The Horns is a legendary Watford live-music venue and traditional pub at 1 Hempstead Road (WD17 3RL), a 10-minute walk from Watford Junction, hosting live music since 2001. It books bands, original artists, tribute and cover acts and well-known names across all genres — from jazz to rock and indie — alongside a regular, entertaining open-mic night (schedule varies, check listings). Backline is provided for visiting acts: one guitar amp, a bass amp and a drum kit, so bands can travel light. Open Mon–Thu noon–midnight, Fri noon–1am, Sat 11am–1am and Sun noon–10:30pm.
Watford · Dates vary · No fee listed
The Horns Open Mic
Occasional open mic at The Horns — Watford's legendary Hempstead Road rock pub.
Kick-off time to be confirmed. No fee listed.
Nearby open micsUpdated 13 November 2026
At a glance
Checked 27 Sept 202620:00
Kick-off
night
time tbc · we're working to find outnight
| Night | Dates vary |
| Sign-up | Walk-in |
| Slot | Ask the host |
| Entry | No fee listed · 18+ |
| Backline | PA provided |
01 — Inside the room
4 photosPhotos: Google
172
page views on GigXchange. Is it your night?
0 members voted to bring the venue onto GigXchange02 — The details
Before you goEverything you need to know
0
Member votes
votes to get this venue on GigXchange
| Capacity | – |
| Performer types | Musicians · All performers |
| Website | thehornswatford.co.uk |
The check
| Status | Being verified |
Help keep this trueOne tap
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03 — The night
Dates varyHow the night runs
This night is irregular
Check the date before you goRunning order
20:00 Kick-off (tbc)
23:30 Close (tbc)
Times marked tbc aren't confirmed yet - we're working to find out.
04 — Find The Horns
WatfordGetting there
1 Hempstead Road,
Watford WD17 3RL
Watford WD17 3RL
The nearest station is Watford Junction (rail station), about 10 minutes' walk away.
05 — What's on stage
1 provided · 6 TBC| PA system | Provided |
| Drum kit | TBC |
| Guitar amp | TBC |
| Bass amp | TBC |
| Keys / keyboard | TBC |
| Vocal mics | TBC |
| In-house engineer | TBC |
06 — About
WatfordAbout the night
The Horns on Hempstead Road is a legendary Watford live-music pub that ran a busy Wednesday open mic and jam night, with backline (guitar amp, bass and drums) and free entry. It closed on 7 February 2026 - but it has since RE-OPENED under new management, and its own gig guide is back to a full week-by-week programme of free-entry bands running months ahead. The open mic itself is not currently advertised, so check the venue's own listings before turning up to play.
The Horns is a legendary Watford live-music venue and traditional pub at 1 Hempstead Road (WD17 3RL), a 10-minute walk from Watford Junction, hosting live music since 2001. It books bands, original artists, tribute and cover acts and well-known names across all genres — from jazz to rock and indie — alongside a regular, entertaining open-mic night (schedule varies, check listings). Backline is provided for visiting acts: one guitar amp, a bass amp and a drum kit, so bands can travel light. Open Mon–Thu noon–midnight, Fri noon–1am, Sat 11am–1am and Sun noon–10:30pm.
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What you get | 01 | Correct the day, time and sign-up |
| 02 | Edit your profile and photos |
| 03 | Receive artist enquiries |
| 04 | Update backline and capacity |
Watford · Dates vary
The Horns Open Mic
Occasional open mic at The Horns — Watford's legendary Hempstead Road rock pub.
- TBA
- Open mic night
- May 2026
- Listed since
- 27 Sept
- Last checked
- No fee
- Entry
- —
- Sign-up time
- Community
- Listing status
Run a Watford open mic? List it free — reviewed before it goes live
Last updated: 13 November 2026
The Horns Open Mic — Quick Facts
The Horns Open Mic runs on dates that vary at The Horns in Watford. Occasional open mic at The Horns — Watford's legendary Hempstead Road rock pub. Below: when it runs, sign-up and slots, the stage kit and how to get there.
Open mic status Last checked 27 Sept 2026
How sure we are
Partly verified
Sign-up is on the night - get there early to get a slot. A PA is listed; check what else is on stage before you bring a band.
Age18+
Sign-upWalk-in on the night
Who playsMusicians · All performers
BacklinePA provided
Sound engineerAsk the venue
Directory statusBeing verified
Member votes0 to get the venue on GigXchange
Websitethehornswatford.co.uk
How do you rate this open mic?One tap, no sign-up required.
