Ava, Watford

Reopened recently under the name AVA. Despite the name it is still pretty much a pub rather than a restaurant. Nothing structurally has changed but the interior makeover with new furnishings has been done well and the place looks brighter. Two handpumps were in operation on my visit, but as it was early afternon and I was the only one in there I decided not to risk it. The food offering is based on Brazilian cuisine, with a pretty upmarket looking menu. The old stage area is still there, it has been updated and they say that they will soon commence live music gigs that the Horns was famous for.

Currently closed due to debts. The pub has a gofundme page to try to raise £50k to get the doors open again. There may be occasional fundraising gigs but from a day to day perspective the pub is closed.

A pub on the outskirts of Watford's High Street and heavy on the music side of things, with framed photos of musicians, flyers and album covers adorning the walls inside. The small car park to the right of the pub also has a sign saying 'Parking for visiting bands only'. A 30s-style build, it has an opened-up L-shaped interior, with boarded floor, third-height wood panelling around most of the periphery and bar with a dark-wooded fascia and more wood behind. Bench seating opposite the bar with accompanying tables and small stools, some standard tables and chairs around to the left, with an alcove rear left with more bench / table / stool combos. There's a stage area bottom left of the bar which two guys were noisely setting up on my Monday night visit beyond the strains of Absolute 80s. There are some nice stained glass inserts on the external windows which look to be newer additions (one of a guitar and one of a bull's skull) and signs for the conveniences looked to be 30s approximations of the Art Nouveau style. To the beer: a disappointing line-up of Sharp's Doom Bar, GK IPA and Abbot Ale. Worth looking into for the decor, but the beer selection won't set your pulse racing.