The Forum

The Forum is a concert hall in Kentish Town within the Borough of Camden, featuring several floors with a main standing area on the ground level and a balcony on the upper floor. The hall holds 2,300 people during live performances and has a central stage visible from all areas.

The building opened in 1934 as a cinema designed by architect John Stanley Coombe Beard in Italian Renaissance style with art deco elements. Later it became an Irish dance hall and then a bingo hall, before turning into a concert venue in the 1990s.

The name comes from the ancient Roman gathering place, though today the building hosts rock concerts and electronic music events. Visitors notice the mix of historical decorations on the walls and modern stage setups that adapt the room for contemporary performances.

The hall sits in Kentish Town on Highgate Road near the underground station of the same name and is served by several bus routes. Most events take place in the evening, so planning the return journey in advance is advisable.

The interior preserves plasterwork and light fixtures from the opening period, mounted on the walls alongside today's sound equipment. These old decorations frame the modern lighting and sound system and recall the time when films were shown here.

Location: London Borough of Camden

Inception: 1934

Architects: John Stanley Coombe Beard

Address: 9-17 Highgate Road, Kentish Town, London, Camden, NW5 1JY, England

Website: https://academymusicgroup.com/o2forumkentishtown

GPS coordinates: 51.55220,-0.14220

Latest update: December 20, 2025 11:22