Barbican Centre image

Barbican Centre

Tourist attraction Event venue Live music venue Performing arts theater Art gallery Conference center Movie theater Art center Library Exhibition and trade center

One of the Most Reviewed Libraries in London


Address

Silk St, Barbican, London EC2Y 8DS, United Kingdom

Website

www.barbican.org.uk

Contact

+44 20 7870 2500

Rating on Google Maps

4.60 (3.7K reviews)

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Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: Barbican (27) architecture (20) visit (17) great (16) good (16) London (15) theatre (15) nice (13) people (13) conservatory (12)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Saki T. 2 years ago on Google
    This is my favorite place in London. It has a cafe and a library, which makes it a great workspace. The conservatory is very hard to get booked. I'm considering joining a membership. Also the brutalism architecture is very cool. I would love to live in a residence here.
    8 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Rod G. 1 year ago on Google
    The Barbican Centre is one of those iconic London sights. Unfortunately, it is starting to look a bit shabby and tired and in need of a good injection of money. I was surprised to see it wasn't as busy as I would have expected it to be. There are restaurants, bars, coffee shops, accessible toilets, accessible entrances, accessible parking facilities, smoking areas, plenty parking, good public transport connections, good variety of events, good atmosphere for kids.
    7 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Stephanie P. 2 years ago on Google
    Always so nice to visit. I love the Barbican! such an interesting architecture and gardens. Is always very nice, clean and quiet. Exhibitions are interesting. There’s also a cinema with usually a good movie selection.
    6 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Deena C. 1 year ago on Google
    Perfect place to relax and wind down. The water fountains and greenery added to the peaceful atmosphere didn’t feel like your in central London. Even tho the conservatory was closed great location
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 stockeeey 1 year ago on Google
    One of my favourite places to hang out in London! It's widely accessible, many bike stands outside. An absolute gem with beautiful plants and art installations. The conservatory has 1000s of plants in it and is an highlight of the Barbican. The inner open area is also super beautiful and relaxing, with good food choices. We once watched the movie "The Artist" with an orchestra and it was amazing. Always love to come back!
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Katy T. 1 year ago on Google
    Loved the show!!! We saw Anything Goes... If you're considering it it's lush, we really enjoyed it. In terms of the venue itself. There are a few levels and the toilet queues were a tad confusing but the actual theatre itself was amazing. The seats are really comfortable and solid. It's air conditioned and I would go there again tomorrow.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Gary J. 2 months ago on Google • 791 reviews New
    The Barbican Centre is a unique venue in London and if you can get tickets for the theatre, the trip will be more memorable. The theatre is big and can hold a lot of people. Food and drink as you would expect is expensive. There is plenty of space outside of the theatre to move around so you don't feel cramped in. The one thing that lets the place down is the toilets. They are very outdated and cannot accommodate the number of people who need to use them. The queues can last for the entirety of the intermission. Apart from that, it was a great night out.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Nusynasy S. 2 months ago on Google • 190 reviews New
    The choice of cultural programs are great. Location is good, however the available toilets are ridiculous. The queuing was so long for the loo I missed some of the concert. The acoustics in the hall is great with excellent atmosphere with always full house. Do something with the facilities please . John Williams debut was unmissable and great fun
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Zubair S. 6 months ago on Google • 219 reviews
    Iconic London arts centre with lots to see and do. The Barbican has a theatre and a conservatory among many other cool exhibitions and spaces. The conservatory is a wonderful oasis of calm, and I love to come here to be among the diverse range of plants. I recently went to a late at the conservatory where they were showcasing a new installation of sculptures intertwined with the plants. Wonderful.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Z H. 2 years ago on Google
    Like most people, I have mixed feelings about brutalist architecture, but the Barbican is a great example of how the modernist dream can work when combined with green spaces and cultural venues. An enjoyable place to come and get lost taking photos and then enjoy a film, music, art exhibition, theatrical performance or just have something to eat.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Zafer N. 2 years ago on Google
    I wanted to say thank you to my wife for not giving up on me during hard times, and to surprise her on her 30th birthday. So I contacted the venue to ask for a mention and a tribute to her as a special request from a known artist. They replied promptly, took it seriously, forwarded the request to the artist, and he did it! Also I know that a good event venue is a venue where stewarding staff are nice, and professional. Thank you Barbican, special thanks to Aimee and Micheal for making this happen.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Dan E. 1 year ago on Google
    The Barbican is such a fascinating place on so many levels. The history, architecture and cultural impact of the estate and its surrounds deserve further exploration. It’s also a marvellous place to photograph as it has so many unique qualities.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Chiemela O. 1 year ago on Google
    I attend a product conference at the Barbican center and it was all shades of awesome. The center attendants are efficient and proactive in their duties. Amenities and hall was well equipped and functional. I definitely recommend the center as it would pass for one of the best in the area or city!👍🏾
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Harry K. 1 month ago on Google • 681 reviews New
    Interesting space. An ode to Cement. Unexpectedly huge. A bit of a labyrinth. Lots of spaces of interest, from art exhibitions to theaters, to play areas to outside spaces, to food courts to coffee shops and not to forget the big conservatory (provided you go on a Sunday or on a Bank holiday). Certainly a place of interest, can easily spend the day in it. Although a bit gloomy with lots of dark colours (could do with some white colour) it is definitely worth a visit.

