Success Story:

The Real Ale Classroom

Background

In 2015, two secondary school teachers, Ian Martin and Steve Tabbernor opened Leicester’s first ever micro-pub in Stoneygate. Since then, their business has only grown with two more locations opening in Lutterworth in 2017 and then Leicester city centre in 2023. The Real Ale Classroom has become a popular community hub and their passion for beer, music and community is at the heart of everything they do.

Since their opening, they have won multiple awards, such as the ‘Best Pub Experience’ award at Leicestershire Promotions 2018 Tourism and Hospitality Awards and ‘Best New Venue’ at the Leicester Comedy Festival in 2024.

While the Lutterworth and Stoneygate locations are micro in size, their sister venue in the city centre has a ‘Common Room’ basement area, perfect for live music, comedy and dance social events.

Because we’ve got TheMusicLicence, we’ve got a bit of freedom to choose what we like.”

Steve Tabbernor, Co-owner, The Real Ale Classroom

Watch the full success story to find out how The Real Ale Classroom use music to stay in tune:

In conversation with The Real Ale Classroom

Steve Tabbernor

Co-owner

Ian Martin

Co-owner

Can you talk through the history of The Real Ale Classroom?

“So, after lots of deliberating, we decided to give up our jobs [in teaching] and set up our first micro-pub in Stoneygate in Leicester called The Real Ale Classroom. We named it The Classroom because of obviously, the education background.” – Ian

“I visited a micro-pub in Market Harborough just after it had opened and I loved the concept. I love beer, I love people talking.” – Steve

“The whole ethos behind the business is about people talking and community. The pub is designed around benches, like the sort of thing we see here so that people are forced to sit next to each other and talk. Seeing that interaction was something that we were really keen on and that’s something that we have taken forward through the rest of the business as well.” – Ian

Photograph of a street view featuring a brick building with a black storefront sign reading "The Classroom" and outdoor seating area with people dining. The scene includes string lights inside the establishment, black sandwich boards with white text, and a clear blue sky overhead.
Photograph of an outdoor beer garden named "Mils Yard" featuring wooden structures, a pathway lined with greenery, and tables with red chairs in the background. A glass of beer is partially visible in the foreground, with tall trees and a clear blue sky overhead.

Can you share with us your experience of working with PPL PRS and how simple it was to set up TheMusicLicence?

“Working with PPL PRS to get our music licence was really simple to sort out. We ran a couple of gigs a year, so we were clear about that and the person I spoke to on the phone was just going through the sort of things we did and it was dead simple. And then at the end of the first year, we were able to go through what we’d done, what we were envisaging for the next year, and set the licence appropriately and it’s been really straightforward. The people I’ve spoken to were really helpful.” – Ian

The money from TheMusicLicence fee goes back to artists and music creators as royalties from PPL and PRS for Music, how important is it to you that you are supporting the music industry in this way?

“It’s something that’s important to us because we support lots of new bands and new DJ’s here and I think it’s important to make sure that, particularly in this digital world, that they do get that reward.” – Ian

“I think it’s really nice that something is given back to the artists… I think it’s wonderful.” – Steve

Photograph of a micro pub storefront named "Classroom" located on Station Road, featuring illuminated signage advertising ale, wine, cider, and gin. The pub has large windows with frosted glass displaying the name and type of establishment, with warm interior lighting visible through the entrance and windows.

Who influences the background music you play?  Do you change the playlist to reflect the clientele or event that is on, or the time of day or season?

“Generally, throughout all the pubs it’s down to the bar staff to pick what they want to play – within reason, you know we don’t want thrash metal at 1 o’clock on a Sunday afternoon! They know to pick things that are appropriate, so maybe a bit more mellow in the day and then it picks up.” – Ian

Frank Parnell

Bar Manager

“90% of the challenge to pick the vibe, is the music. I like to start with, maybe to begin with, like a Bowie, or an ELO. You can’t go wrong with a bit of Brit-pop.” – Frank Parnell, Bar Manager

If the music’s right, the vibe’s right. Behind the bar flows so much better.”

Frank Parnell, Bar Manager, The Real Ale Classroom

Photograph of an outdoor garden pub area with several groups of people sitting at wooden picnic tables and benches on grass and stone-paved sections. The scene includes green trees and plants, a man in the foreground with a glass of beer, and a relaxed social atmosphere on a cloudy day.

Can you talk to us about the events you have on at The Real Ale Classroom?

“We just try and keep a bit of variety of what goes on. Weekends are our busiest, so most Fridays and Saturdays are filled up either with a private party or a gig. Thursday nights we have the jam nights, once a month we have the vinyl DJs that play up here.” – Steve

In conversation with The Basement Presents

Stephen Beverley

DJ, The Basement Presents

Manjit Sian

DJ, The Basement Presents

Can you tell us about your role here at Jazz on Vinyl? Why do you think there has been a resurgence in vinyl events like this?

“Here at Jazz on Vinyl we play jazz on vinyl, as it says. It’s not a club vibe, it’s not background music, I would say it’s more a listening experience. Relaxed, communal, you can have a few drinks, chat with friends, and really sit in the music. I don’t think Leicester has got another event like this at all. Kudos to The Real Ale Classroom for putting it on every month.” – Manjit, The Basement Presents

As someone who still buys physical music, whether it’s on CD or records, I want to know that the artists get the money.”

Stephen Beverley, DJ, The Basement Presents

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Please contact us or complete our Get TheMusicLicence Form to arrange a quote.

Call us on 0116 290 0525

8am to 6pm Monday to Thursday and 8am to 3pm Friday

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