Reviews of Barbican Centre. (Other) in London (London).

Barbican Centre

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383 Comments

Other

Performing arts theater

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

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Description

Information of Barbican Centre, Other in London (London)

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Map

Open hours of Barbican Centre

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Reviews of Barbican Centre

C. B.

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.

H. P.

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.

S. T.

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.

Z. H.

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.

S. I.

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.

K. B.

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.

E. P.

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

J. M.

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.

V. I. M.

Great to be inside or outside with all water around it

A. T.

Amazing brutalist architecture, recommend going in the morning when there are less people.

D. B.

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.

O. N.

Great venue! Incredible concert from DakhaBrakha - artists from free Ukraine!

T. E.

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.

G. M.

The Barbican Centre is one of London's under rated treasures. It's modernist buildings and walk ways in the sky provide globally excellent facilities within walking distance of decent accommodation. I only wish I could afford to live in one of the flats.

A. S.

Really cool complex with incredible architecture and art gardens. You won’t feel like you’re in London.

C. G.

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 :)

World class venue hosting many events including classical music, cinema, art exhibitions and speakers (pre book tickets online). Inside there are various bars and in the day there is a cafe, which you can go to even if you do not have a ticket for an event. It is a maze and hard to get orientated sometimes. Mostly casual dress.

M. M.

Amazing and mainly successful monumental Central London area with housing, education, theatres, art galleries, library, catering, conference & exhibition centre, conservatory, waterscapes... It has a brutalist concrete theme and has great presence. It's also known as a maze! You can get lost in it's corners and corridors while searching for a theatre or coffee. An essential visit for anyone interested in the arts, theatre or architecture.

S. P.

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.

W. L.

Wonder centre with regular exhibitions and shows. A large cafe with outdoor seating and restaurant upstairs.

L. T. B.

This impressive fortress like building is worth visiting every 5 years or so.There is a school and flats 'within the fortress'😀separated from the Barbican Centre by a man made 'stream' 😃& bridge/walk way.It's very beautiful inside.There are 5/6multi-use Theatre Halls,cinema,a couple of restaurants and a bar.

s. h.

An icon of architecture bursting with textures and form. Perfect place for entertainment and people watching.

P. I. O.

Great Centre for graduation ceremony. Congratulations to my class of 2021 MSc Professional Accounting students.

G. J.

Excellent but geographically bewildering and aging arts complex. Very easy to get lost with it seems, several ground levels. However, it includes cinemas, concert hall with great seating and sightlines, library, theatre. Plus bars and restaurants. You can also sit or eat outside by the lake

J. C.

It was a mind blowing experience all around with the music, the lights and the choreography, Shantala Shivalingappa was amazing dancing and drawing on the same time. You have to see it no excuse. I loved it ♡

K. W.

A brilliant night at the Theatre...Anything Goes. Geography is famously confusing so keep your eyes open for signage...but the centre offers a myriad of dining options (if you book early enough). Don't leave it to the last minute. Find the way in a relaxed manner...and have a good time.

楊.

such a good place to stay for couple of hours too sad that the conservatory was that popular, just couldn't possibly get a ticket

D. A.

Where to start?! The staff are happy to help and the facilities are great. Plenty of places to eat/drink that appeals to everyone's taste. The main theatre itself is stunning but a little warning, the doors (surrounding the seats) close simultaneously, they can be pushed open during and after the play. The centre is a little confusing on a first visit but the staff are superb and there are plenty of services for a random visitor. The theatre, which we were visiting, looked small with no leg room but it was remarkably comfortable and the show was a delight. All in all a superb place to spend a day.

G. D.

Housed in the unique and powerful structure at the heart of the Barbican estate this is a World Class arts centre with a resident orchestra, visiting theatre companies and a gallery which hosts varied and exciting exhibitions. It even has a tropical house.

Great Noguchi exhibition! I deducted a star as the women’s toilets had no access to period products...I am sure I am not the only one that has found this inconvenient.

