Entertainment in Watford

You’re spoilt for choice for theatre options in Watford, with three excellent venues putting on everything from big-name live music to cutting-edge plays, musicals, pantomimes and more.

You know you’re in good hands when Elton John, Robbie Williams, Oasis, Jools Holland and One Direction have played at the Watford Colosseum. A 1,300-capacity theatre and live music venue was built in the 1930s and is one of the best sonic and acoustic concert halls in Europe – so much so, that the soundtracks to Star Wars and Lord of the Rings were recorded here. Located in the centre of Watford, and a 10-minute walk from our Watford Central hotel, the Colosseum put on a wide range of events spanning musicals, live music, theatre, stand up comedy and special cinema screenings, with pre-show food and drinks available from the Forum Restaurant and the Cafe Bar.

A short walk from the Colosseum, the Watford Palace Theatre is a 600-capacity Edwardian auditorium that programs a wide range of events including new plays, musicals, family events, dance, stand up and pantomime. The three-tiered theatre dates back to 1908 and re-opened after several years of refurbishment in 2004 with a new bar and café open daily for snacks and drinks.

To the south of the town centre on Lower London Road is the Pump House Theatre & Arts Centre, an open-minded space that hosts a variety of dance, theatre, music and art shows and events. Originally an old pumping station, it was converted into a theatre in the 70s and now has a 124-capacity auditorium and live music venue which hosts regular folk, punk, jazz and open mic nights.

Founded in 1881, Watford FC found fame and fortune in the late 70s and early 80s under then manager Graham Taylor and club chairman Elton John, rising through the leagues to finish second in the First Division, reach the FA Cup Final and enter into the UEFA Cup. Since then, the team have been in the Premier League several times, including since the 2014/15 season. The club play their home games at the 21,577-capacity Vicarage Road ground a short walk from the town centre. The Hornets, as they’re known to their fans, are currently undergoing something of a renaissance, with solid finishes in the Premier League and an entertaining style of attacking football.

Located several miles north of the town centre in the Woodside Leisure Park, and a short drive from our Watford North hotel, Watford Vue is a modern 11-screen cinema complex with over 1,840 seats screening the latest Hollywood films. As well as the Vue complex, the Leisure Park is home to Hollywood Bowl, a soft play centre for children and several restaurants including Chiquito and Frankie and Benny’s.