The Forum Music Centre
The Forum Music Centre
The Forum Music Centre
4.5
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
Darlington's Home of Live Music' Music venue, Bar,Recording studio's, Rehearsal rooms and more!
Duration: More than 3 hours
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- Victoria • 10 min walk
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
69 reviews
Excellent
42
Very good
24
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
3
elmreed
Doncaster, UK17 contributions
Jan 2023 • Friends
We travelled up to Darlington for a weekend away and went to The Forum to watch the Total Stone Roses. We had a great night. It a tidy little venue with great staff. Full respect to the bar staff for keeping the line flowing. Refreshing to go into a place and actually have a decent pint in a glass rather than a plastic cup. Locals were welcoming and we’ll definitely be returning.
Written 22 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
shackleston
Redcar, UK1,866 contributions
Apr 2022
Good gig venue, its small with good acoustics makes it very intermit. There are many good draught beers. Friendly staff. Saw Sarri Sorr and Chantel McGregor and many others like Ian McNabb.
Written 29 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tim C
Croft-on-Tees, UK1,233 contributions
Sept 2020
Popped in to The Forum for the first time last Friday to see The Petty Heartbreakers; a Tom Petty Tribute Band. An excellent evening and full marks to The Forum for a well organised COVID protocol. Spacial awareness and a cosy number of visitors. Clean loos and an efficient bar service. Well done.
Written 28 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you
Written 6 October 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Margaret F
Darlington, UK5 contributions
Sept 2021
I like the Forum very much and attended quite regularly, but recently it has become impossible to deal with them. I have just been refused a refund for an gig they cancelled and rescheduled, which contravenes my consumer rights.
I was happy to see their new website which sells tickets direct, but you can't operate it and actually buy one.
Something has changed there, you can no longer trust the venue to deliver on anything.
I am saddened by this and hope they can return to some kind of acceptable service.
I was happy to see their new website which sells tickets direct, but you can't operate it and actually buy one.
Something has changed there, you can no longer trust the venue to deliver on anything.
I am saddened by this and hope they can return to some kind of acceptable service.
Written 18 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, we cannot apologise for this review as we paid the refunds you requested and promptly sent you an email to confirm this as soon as the transaction confirmation came through. If an event has been cancelled or rescheduled and you cannot make the new date we happily issue refunds before the event has expired, however due to banking terms the money transfer can take a few days. You say you had trouble booking tickets via our website but then you telephoned the Forum and a member of staff helped you make the transaction successfully over the phone. The website booking system is new but we do not have any other reason to suspect there are issues with it. We have invested heavily over the last year to ensure the experience of our guests is greatly improved therefore I challenge you when you say that there is a decline. If you have any other issues that you feel have not been resolved then please email me Allison Mckay Managing Director of the Forum Music Studios at allison.mckay@forummusicstudios.co.uk
Written 6 October 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Formula C
Darlington47 contributions
Oct 2017 • Solo
I went to see Dudley Sutton last night, one of our great character actors. There was to be an accompanying film. It wasn't on because a bearded person suggested it would be churlish to accept an offer of £2 return on the cost for his failure to get a licence for a film they'd billed for months. So anyone fancy the brewery trip or can't they organise a p*** up in a brewery? As for music centre, it's just wall to wall tribute acts. No wonder music is dying.
Written 3 October 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi I am sorry the film that was advertised could not be shown and understand your disappointment. At short notice we were informed by the company that owns the rights to the film that we would need to pay them a fee to show the film, we were previously not made aware of this. The Film Club is run by volunteers and the entry cost of £10 was to cover Dudley's expenses only, I do hope you enjoyed meeting Dudley Sutton as everyone else seemed to. As for wall to wall tributes we do have many original gig nights but unfortunately the demand is less than the tributes. The tributes and cover bands that we schedule are quality professional musicians and performers and should be thought no less of. We are a not for profit Social Enterprise and have to cover our costs to keep going therefore demand is a priority.
regards
Allison McKay
Managing Director, Humantics CIC
Written 4 October 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
anth4387
Darlington, UK51 contributions
Oct 2019 • Friends
Drinks are a good price and the place it’s self is good. Enjoyed the time we spent here, from Bands to comedians they have it all
Written 23 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for the positive feedback, it helps greatly
Written 6 October 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Ian C
Darlington, UK89 contributions
Oct 2017 • Friends
FormulaCubRacer posted recently slating an evening with Dudley Sutton which due a license issue meant rather than a film screening we got a full evening of anecdotes and titbits from the great man himself.