L. J.

Went here to see Anything Goes which was fantastic and the food in the cafe was nice but it is difficult to find where you need to go both for the theatre and the toilets. I went to the toilets twice and they didn't flush on both visits and very few of the automatic taps were working. This is something that needs addressing and sorting out as it was very crowded so it's a bit of a health hazard. The staff seemed friendly and helpful but it's all rather chaotic!

T. S.

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

An icon of Brutalist architecture, the Barbican is one of the UK's architectural treasures. Perfect acoustic in the main concert hall.

J. W.

Good concert hall, shame about the very limited number of toilets for ladies. A big venue like that should do better.

M. U. A. (.

what a great place to be! one of london most iconic buildings. wonderful architecture meets art and food. the center is offering a program for the whole family. enjoy concerts an exhibitions. or relax next to the pond away from any roads or traffic.

I. M.

Great venue. The ushers could help a little more, I had a friend who had someone sitting in her seat and they didn't help her.

K. C.

I visited here very recently, the last time I was here was as a school pupil, seeing a Shakespeare play. We visited the Barbican to see Julian Clary, following the launch of his book. The event was well organized and the ceter was very spacious. There was a bar there too and when I was coughing due to my asthma, a staff member brought me a glass of water. My experience here was very positive from buying the tickets online to the event itself. I would be glad to attend other events at the Barbican.

B. B.

A lovely place to visit. I'm usually not a fan of brutalist architecture but the Barbican centre and surrounding area just bleeds personality

I attended a tour at the Barbican Center and the tour guide was really knowledgeable about the architecture and history of the Barbican Estate. Wonderful brutalist architecture and the center itself has a nice conservatory and musical performances.

H. B.

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.

B. C.

Great venue, one of a kind. Backed up with super box office staff that really helped me out when I realised I'd booked the wrong day for a show. Above and beyond. Recommend the martini bar too.

a. m.

Show was fabulous. However given Barbican is one of London's newer venues the toilets were disgraceful. Have never seen such a long queue for the ladies loo in even the most antiquated west end theatre. Didn't see my wife for entire interval such was the queue.

M. T.

it is a great venue. But definitely is a bit "rough around the edges" and in need of some modernisation. Still, I like it.

A. H.

I would recommend the Barbican art gallery to visitors to London. It doesn’t attract the same level of the toon as the Tate but usually has an excellent themed exhibition on which will occupy the whole gallery. Two wards the end of 2019 the themed exhibition is the art that arose from clubs and cabarets - which includes the recreation of some classic club interiors. The photos are from this exhibition

P. W.

Took the architectural tour, highly recommended to understand more about the magnificent complex that is the Barbican. Would have preferred less politics from the guide.

N. M.

Loved the 60s architecture brilliant 👏 👌

P. K.

Confusing geography; v poor signage at/from/to Barbican tube station. The route recommended by staff is dismal, through a road tunnel. If you like Brutalism you might like the Barbican; if you don't, you'll probably hate it

D. C.

John Williams evening was amazing / very nostalgic!

H. R.

Absolutely the best destination in Central London. The terrace and walkways, conservatory and library mean plenty of lovely indoor and outdoor space to kill time with no pressure to spend money (an increasingly rare thing!) but if you’re feeling spendy the cocktail bar is excellent, good range of films at the cinema, iconic concert hall and usually some kind of decent free exhibition on in the ground floor as well as the massive paid exhibit spaces. All the paid-for stuff is unbelievably good value if you’re under 26 as well, I may not be so lucky but will have plenty of fond memories and at least I can still just go to the library. Only drawbacks are the conservatory now requires you to book a ticket online and it’s bafflingly hard to find toilets when the downstairs is closed off, but small criticisms in the grand scheme of literally being one of the most wonderful places on earth.

