there is apparently free breakfast on Wednesdays! Fans of Private Eye can re-live a selection of covers from 2012 plastered over the walls of the gentlemen’s convenience. Three pumps with two on, Adnams Ghost Ship (excellent shape) and Tres Bein Porter (long in the tooth) along with a 10% CAMRA discount. I have to admit I quite liked it here, someone’s putting in more effort than usual for this type of bar. 6.5

Anvil shaped bar facing the Curve Theatre with massive glass windows at the pointy end. As you enter there's a small room to the right, the bar is in front of you and the main room to the right. It's very gay and girly friendly and the background music was very generic. There's lots of interesting artwork around the walls and it's very nicely decorated throughout. Two handpumps on the bar serving changing guest ales. My pint was in reasonable nick, if not completely top notch. It's a decent little bar.