ABOUT US
The Forge Venue has been specially designed by the award-winning Burd Haward Architects. With natural acoustics for live musical performance, The Forge is the perfect venue for concerts, rehearsals, recordings, auditions and other arts-based activities.
The Forge is also a fantastic space for corporate functions, meetings, wedding receptions, private parties and other events.
The Forge
The Forge is an intimate venue seating up to 100 people, specially designed with natural acoustics for live musical performance. The building has been designed where possible with environmental issues in mind and includes features such as solar panels and natural ventilation systems. The intimate size and atmosphere of The Forge make performances here unique, offering a personal experience not possible at larger venues.
Musical performances can occur in a number of different formats: as a self-contained event in The Forge, background music in the restaurant or as a joint venture with our onsite eatery and bar, in which case the whole of the ground floor will be opened out to create one large space.
Glazed Courtyard
The Forge is connected to the downstairs bar by a beautiful double-height glazed courtyard which acts as both an eating space for the Osteria and a foyer space for The Forge. Within the courtyard is the building’s central focus: a stunning 6.5 metre high ‘living wall’ of plants. Designed by Katharine Bradburn, we are able to boast the first and only internal living wall within a restaurant throughout the UK. The perfect inside-outside space.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is the venue family friendly?
Yes we are – children are welcome at all concerts so long as they are accompanied by a responsible adult. - What is the best way to buy tickets?
From this website in our ‘What’s On’ section, booking online is the best way to ensure that you get a ticket for any of our events. We are a very small team, so cannot guarantee to be in the office to answer the telephone. - Doors means…the time that the door to the Forge will open for audiences to get seated. Generally the door time stated is half an hour before the start of the performance.
- Are we disability accessible?
Yes we are entirely accessible. - When are our office hours?
As a small team you may find that there is no one in the office when you ring. We pick up messages from Tuesday-Friday. - What is our seating?
We can seat up to 100 in the Forge. Seating is unreserved apart from on a Friday evening for those who would like to book a table to dine. - Can I park nearby?
There is an NCP carpark in Pratt Street which is open until 8pm. There is free parking in certain areas around the venue from 6:30pm on weekdays and from 5:30pm on weekends
At a glance
The Forge is a highly flexible acoustic space suitable for a wide range of performance activities. Whatever your needs, from a recital to a wedding, we can put together the perfect package. Features include:
- Seating for up to 100 people on the ground floor and in the first floor gallery
- Steinway Model ‘B’ Grand Piano
- 3.2m x 5.4m stage
- PA & sound equipment
- Stage lighting
- Ceiling-mounted projector and screen
- Infra-red Assisted Hearing System
- 10 tables for cafe-style seating
- Green room
- Catering available