J. B.

Like a time travel.... Nicely planned buildings , and the water flows.... Awww.... 👍

Came to the Barbican via the Highwalk, which is an interesting way to get there, as it's above street level and takes you through the Barbican estate giving a bird's eye view of the gardens and pools. Can specifically for the Daria Martin exhibition, a thought provoking exhibit of one person's experience of WW2. The Barbican is cavernous, and as others have said can be difficult to navigate. Otherwise a great place for arts, eat and see stuff

Watched Anything Goes, great little theatre, back row (T) of the stalls, fantastic view of the stage. Would avoid the first 3 rows at the front as seem to be eye level with stage. Went for lunch at Broadgate Circle before hand, less than 10 minutes walk to theatre.

A. L.

Great multi purpose venue for slightly left field theatre/ dance and art (fashion exhibitions). The conservatory is also a mini oasis but the best bits I think is their shop and the amazing outdoor space which are especially great on a sunny day. It's an oasis in the city surrounded by a concrete jungle.

The Barbican is amazing! My first visit there and I was surprised by just how much there is to do. The Conservatory was lovely and even though many parts were closed off (due to Covid I’m assuming) I thought it was beautiful and really enjoyed it. The exhibitions I went to were also really enjoyable. I went to the Jean Dubuffet exhibition and it exceeded my expectations. The free exhibition on the ground floor was also enjoyable even though it was very small. There’s also a cinema and restaurants, although I didn’t go to those.

A. T.

Just a mad mad place for anyone interested in architecture. Join the free architecture tour, you won't regret it.

P. F.

Love this space! Great theatre, dance, music and art shows. And the building is awesome architecturally and has so many spaces to get lost in! Plus it has a lovely outside area. An oasis.

S. C.

Great venue. Very friendly staff who pointed me in the right direction. Amazing performance in a full auditorium. Will definitely go back

J. L.

Went to see Anything goes. Very good show. Was a bit worried it was a sell out audience. Most people wore masks. Seats comfortable. Don't forget to ask for a car park voucher if you have a disabled badge.

A. S.

A wonderful place to do your studies. They have lots of studying places in the library. Lots of books and study materials to refer. You might need a pair of headphones when there is a play downstairs. However this is a beautiful, big place to stay away from the business and dwell in books. They provide free WiFi and lots of cafeterias in most of the floors. Thanks.

G. H.

Anything Goes was great. The stage sets were huge and very impressive. Wonderful seats 2nd row and middle, could even sees the wrinkles on the illustrious cast faces like watching in 8k UHD. You forget just how many massive songs are in this musical. Navigation in and around the Barbican the usual challenge, and it has been so long since we visited due to covid. So a wonderful welcome back.

D. P.

Good venue and well organised but a slightly strange vision from the 70s as to what they thought the future would look like! Just one complaint, like every other theatre in the land, why can't they build enough ladies loos?

A. C.

I've long been a Barbican fan, first enticed by their brilliant Young Barbican discount, and then convinced by their stellar line-up of brilliant exhibitions and films (I'm primarily a filmgoer, and all 3 of their screens are fantastic). Recently, I had tickets to see a film at 5.40pm on a Saturday, but, very frustratingly, TfL decided to ruin my evening by delaying almost every service imaginable across the capital. Out of hope more than expectation, I sent an email to Barbican Box Office explaining the situation and asking if there was any way my tickets could be swapped to a later showing. They got back to me so quickly with a very kind ticket swap offer (a special shout out to Jane from the box office!) and completely saved my ruined evening. Barbican - the best arts centre in London!

A. G.

Barbican centre's brutal architecture is amazing, it's a very huge place. in the inside you can go to break, there are a lot of chill spots with seats and battery charge you can enjoy. the conservatory visits are allowed in the weekends

N. K.

incredible place! All staff were extremely helpful and friendly, very well organized and clean place + beautiful exhibitions! looking forward to coming back

J. V.

I spend a full day from 9am to 5pm at the Barbican center due to the "Women in Tech SEO" festival that took place on March 6th 2020. I enjoyed every minute of it and was very inspired by the speakers and the quality of the conference and service. We were very well taken care of. Thank you.

M. L.

A fine example of Brutalism in London that's not to be missed. Rough cut cement buildings with a wild urban feel. Brutalism may not be everyone's favourite but Barbican center is beautiful in its way. As a center it offers a great range of amenities from food and drink to theater, cinema and exhibitions. Clean and well organised on top of the interesting architecture. I personally visited the AI, and Human exhibition which was really interesting. A must pace to visit in London!