Spotted something wrong with this listing?Closed, moved night, different start time? Let us know. We review corrections within 7 days.
NightVariesdates vary
StartsTBCstart timeNot confirmed yet
Sign-upWalk-insign-up
SlotsTBCslot lengthNot confirmed yet
What’s on in Watford this week — or see what’s on across the UK.
About This Open Mic
The Horns on Hempstead Road is a legendary Watford live-music pub that ran a busy Wednesday open mic and jam night, with backline (guitar amp, bass and drums) and free entry. It closed on 7 February 2026 - but it has since RE-OPENED under new management, and its own gig guide is back to a full week-by-week programme of free-entry bands running months ahead. The open mic itself is not currently advertised, so check the venue's own listings before turning up to play.
Equipment and backline at this venue — what's on stage, verified regularly.
PA systemProvided
Drum kitTBC
Guitar ampTBC
Bass ampTBC
Keys / keyboardTBC
Vocal micsTBC
In-house engineerTBC
The Night at a Glance
How The Horns’s TBA night runs.
Sign-up opensTBCNot confirmed yet
Kick-offTBCNot confirmed yet
Music endsTBCNot confirmed yet
Venue closesTBCNot confirmed yet
How often
Dates vary
Getting there
Watford, WD17 3RL - the map is below.
Kit
The Horns provides a PA system — check the rest with the venue.
First time here?
Get there early for a slot, have your instrument tuned before your turn.
Find The Horns
1 Hempstead Road, Watford WD17 3RL
Address1 Hempstead Road
AreaWatford
PostcodeWD17 3RL
DirectionsOpen in Google Maps →
Getting there
The nearest station is Watford Junction (rail station), about 10 minutes' walk away. You'll find The Horns in Watford; WD17 3RL is the postcode for sat-nav and ride apps. Check the venue's website for parking and the nearest station.
Open mics nearby
Johnny's Bar, The Horn, Mad Squirrel and The Oddfellows Arms
Station data: NaPTAN, Department for Transport (Open Government Licence).
Planning Your TBA Night
Arrive early to sign up for a slot. The Horns provides a PA system — check the rest with the venue.
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Common Questions
9 things people ask before turning up at Watford's The Horns open mic.
Walk-in sign-up only. Arrive early — slots fill on the night. See other Watford open mic nights for alternatives.
The Horns provides a PA system — check the rest with the venue.
Slot length varies — check with the host.
No entry fee is listed for The Horns's open mic - most open mics are free to play and to watch, but check with the venue before you go. Browse Watford open mics.
Ask the host before bringing a full band — solo and duo acts are the usual open-mic format.
1 Hempstead Road, Watford WD17 3RL.
Mostly fellow musicians, friends and Watford regulars across the Watford open mic scene. Watford open mic crowds tend to listen attentively.
The nearest station is Watford Junction (rail station), about 10 minutes' walk away. For sat-nav and taxis, the postcode is WD17 3RL. (Station data: NaPTAN, Department for Transport, Open Government Licence.)
Sign-up is walk-in on the night, so you do not need to book ahead. GigXchange doesn't publish venue phone numbers or emails - the venue's own website is linked on this page. Browse other Watford open mics.
Venues Near The Horns
No other gigs are listed at The Horns in the GigXchange directory yet — these are the rooms around it, their size, kit and live nights.
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See what’s on in Watford over the next four weeks →
The Horns open mic in brief. The Horns open mic runs dates vary (no fee listed). The Horns’ venue page has its kit and capacity if you want to come back with a full band. For another night this week, the open mics near Watford are listed by day.
Booking or playing in Watford? The GX Index publishes what UK gigs actually pay, by city, band size and venue type, and the GX Index reports set out the methodology and the sample behind every figure. Both are free to read and free to cite.
Keep exploring: the UK gig directory for what's coming up, the venue directory for rooms that book live music, the open mic finder for recurring stage time, and what's on across the UK this week. The blog covers pricing, contracts and getting booked, and about GigXchange explains who runs it and why. Something not right on this page? Tell us — or start on the home page.
09 — More Watford open mics
All ›Looking for paid gigs, not open mics? See Watford gigs or check the going rate.
10 — Venues near The Horns
All ›More rooms near The Horns: The Farmer's Boy, The Hub on Verulam, The Pump House, The Saint & Sinner, The Speckled Hen, Watford Colosseum, Blackwells Chipperfield, Chandos Arms, Cocos Stanmore, Horse And Chains and Oneforty.
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