Our History

We believe our building was originally a hotel called The Railway Hotel, with The Midland Railway hotel on the opposite side of the road, and both being positioned next to St Albans City Station. The hotel used to have the occasional band or acts perform back in the 60’s, then in the early 70’s the site changed to a public house called The Horn of Plenty.

During the 70’s it became known as a great live music venue, and was run by Bob Andrews and then by Vinnie Jones mum! We are not sure about owners or managers of the site during the 80’s and early 90’s (but if you have any info please let us know).

In 1994 The Horn of Plenty underwent refurbishment, changing its name to The Horn Reborn. The venue was refurbished in 2007 and renamed simply as The Horn and has subsequently won UK Music Pub of the Year twice and UK Entertainment Pub Of The Year.

In 2012 the Horn underwent yet another refurbishment hopefully ensuring the future of the venue for many years to come!

Everyone connected to the site past and present are proud to have been part of this historic venue which has helped local acts such as Paul Young, The Subways, Enter Shikari, Friendly Fires, Gallows and many more by providing somewhere for them to develop their craft.

Back in the day

• The legendary John Peel was a frequent customer.
• Kym Wilde used to work behind the bar.
• Paul Young started here playing every Monday with his band Street Band

Bands

Some of the great artists that have played here – If there are any that you think should be listed, then drop us a line

• Adrian Edmundson
• Albert Lee
• Argent
• Art Brut
• Arthur Brown
• Bad Manners
• Bastille
• Bert Jansch
• Bez from Happy Mondays
• Chas & Dave
• Chloe Howl
• Chris Difford
• Chris Farlowe
• Chrissie Hynde
• Discharge
• Dodgy
• Eddie + The Hotrods
• Enter Shikari
• Friendly Fires
• Gallows
• Geno Washington
• Glen Tilbrook
• Half Man Half Biscuit
• Hazel O’Connor
• Hugh Cornwell (The Stranglers)
• Jon Otway
• Marillion
• Mike Peters (The Alarm)
• Mother Earth
• Motorhead
• Newton Faulkner
• Neville Staple (The Specials)
• Nine Below Zero
• Osibisa
• Paul Young
• Roy Harper
• Reef
• Pete Best (original Beatles drummer)
• Sade
• Sam Brown
• Sikth
• Small Faces
• The Almighty
• The Animals
• The Hamsters
• The Never Never Band
• The Selecter
• The Subways
• The Vibrators
• The Wildhearts (Ginger)
• The Zutons
• Tom Robinson
• Toyah Wilcox
• Turin Brakes
• TV Smith
• U2
• UK Subs
• Wilko Johnson
• Wishbone Ash
• Wolfsbane
• Wreckless Eric