P. B. 7.

Architectural tour review, I’ve visited The Barbican many times but this tour was a great insight, taking us into normally inaccessible areas and with such a passionate and knowledgeable guide. If you are at all interested in brutalism then this is a must.

A. W.

So much to see must come here if you are in London

P. S.

A wonderful theatre venue. Very nice and helpful staff, and great legroom and view throughout the 4 tiers of seats.

One of my favourite places in London. Architecturally astounding, the Barbican Centre always has well curated and fascinating shows - recommend the current show Jean Debuffet. There is a cafe - it is quote expensive but the food is delicious, and it is so lovely to also sit outside on the terrace on a summer's day. Also, make sure you go and visit the conservatory. It is a beautiful inside space, and free to visit.

m. k.

It was nice to see our grand daughter in the graduation ceremony 😊

B. T.

Barbican Theatre was great for Anything Goes, but the lack of ladies toilets meant running down many flights of stairs to the basement level from our seats in the gallery. Not a 5* venue but a 5* show.

P. W.

Plenty of good stuff going on here now, but the Barbican still seems to be suffering the effects of Covid. All sorts of doors shut (it always was a labyrinth and poorly signposted), bars closed and, most annoyingly, the lovely Conservatory (now also with Noguchi lamps) apparently only is open Sundays and public holidays. ?????

J. W.

Easy access and fantastic to walk around. Great if you like architecture and plants

N. H. A.

The Centre hosts classical and contemporary music concerts, theatre performances, film screenings and art exhibitions. It also houses a library, three restaurants, and a conservatory.

J. S.

Excellent theatre and Anything Goes was special too. It was great to park the car, have dinner and see the show, all under the same roof and not get soaked in the pouring rain.

s. l.

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.

C. B.

What a great venue, we parked on site and charged the car during our stay free, had a very informative tour of the centre, ate a lovely meal in the Oster Itallian restaurant very friendly and cometatively priced the watch Anything Goes a great show, then back to Warwickshire. Many thanks to all at the Barbican for being so friendly and helpful. Highly recommended.

Z. L.

An interesting visual experience of brutalist architecture. Definitely recommend taking the architecture tour organised by the museum itself. The tour explains in detail the entire design philosophy of Barbican covering the history, architectural intricacies and layout choices made by Chamberlin Powell and Bon that designed the entire estate. I learnt a lot from the tour and i definitely have a better appreciation of Barbican.

V. D.

Great venue, all seats look to have a good view. Facilities are all in good condition and easy enough to navigate. Close to tube and train stations. Can easily go here for a few drinks or something to eat before a performance. Also has free exhibitions.

M. J.

Davóne Tines access booking. I emailed the Barbican to make arrangements to see this recital and they called me back within the hour. A nice lady with a beautiful voice kindly helped organise the booking and the parking too for which I was so grateful. Her name was Hannah and I'd like to thank her. She was a diamond.

C. H.

Great venue. Anything Goes great show. A must see.

M. J.

Superb, nay, definitive brutalist architecture, and a great concert venue. Some restaurants on-site, but many great ones within a 10-minute walk.

L. H.

Excellent venue within this very popular arts complex, specialising in original works and unusual versions of famous plays. Give yourself plenty of time to get to your seat, as the Barbican Centre is not easy to navigate.

k. m.

Recently saw a musical here. Great theatre and very comfortable seats. Staff was really friendly too.

D. L.

For the love of Basquiat. Enjoyed the exhibition picked up a book or two. Though of course the majority on offer are few quid cheaper on Amazon Cloakroom service not great , your bags will be put on the bare floor ( pretty disgusting).

D. W.

Watched a performance of "Anything Goes" starring Robert Carlisle, Felicity Kendall and Gary Willmott, however, the whole cast was amazing!! Full of energy and fun this show is well worth seeing 👍👍

F. A.

I can’t have enough of this place. I have been going there to watch many great performances for years. Shostakovich the 7th was one of the memorable ones.