  • 5/5 Ralu K. 7 months ago on Google
    It is such am impressive place. The mix between concrete and nature, the details, the attention for every building and its purpose is even more impressive when I'm thinking that is was build when this careful architecture was not the norm. The Roman wall, the lake with its coloured water to give the deep to the water iub order to compensate the high of the buildings around, the high path ... are all points to mandatory see. Also, the architecture tour is a must. Definitely I just felt in love with this place, is brutally charming with all the balconies full of flowers, ducks at the door...I wanna live there.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Luna Z. 1 year ago on Google
    Barbican is a wonderful place for exhibitions, concerts, and theatres. As an education research student I would also describe it as an amazing avenue for all purposes: visiting, exploring, learning, getting relaxed, getting inspired, getting together, and growing to be a better person. For example, I entered the exhibition 'Our Time on Earth' today, which inspired me very much on my standing as human, and my ongoing PhD research at the IOE. I hope to visit the Barbican Centre in future again! 😊👏🌟
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Tony M. 1 month ago on Google • 376 reviews New
    We went on the tour. Beth, our tour guide, was amazing. She is very knowledgeable and a great communicator. The Barbican centre itself is a monument to how not to build housing for people. Its success is due to some fortunate policy changes at government level and now provides living for a specific well off subset of society. The arrogance and lack of understanding of human behaviour by the architects is shown all around the 40 acre estate. The saviour of the Barbarian centre is the concert hall and the art school. Well worth a visit as everyone can learn from it.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Nettie A. 1 year ago on Google
    Concerts, Art exhibits, restaurants and really interesting architecture. We have seen Paul Simon Graceland re-envisioned and Noguchi’s art exhibit and lectures. Love the Barbican! Really cool bar. So many restaurants and cultural events.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Sophie F. 4 months ago on Google • 4 reviews
    Loved my first visit to the Barbican, the free exhibition was very interesting, had a nice coffee and cake overlooking the lakeside and really enjoyed the architecture tour. There is a great vibe here with people working in little nooks and a feeling that you're welcome. The architecture tour was £15, 90 minutes long and very thorough, you even get to go into a maintenance tunnel. Well worth it to support this place. Long live the Barbican!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 David C. 2 years ago on Google
    John Williams evening was amazing / very nostalgic!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jenny S. 5 months ago on Google • 159 reviews
    Wow! What a place! I only wanted to visit the conservatory as I saw a video on Tik Tok recommending a hidden gem to visit! Unfortunately, there was an event going on and will have to wait until it's open to the public. I read on the website that they will reveal upcoming dates regarding this! I explored inside the centre but it was tricky as a first timer to find out how to get inside the building as it felt like kind of a weird maze with twists and turns! Inside was the same too! As there were stairs leading to different areas. The gift shop was very expensive! But it was nice to have a little wonder and look around. There are a number of seats to sit down and places to chill. There was a music shop and wanted to visit there but did not have a clue in how to reach that particular area. Weird or what? Will definitely come back and explore its architecture for sure! It's history was definitely interesting to hear about via You Tube. Have a look, have a look! :)
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Ray F. 3 months ago on Google • 124 reviews New
    Love the space and shows they have on offer. Clean and tidy and free WiFi. Went to see My neighbour Totoro. Was wonderful. Sat in row F 32. Perfect views.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Andrew G. 1 month ago on Google • 237 reviews New
    An easy walk from Farringdon. Plenty of internal space The view and sound in the Hall is very good. I haven't been into the theatre or tried the food outlets

