Forum Waterford
Forum Waterford, The Glen, Waterford City is one of South East Ireland's premier entertainment venues.
The premises originally opened as 'The Regal' in 1937 and operated as a 1,500 seated cinema up to the 70's, after which bingo became its mainstay. Purchased by a local company, Coherent Enterprises Ltd, it was extensively refurbished during the second half of the 80's and was transformed into a 1,200 seated modern concert hall, which opened as 'The Forum' in 1990. The following decade it played host to the top touring acts including: Johnny Cash, The Corrs, David Gray, Van Morrison, Christy Moore, Billy Connolly, and many more.
In 1998 an adjoining licensed premises was purchased by the Company, which eventually was converted into a modern off-licence and became part of the national 'Next Door' group. During the millennium year major renovations again took place with Forum Waterford that created a multi-purpose venue downstairs and a separate theatre space upstairs, with the aim of the premises being more versatile. Late Club nights were added to the regular shows and bingo sessions there. A third renovation programme was undertaken by Coherent Enterprises Ltd in 2006/7 which saw the installation of a full kitchen downstairs to add food to the drink and entertainment elements of the business and downstairs was converted into a fine dining 160 seated restaurant with a small stage. The upstairs venue was then solely used for the bingo sessions, live shows (including Calvin Harris, Train, Coronas, Imelda May) and club nights (including the long running indie club - 'Traffik'.
Currently downstairs in Forum Waterford is operated as a Chinese restaurant called 'Peeking House', which is open 7 days a week and also does a home delivery service. The off-licence is now a 'Number 21' outlet and is open every day from 10.30pm (12.30pm on Sundays) till 10.00pm nightly. Upstairs has been converted into an exclusive modern 512 seater with tables Bingo Hall, with built-in mechanised bingo(Pongo). Link Bingo takes place nightly with other Clubs around Ireland. It is open every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Sunday with doors at 7.00pm and eyes down at 8.25pm. It finishes at 10.15pm (approx). Visitors are welcome and it is over 16's only.
Forum Waterford in 2015 celebrated 25 years in business and since opening it has been owned and operated by Coherent Enterprises Ltd. under its Managing Director, Ciaran O'Neill.
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