A. R.

As always, a great place to visit. Concert hall has great acoustics. Staff are helpful.

S. S.

Gorgeous theatre and great acoustics. Good sized bars, lounge spaces and loos. Plus, I never thought I'd find a Brutalist style building that I liked, but this is stunning in a good way.

T. P.

Such a beautiful place

I have mixed feelings about the Barbican Centre as I am not a fan of Brutalist building; and although I consider it as a hash concrete development with oppressive architecture; this is combined with the second largest conservatory in London, one of the nicest water gardens in the U.K. and a centre of culture and arts; so in fact, it is probably the South Bank Centre of the East, but just not as nice, open and inviting.

R. B.

What a fascinating complex filled with ugly/beautiful brutalist architecture, a good restaurant and a phenomenal theater. We visited the Barbican complex to see a performance of Jesus Christ Superstar but ended up really enjoying exploring the building and grounds, eating In the lovely cafe and looking through the phenomenal gift shop. It’s really worth a visit if you have any interest in “extinct” architectural styles or if there is a west end show you would like to see there. The theater was perfect acoustically, insanely comfortable seats that are more like couches and plenty of legroom.

N. F.

When satiated of culture, the Martini bar at the Barbican makes a decent French martini.

K. N.

Good rake on the comfortable seats means you get a good view of the stage from wherever you sit.

S. A. S. A.

A truly wonderful piece of Brutalist architecture. Beautiful and calm courtyard with water features, excellent place to relax for a cup of coffee from the cafe. The architecture tour is a must if you're into architecture but not familiar with the circulation through the estate.

M. H.

The Barbican is fantastic for photos, a meal, or just to enjoy. It is amazing! I love it here.... Although granted it is a little hard to navigate, it is a beautiful piece of architecture and honestly a lovely place to live! Fit with the concert halls and other stuff the Barbican is amazing and I would completely recommend going there. It is however hard to navigate though. Still five stars cos this place is absolutely incredible. @anyone who didn’t enjoy it, why??? It is absolutely fantastic!

I. S.

Very good concert hall and theatre, designed so that no matter where you sit, you are never very far from the stage. The acoustics are the best in London, which is why England's leading orchestra, the LSO, is based here. It is a bit of a maze so sometimes it can be difficult to find your way round.

S. H.

One of London’s quirkier venues, a bizarre architectural project that realistically should not work but does, few places are quite like this. A mix of shows, theatre, exhibitions, cinema and quirky stores. Sit back and soak up this 60s architectural vibe, with its prominence of red tones, from lighting to floor. Sit inside and chill, or step outside and watch the water feature. Fancy something different pop into the garden area inside one of the building, see the plants and visit the terrapins. Great exhibition space, lovely teams of people, extraordinary exclusive film performances, especially of movies that have gone off the grid.

D. R.

Great venue for a concert or event. The architecture of the building is also unique and interesting. The cafe/restaurant is enjoyable on a warm day when you can sit out. The building is free to the public and you can use it to study etc. Not worth visiting as a tourist site on its own but if something is on here it will be a great opportunity to visit a historic building.

S. S.

Went to see Anything Goes which was a complete delight! Really enjoyed the Barbican with great facilities, and good views from the seats.

S. T.

One of my favorite places in London. I love the Barbican! such an interesting architecture and gardens.

K. P.

I had a great experience visiting the exhibition of Toyin Ojih Odutola. Very much recommend :)

F. T.

Anything goes amazing coffee and cake good to.. Go see Sutton Foster and Robert lindsey amazing dancing singing and funny. Felicity kendle still got puzzazzz...