  • 4/5 Jade C. 2 months ago on Google • 8 reviews New
    I went for the My Neighbor Totoro performance. It was wonderful. I could easily hear everything, and I was able to see everything clearly. The seats were comfortable and I didn’t get as cold as I did like other theatres I’ve been to. The queues for the bathrooms were long (especially for the women). If it’s your first time there, I’d recommend going early to make sure you find your seat on time and get snacks or a drink before the performance you choose starts. It’s a bit of a maze at first!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Chris Designs Life ᅳ Railway J. 3 years ago on Google
    Secret Estate in central London
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Karen B. 2 years ago on Google
    I visited the theatre to see the Sunday matinee of Anything Goes. The play was hilarious. I was in the stalls with a bargain on the day Rush ticket from TodayTix, and the view was great. There is a lot of space outside the theatre (although this is shared with the other venues in the Barbican) and things to do if you get there early. The stalls had very long rows, with fixed seating (rather than tip-up seats) and just one centre block with side aisles. This made it difficult when people needed to get past. The seats were comfortable and the safety curtain at the interval was the shiniest one I've seen! It was easy to get to from Moorgate station, which seemed a lot easier than using Barbican station.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Ravi 1 year ago on Google
    A lovely venue one that I'd wish I'd gone back to more often. I think how well the room works is really dependent on what's being shown or played. Being off-center does quite dramatically imbalance the stereo sound and I know a wider angled if a video is being shown the screen is also partly obscured. There's a lot of work that's gone into sound correcting the room and for the most part it works quite well. There are huge amounts of hard surfaces and significant voids behind the panelling. There is consistently a slant towards high frequencies, low mids and below roll off dramatically. This leaves the sound a little thin and especially so in quieter sections. Notably, during Scot of the Antarctic, the vocal overlay was absolutely ear piercing and painful. I think it's likely because of the pitch of the original recording combining with the room design. There's a cocktail bar upstairs which is quite nice, but quite slow. Not worth a dedicated trip but not bad for a quick drink before a show.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Javier A. 1 year ago on Google
    Nice space in the heart of the City. Worth to visit. Very stylish. Lots of films and videoclips have been recorded in the location, such as the recent one from Harry Styles:As it was. They have multiple gardens, bars, museums, shops, fish ponds and other places to entertain. All is connected by bridges over the streets.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Carlos B. 2 years ago on Google
    The Barbican Centre is a really interesting place in London to visit, to enjoy classical and contemporary music concerts, theatre performances, films and art exhibitions. There is a nice cafeteria and a nice restaurant where to eat. The design of the centre is also very interesting, brutalist style. Highly recommended if you enjoy art and architecture.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 James M. 2 years ago on Google
    The Barbican Centre is great. Saw 'Anything Goes' at the theatre. The venue is super, the cast performance was lacking some real finesse apart from Robert Lindsay's Moonface Martin. Try Côte across the road for pre- theatre Prix Fixe dinner; it was excellent. Suggest pre booking a cab pick up as there was a distinct lack of on street cabs.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Joanna B. 2 months ago on Google New
    We went to watch my neighbor Totoro last night at the Barbican which was an amazing play!! The play was brilliant and the venue was also great, they had cloak rooms with numbers on it and they would give you a ticket with your number on it which I thought was quite good but only thing is though the queue was disorganised (that's the only thing I didn't like about it) But the venue itself and the play was brilliant! It was a really nice new year treat! I enjoyed the play and so did my family!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Adam S. 2 years ago on Google
    Really cool complex with incredible architecture and art gardens. You won’t feel like you’re in London.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Nev K. 11 months ago on Google
    Great place for a chill day. there are exhibitions, cinema, cafes, restaurants, bars plus lovely outdoors. With moody weather, it is a great place to spend a few hours, because it can be both in and outdoors.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Kev H. 5 months ago on Google
    The Barbican Estate, London.. Wow what a place... An Iconic place to visit in itself and well worth arriving early to have a good look around the impressive architecture that is on offer here. Seems like an interesting place to simply spend some time exploring. A break away from the rest of London which can become a little.. samey. The Barbican as a venue is just as impressive if not more so. The sheer number of performance spaces is incredible. I was in the Pit on the 2nd Lower Ground floor which is accessible via the Lifts or stairs from the main foyer. A small, intimate 150 person performance space with raked seating, the performance that I saw (Chagall) was amazing. Not an experience I will likely forget any time soon.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Hollie P. 2 years ago on Google
    Fantastic Sunday late afternoon visit to see the Noguchi exhibition, the building itself is also something worth going to see especially if you have an interest in Brutalist architecture. The staff for the Noguchi exhibition were in good spirits and were polite and very helpful. The exhibition was well curated across two floors, in a fantastic architectural setting. The exhibition also spilled into the greenhouse/conservatory room, spotted with Noguchi lighting in amongst the plants. Somewhere I'd visit again, easy to get too and has alot going on monthly.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Euan P. 2 years ago on Google
    Visited the conservatory. Lovely bit of greenery inside this concrete jungle. I wasn't really taken back by this visit, but I've ticked this off the list. Would I come here again? Only for an event. I wouldn't come just for the conservatory. Being here reminds me why people move out of London. + Lovely friendly helpful staff - Outside feels like a concrete jungle
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Yen B. 3 months ago on Google • 152 reviews New
    I can't believe it took me six years to finally visit the BARBICAN CENTRE! I missed out on six years of potentially amazing evenings, but I'm thrilled I finally made it. When we stepped into the Barbican, I was immediately captivated by the atmosphere, and the bar was absolutely stunning. We arrived a bit early before our show to explore and enjoy a drink. The ambiance was truly fantastic.

