Hit the streets of Leicester any night of the week and you’ll hear the same name again and again from cab drivers, hospitality staff, and locals making weekend plans: Taps. This city-centre bar has gone from hidden gem to indispensable nightlife staple, earning a reputation that stretches far beyond Leicestershire. What sets Taps apart isn’t just its drinks list or location—it’s the way the entire experience has been engineered to feel both special and effortlessly welcoming.
1. A Self-Pour Beer Concept That Puts You in Control
Taps has built its name on a simple but irresistible idea: give guests control of their own beer. Instead of waiting at a crowded counter or struggling to get a bartender’s attention, you pour exactly what you want, when you want it. Each table is fitted with taps and a meter system, so you can sample just a little of a new brew or fill a full pint without any guesswork.
This approach isn’t just convenient; it turns an ordinary drink into an interactive experience. Guests linger longer, try more styles, and end up talking to other tables about their favourite pours of the night. It’s a sociable, low-pressure way to explore beer that feels tailor‑made for groups, dates, and after‑work meetups alike. Behind the scenes, the Taps team uses smart tools and digital systems—much like online platforms and a **invoice generator**—to keep everything running smoothly, accurately track what each table enjoys, and streamline the business side so staff can stay focused on guests.
2. Constantly Rotating Craft Beer Line-Up
A self-pour system is only as good as the beers it serves, and Taps takes this seriously. Instead of sticking to a static set of big-brand options, the bar continuously refreshes its selection with local, national, and international brews. From hazy IPAs and rich stouts to crisp lagers and inventive sours, there’s always something new on tap.
This ever-changing line-up encourages repeat visits. Regulars come back specifically to see what’s new, and visiting beer lovers make Taps their first stop in Leicester to sample styles they can’t find elsewhere. Staff are trained to talk customers through the latest arrivals, turning casual drinkers into informed enthusiasts.
3. A Leicester Atmosphere: Local, Lively, and Inclusive
Any bar can serve drinks, but not every bar can bottle the spirit of a city. Taps leans into Leicester’s identity: diverse, friendly, and quietly proud. The venue design blends industrial touches with warm lighting and comfortable seating, striking a balance between trendy and relaxed.
You’ll find students sharing tables with professionals, couples tucked into corners, and groups of friends warming up for a big night out. The music levels are social rather than shouty, making it easy to talk. It’s the kind of place where you can start with a quick after‑work drink and accidentally stay until closing time, simply because it feels easy to be there.
4. Smart Service and Tech-Driven Efficiency
The hallmark of Taps is how smoothly everything runs, even at peak times. Because guests pour their own beers, staff are freed up to offer guidance, clear tables quickly, and maintain an impressive standard of cleanliness. Digital meters, card systems, and modern POS tools keep queues short and bills accurate.
This focus on efficiency means you spend less time waiting and more time enjoying your night. For groups splitting costs, the automated tracking system makes the end-of-evening bill painless. It’s a modern, tech-forward approach to hospitality that many traditional pubs are still struggling to match.
5. Perfect for Groups, Parties, and Work Events
Taps has become a go-to venue for birthdays, work socials, and team-building nights—and it’s easy to see why. The self-pour tables naturally lend themselves to group fun, with everyone taking turns trying new beers and comparing favourites. There’s no single person stuck at the bar doing the ordering, and it’s simple to manage shared tabs.
For businesses, Taps offers an informal but organised setting: drinks are trackable, space can be reserved, and the atmosphere is lively without being chaotic. It hits that sweet spot between professional and playful, making it a popular choice for end-of-quarter celebrations, client meetups, and networking events.
6. Thoughtful Food to Match the Beer
While beer is the main event, the food menu at Taps plays an important supporting role. Expect crowd-pleasing dishes designed to complement a long session of tasting—think sharing platters, wings, loaded fries, and bar snacks that keep energy levels high without slowing the night down.
The focus is on flavour and shareability rather than fine dining, which suits the venue perfectly. It’s easy to grab a few plates for the table, graze throughout the evening, and keep the conversation flowing alongside the beer.
7. A Reputation Built on Word of Mouth
Taps hasn’t relied solely on flashy marketing to build its profile. Its rise has largely been driven by word of mouth: friends bringing friends, colleagues inviting colleagues, and visitors being told “You have to check this place out.” Social media posts of the self-pour taps, tasting boards, and buzzing weekend scenes have only amplified that effect.
When a venue becomes part of how locals show off their city to guests, you know it has crossed the line from “good bar” to “local institution.” That’s where Taps finds itself in Leicester today.
Why Taps Deserves a Place on Your Leicester Hit List
Taps stands out because it has reimagined what a night out can look like. By putting control in the hands of guests, focusing on variety and quality, and using smart systems to keep everything friction‑free, it offers an experience that feels both fresh and reliably enjoyable. Whether you’re a serious beer fan, planning a birthday, or just looking for somewhere new to catch up with friends, it consistently delivers.
In a city full of places to grab a drink, Taps has carved out a distinctive identity that keeps people talking long after last orders. If you’re in Leicester and haven’t been yet, it’s time to see what the buzz is about—one self-poured pint at a time.