The Film Club provide a great service for people in and around the town, as does the Forum itself, which he also chose to slate.
In reality his reviews are worth very little as it seems he almost goes one end or the other with his points...how many places seriously warrant a 1 or a 5?
Dudley Sutton has been a good actor over many years but he isn't one of our 'great character actors', he was in some decent films and some awful ones but he has worked with so many great actors and as such had a wealth of stories to more than compensate for the lack of film and give us a fabulous evenings entertainment.
In the end we effectively had 'An Evening With' night, which if you went to watch one of those at a theatre would cost much more than a tenner.
When individuals give up their time to put on these shows then perhaps a bit of respect and understanding by those attending isn't too much to ask for?
Thanks to all those involved with the Film Club and the Forum...onwards and upwards.
The Film Club provide a great service for people in and around the town, as does the Forum itself, which he also chose to slate.
In reality his reviews are worth very little as it seems he almost goes one end or the other with his points...how many places seriously warrant a 1 or a 5?
Dudley Sutton has been a good actor over many years but he isn't one of our 'great character actors', he was in some decent films and some awful ones but he has worked with so many great actors and as such had a wealth of stories to more than compensate for the lack of film and give us a fabulous evenings entertainment.
In the end we effectively had 'An Evening With' night, which if you went to watch one of those at a theatre would cost much more than a tenner.
When individuals give up their time to put on these shows then perhaps a bit of respect and understanding by those attending isn't too much to ask for?
Thanks to all those involved with the Film Club and the Forum...onwards and upwards.
Written 9 October 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your positive and fair review
Written 11 October 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Scott W
1 contribution
Oct 2017 • Friends
My recent visit to monday night's film club event was a truly incredible night.
Star guest for the night was actor Dudley Sutton who delighted the crowds with a 2hr 15min talk about his life and extensive film and TV career. Despite a last minute change in schedule (The planned showing of 'The Boys' film had to be cancelled due to objections and unreasonable monetary demands from new copyright holders).
After such a fun, humorous evening I'm sure anyone feeling short changed was in the wrong place. Well done to the organisers and superb staff. This is just one of many events I have attended at this venue. I can't recommend it enough.
Star guest for the night was actor Dudley Sutton who delighted the crowds with a 2hr 15min talk about his life and extensive film and TV career. Despite a last minute change in schedule (The planned showing of 'The Boys' film had to be cancelled due to objections and unreasonable monetary demands from new copyright holders).
After such a fun, humorous evening I'm sure anyone feeling short changed was in the wrong place. Well done to the organisers and superb staff. This is just one of many events I have attended at this venue. I can't recommend it enough.
Written 9 October 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for the great review, I am pleased you enjoyed the evening and the many other events that you attend. Thanks for your ongoing support
Written 11 October 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
thediner132
Darlington, England, United Kingdom26 contributions
Aug 2015 • Family
Fantastic venue, pleased that youngsters can come here and showcase their skills, some talented acts about locally
Written 18 September 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Janine S
Darlington, UK11 contributions
Apr 2015 • Couples
Great night out - down to earth and have seen some excellent bands here. Good for an alternative night out and bar prices are good!
Written 9 September 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hi thinking of visiting with my 40 yr old son who is wheelchair bound is it wheelchair friendly thanks
Written 30 September 2017
Sorry this reply has taken so long but I've just seen your question.
I think it is wheelchair friendly. There is a ramp up to the main door and there are no steps between the bar and the main hall. I have seen people there in wheelchairs so I think you can presume it will be ok.
Written 16 October 2017
Hello, we have a small car park to the rear and there is a large car park on Brunswick Street, I think this costs around £2 per day.
Written 24 May 2017
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