  • 5/5 Julian V. 4 months ago on Google • 33 reviews
    I saw a YouTube video of this place and decided to check it out on my trip to London. The architecture is so cool and the interior is even better! I could’ve spent all day at this place!! Can’t wait to go back to London and just hangout!

  • 4/5 Courtney R. 1 month ago on Google • 13 reviews New
    Went to watch Totoro here and I absolutely loved it! I’ve been a fan of totoro for years and seeing it on stage was truly magical. We had seats at the front on row F and it was amazing. It was really busy but that was expected. I loved the merch as well. Only downside that there wasn’t enough staff on the bar so the queue was horrendous and same with the toilets in terms of how many were available. But I suppose some things can’t be controlled. Overall would definitely come again - lots of food locations nearby and the staff were really friendly too.

  • 5/5 Roc Alayo i A. 5 years ago on Google
    Awesome place with awesome architecture

  • 5/5 Tracey-Anne E. 2 years ago on Google
    Blown away! I visited the garden conservatory and wow! Whoever thought of that idea, just wow! What was sad is a sign informed visitors that a number of people actually stole plants from there. Not nice. I also took a look outside where the patio was, backing on to the water feature. Has to be seen. Such a beautiful serene place. People sitting out having lunch, so calm and so inviting. An amazing experience all round.

  • 5/5 Toby S. 2 years ago on Google
    saw two wonderful concerts by Sparks at the Barbican and the first one especially i would put as one of my top 10 best gigs ive been to. the second was also fantastic but the atmosphere of the first was very special and part of it was the acoustics of the venue. the building is wonderful and i intend to come back here for future gigs if there are any

  • 2/5 Jim Le C. 2 years ago on Google
    Great show in the theatre tonight but SHOCKED, DISMAYED AND ANGRY that hardly anyone wearing masks, despite being asked to wear them when making an on line booking! If the theatres want good audiences they must insist masks are worn! Last night I was at the theatre in Windsor, they asked people to wear a mask and almost everyone complied! I felt very vulnerable at the Barbican tonight, I would not go there again until I was sure it was safe!