L. B.

The Barbican centre is always worth a visit, I grew up nearby while they were building it, the building works went on for years, transforming a huge bomb site into a magnificent place for the arts and entertainment, I have never been a fan of it's brutish concrete build but I do find it impressive every time I visit, featuring theatres and cinemas and generally free art in the curve, there is a coffee shop in the foyer for a quick drink or the larger café on the patio overlooking the lake, upstairs is Searcy's brasserie if you want a meal,, the lake and it's fountains are worth sitting.by on a sunny day to have a quiet chat and watch the ducks when they are there, pass up through the silk street entrance and cross the road to the new cinemas and Cote restaurant, I have recently visited it for a reunion with my eldest sister who I had not seen in over thirty years, we had an amazing meal and caught up on the lost years, if you Go to the Barbican, don't forget to go up to the highwalks and follow the signs to the museum of London, a great place to visit and a stone's throw from Saint Paul's cathedral.

Y. O.

There is so much of what you can do at Barbican Centre that I keep visiting it very frequently. A theater, open garden, art exhibitions, cafes, outdoor sitting, library, and a huge open space. For digital nomads, two nice spots: - the open space. Dark but really huge, with desks, sofas, and chairs where you can sit and work from your laptop - and Barbican kitchen. Bright and with big windows. Lots of tables, and laptop-friendly. Free Wi-Fi almost in the whole building. Perfect place for remote work, studying, or informal catch ups with friends. On warm and sunny days, it’s also enjoyable to work from the outdoor area ;)

a. e.

Well organized , whoever works there all polite , ambiance was perfect , sound quality and visual effects was almost perfect , would definitely go there again

C. S.

Lovely place to sit in the sun & quiet place in the city

P. R.

One of my absolute most favourite places in London. I used to walk through here every week and, on a recent return visit, made sure to go here every day. I first went here when I was around 7-9 years old and immediately fell in love with the stunning brutalist architecture. I've seen a fair bit of the world since then, but nowhere else has ever inspired the same feelings in me as the Barbican. I dream of living here, but I doubt it will ever happen.

L. A.

Absolutely amazing venue! Saw a few interesting takes on Shakespeare here last year and quite enjoyed the performance. Considering the fairly unassuming appearance from the street, I was stunned by how massive and architecturally intriguing the inside turned out to be. Got a little lost trying to find my way to the performance, to be honest, but the staff were quick to assist me. I hope I can explore this structure a bit more in the future and look forward to seeing what else this venue has to offer once everything starts up again.

H. X.

Amazing! I got to see Sir Simon Rattle here. It was one of the best concerts I have been to.

A. G.

Decent sized seats and comfortable(stalls). Good atmosphere, great show(Anything Goes). I prefer a more central location but can't fault the experience.

A. M.

Anything goes was the most amazing show! No seat in the house left...

Z. M.

Beautiful place to visit. Some really interesting architecture and lots of nice hidden areas to explore. The centre is a great place for events. Very easy to get from Barbican tube station. The waterways are really nice for walking around in.

I loved this place, many different spaces for different purposes. Only sometimes when busy some areas are left dirty. Did you know sometimes there are stage plays available at affordable prices. The staff were efficient.

L. M.

Fabulous show got lost on the way out and probably wandered the 40 acres of the grade 2 listed Estate. Queues for the upper circle toilets were long no time for mid show drinks apart from that brilliant venue

J. x.

Lovely area in the city to sit and relax

T. C. P.

Amazing venue. Love the lake in the evenings. If you're aged 16-25, sign up to their young person's scheme for discounted tickets.

M. F.

Saw the last night of Shakespeare's Comedy of Errors, great show, amazing venue.

C. S.

I love the coffee and the library and always come back for more exhibitions

K. D.

Excellent place to spend weekend with your loved one, lots of activities going on Theatre, cinema, exhibitions, as well as free activities. This weekend we watched the party there it was brilliant. Also you have chance to get good food.

M. Z.

One of my most favorite places in London. A leading cultural venue within the City, the Barbican Centre sits within the spectacular post-war Barbican Estate, and is host to dozens of cultural events a year. A must-see.

