Best/worst Pubs In Watford

As a Watford resident over the age of 18 I do find myself frequenting many of our town's watering holes. And while I do like Watford in general, I always find other places have better pubs. I'm not sure if this is genuinely the case or if variety/novelty of an exotic town makes an impression.

So what's the verdict? Are Watford pubs any good? What's the worst and best?

 

I don't think it's the pubs so much but the people that frequent them. For example the Weatherspoons in town is an utter sh*te hole whereas the one in Cambridge is a joy to be in.

However, to answer your question I quite like The Horns due to the music.

 

Watford is absolute dog shiit for pubs.

St Albans is much better, just a shame you are always surrounded by Jack Willis wearing cuunts called Charlie or Freddie who work in recruitment.

 

I can't think of a single pub in Watford that I'd go into for any other reason than a pre- or post-match swill. In fact, apart from the footy, there is no reason to go to Watford at all

 

I turned 18 in the early 90s and the selection of pubs then was awful. It hasn't improved and you've summed it up perfectly.

 

I used to go to the Nascot Arms (beyond St Albans Road from the Junction station) before games about 10 years ago, which I quite enjoyed. I have no idea what it's like now.

 

I’m not from Watford, but used to go there on a night out in my early twenties (so nearly twenty years ago now), I used to love them then, which means they were absolutely awful and I’d hate them now.

 

Yeah, me too. Decent pub.

 

Working in central London for the last 38 years I rarely use Watford town centre pubs. At weekends its Oxhey Village and The Villiers Arms which is pretty good, or the Swan in Bushey.

In my youth in the early 1980s if we weren’t going to Camden or soho, we would drive out to Flaunden, Chenies or Chandlers Cross or do the Bushey pubs like the Devonshire’s and Forresters. Watford pubs were not good. Pubs in Watford town centre meant the One Bell, Rose and Crown or the Oliver. The Estcourt Tavern was ok, and Lynchs (the Lower Estcourt) v.good. My original Watford local was the White Lion on St Albans Road. Jim ran a very good pub, and had many a good night there.

Pubs in the City and Westminster used to better IMHO. Pubs though are the people who use them. The ones I like are pretty near perfect.

 

Green Dragon in Flaunden, wasn’t it? Good one.

 

Oxhey Jet was my favourite. I was just googling to see when it closed, and note the odious Kerron Cross was all over the decision to close it. What's his username on here? I want to call him a *****.

https://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/news/735117.time-called-on-troubled-pub/

 

Me and my mates used to go clubbing in Watford in my yoof, but we mostly stopped off in the Bushey pubs before heading into town for maybe a last drink or two before hitting the clubs.

 

As a London metropolitan elite who likes craft beers, I’ve always found Watford’s lack of nice pubs strange. In fact I find it quite strange that it hasn’t been gentrified a bit with independent coffee shops and other shops. Maybe I’m just a snob now.

I grew up in Potters Bar and we only had one nice pub, The Manor, which is still pretty nice and nicer than any pub I know of in Watford.

 

Me and my mates used to go out to the villages in the early 80's too. Green Dragon and Bricklayers in Flaunden. Black Cat, Plough at Belsize, Cart and Horses, Boot in Chipperfield, Swan in Sarratt. Much better than the pubs in town.

 

I'm sure they'll find you that ideal position one day.

 

Oxhey Jets drew their FA Cup qualifying round yesterday.

 

I'd like to make a shout for my local, the Red Lion in Chenies.

 

Had lunch with a client in the Bedford Arms last week - very good (but not really a pub!)

 

Not as good as the Lion IMO. The Bedford had the run of the village for years when the Lion was closed and let things slide. Beer choice, pricing, service etc. All not amazing.

The Lion has a great selection of craft beers which is the most important piece for me.

The Bedford has a better setting, however, with a massive garden and parking.

 

My aunt and uncle ran the load of hay in Watford heath in the 60s I used to stay over in summer holidays as kid used to listen to the chat in the long room from upstairs till the kick out with my cousin Neil.
Sadly all have passed away now.
Anyway getting back to point, most pubs in Watford were Benskin owned but they did have a few good ales, but the drink drive laws changed everything footfall droped and folks headed out of town more to avoid the bill. So pubs had a choice to offer food and diversify or sell up. Spent my late teens at John ****insons social club in croxley green.
Who remembers that, Duke of York coach and horses but best pub for beer etc fox and hounds in new road. Ended up a few years latter buying a flat next door, but then no money to socialise with Oh well happy days!

 

There used to be one on Kings Street with a few pool tables that was always good for a pre-game pint.

Can't for the life of me remember it's name though...

 

Pubs and clubs we're much better in the 90s. I used to love Taylor's. One of the best pubs in Watford until it closed.

Bar Risa, Pancho's Villa, Bar Me, Paradise Lost.

Good times.

 

Was Taylors where the Ponderosa used to be, down by the One Crown?

I spent a lot of time in Pancho's Villa, Bodega and whatever Bar Me was called before that. The latter is now doing my head in as I can't remember the name.

 

Looks nice from the outside but a bit of a soul vacuum once you get through the door. Food was disappointing on the one occasion I ate there (about 18 months ago) too. And who said they could stick tables on the green over the road?

 

Ah man I can't remember now.

And searching on Google reminded me of the other great one - The Levi on st Albans road!

 

The Hogshead - it finally came back to me.

 

Ah yeah that was it!

 

Has it reopened? Was shut for ages. Used to meet a friend who lives in the village. A brisk walk down to Chorleywood to get the met home

 

Robert Peel then called something like McQues

 

Yep.

 

Look who I was replying to...

 

Is that the one by the cricket ground? If so, a very nice pub and always stopped there for a drink when playing at Chenies