  • 5/5 Jenő B. 2 years ago on Google
    Like a time travel.... Nicely planned buildings , and the water flows.... Awww.... 👍

  • 5/5 stacey l. 2 years ago on Google
    Saw anything goes, front row, excellent view. Stalls appear to be staggered quite well, so should be a good view all round, can't comment for balconies.

  • 5/5 simon h. 2 years ago on Google
    An icon of architecture bursting with textures and form. Perfect place for entertainment and people watching.

  • 4/5 Jackie H. 3 years ago on Google
    Great to be back at the Barbican if a little more quiet than usual. Exhibitions always a high standard welcoming new talents. Social Distancing in place felt safe so definitely worth getting out and visiting.

  • 5/5 SelectedGenetics I. 5 years ago on Google
    Awesome in the evening, very quite & peaceful in the heart of the City

  • 5/5 Simon M. 5 years ago on Google
    Perfect place for plant lover

  • 5/5 Gold E. 4 months ago on Google
    I went to visit the barbican, it was a bit difficult to locate using the map and I couldn’t enter without booking ahead so I spent my time at the outer area, and it was really a beautiful site to behold, I recommend this place for a place to just relax and hang out… nice pics spots as well

  • 5/5 Maycon P. 1 year ago on Google
    Barbican is a great place for people who appreciate arts and other entertainment. It will always have something interesting going on, and you’ll always find something with free entrance as well. It’s definitely one of my favourites places to go in London. The architecture in the place it’s also super impressive and never fails to please with the aesthetic.

  • 3/5 Samuel M. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) High-end private urbanization closed to the public for the most part (Original) Urbanizacion privada de alto estanding cerrada al publico en su mayor parte

  • 5/5 Hugh B. 2 years ago on Google
    Anything Goes - great entertainment, Reno is so talented, how old is she now? Great to be back but I'm still not totally happy with so many people without any distancing or masking and seated close together but maybe that's just me. When there's a production which attracts the majority of wrinklies to a matinee the queue for female toilets is unacceptably long.

  • 4/5 mahmood k. 2 years ago on Google
    It was nice to see our grand daughter in the graduation ceremony 😊

  • 5/5 Chris G. 2 years ago on Google
    Interesting place to walk about.. only works as its central.. most other large concrete mass blocks don't work but its location means its full of wealthy people who have the money to maintain it. Must keep the sloping roof clean :)

  • 4/5 Nick M. 2 years ago on Google
    Loved the 60s architecture brilliant 👏 👌

  • 5/5 Delia B. 2 years ago on Google
    We went there for a show, which was amazing. We visited the Kitchen and the outside sitting area. Nothing to complain about it and the staff were very helpful when we approached them for directions.

  • 5/5 Franziska l. 11 months ago on Google
    We booked the Architecture Tour and had a very good time with our tour guide who is a residential himself and was therefore able to provide a lot of insights and showed us around the development. We saw a lot of corners we wouldn't have discovered otherwise. Can only recommend this tour if you're interested in modern architecture.

  • 5/5 Wendy L. 2 years ago on Google
    Wonder centre with regular exhibitions and shows. A large cafe with outdoor seating and restaurant upstairs.

  • 4/5 Suzanne I. 2 years ago on Google
    Despite many internal attempts to improve Wayfinding within the spread of theatre, performance and exhibition spaces it's still requires a lot of difficult transitions from first point entry at either ground level or raised atrium levels. If you're a sensitive soul that gets irritated by having to ascend / descend to access a venue then be advised to take a savvy travel companion who's been here before. Equipping yourself with information from their website, taking virtual tours of where exhibitions are sited within the complex also a good idea. We viewed the Noguchi sculptures. In many ways they are an extreme contrast to the vast expanse of the Barbican's brutalist exterior yet they also resonate with its stark minimalist no fuss appearance. Next time l visit l think l'd rather see a theatre performance. Past experience proved them better value for time spent.

  • 5/5 Madison K. 1 year ago on Google
    Great facilities and nice lobby. Really cool experience seeing a show that was being filmed and seeing Sutton Foster! Bar staff and ushers all super helpful. I was sat high up but still had a great view.


Call +44 20 7870 2500 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Payments
    • ✓️ Debit cards
    • ✓️ Credit cards
    • ✓️ NFC mobile payments
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible seating
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible entrance
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible restroom
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible parking lot

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