G. C.

Barbican centre is not a usual art centre. Surrounded by 2,000 flats build in the brutalism's architectural wave and having a small lake just in from with fountains & birds, is a destination either for your evening after your tiring work time, or for a whole day out in the weekend. Regularly changing excibitions (free or ticketed) are hosted here, multiplex cinema with popular movies, and of course a brilliantly designed huge theatre hosting mostly european small theater companies that have something though provoking to say. There is restaurant and bar also here, with reasonable prices and great selection of neebles and food. Free wifi all over the building thus quite busy in the weekend with college guys and girls studying here. An art hub that has proved all these years that London's art scene is not limited just to West End or Southbank.

S. B.

Great, unique venue, as always. Highly recommend Anything Goes at the theatre.

C. F. D.

Great place to be, really beautiful and inspiring. Lots of art, a striking architectural style, food and amenities. Theres a gift shop as well which is really nice. Great way to spend a day.

C. M.

Really great place to hangout, do some work or have some food. Nice outdoors space, beautiful conservatory and always good exhibitions. The cinema is a must for anyone living in London! Nice small screening rooms, both mainstream and small films and incredible deals specially for students!

T. W.

Have loved the Barbican since the 80's, an amazing centre for the arts. Even after years of visiting this space it still feels as fresh and exciting as the first time. World class auditoria and stunning performance, ine of London's finest contemporary structures that's freely open to the public.

C. G.

This is an amazing venue for London, it’s a place filled with world class activities, places to work, eat and meet. It’s somehow like a maze absolutely worth exploring

A. C.

As local estate agents we spend a lot of time in the Barbican Centre and we're big fans of brutalist architecture. Highly recommend visiting.

H. R.

Really liked the to experience, good food with very human waiters and waitresses.The show was faultless and I had a memorable experience, better than I expected !!

K. P.

The theatre was brilliant but the barbican centre is not especially the toilets which are run down and disgusting.

Good concert hall. First time I went there to watch Aynur's concert. :)

V. V.

Good place to eat and drink! Normal prices and good service!

S. R.

Fantastic concert based on folk music, enjoyed by all the family.

林.

Lovely place with stunning view and art of architectures both inside and outside.

i. b.

I have a weird fascination for concrete buildings. I love “brutalist London” and the barbican is really the star of the show. If you have a chance, do their architecture walk. Did you know that every single concrete block in the entire barbican is hand chiseled after they put them up. Even the high towers?!

Good and nice location. Difficult to walk around if you want to go out from the parking. Ask the receptionist

M. R.

Amazing performance. Singing absolutely wonderful, especially Rachel Redmond as Eve. Beautiful.

S. J.

Wonderful show , Anything goes . Great parking .Terrible queues for the ladies loo

I. R.

Very interesting visit. Art, theatre and a quite and cosy place to relax, study or read a book enjoying a coffee. Conservatory garden is a must to see.

U. S.

I am unable to emphasise how much I love the Barbican, it’s got such beauty within its brutalist architecture and it’s an overall breathtaking experience

R. M.

This vast concrete building certainly hasn't improved with age, it is still a place that's easy to get lost in, plus the food and drink is expensive.

L. P.

The Barbican, in its totality, is one of those rare successes of modern times. The architecture, location, being a platform for a diverse range of arts and events, its outreach and educational programmes, the food—just everything about it works.

L. A.

Always wonderful to be at the Barbican centre, great unique artists, beautiful atmosphere.

S. L.

Amazing food and drinks and wonderful entertainment soacious and delightful

All side-panel doors close simultaneously and automatically. That's the first time I've seen anything like it. Perfect way to start a show.

D. L.

Top notch performances, beautiful venue with wooden interior and great acoustics. Trailing plants and water features around the grounds are also beautiful.

N. C.

Really worth a visit and architectural tour around complex

C. T.

If you're a fan of brutalist architecture then this is your place. There's also a load of things to see and do here even without any events on. Great to grab a coffee.

V. K.

Went to the Jean Dubuffet: Brutal Beauty art exhibition plus lunch before. Barbican Centre was very well organised and Covid safe. Good signposting and v helpful staff. Exhibition was good as well.

R. R.

Exhilarating first post lockdown concert by the LSO.

T. K.

One of the best theatres around in London. Make sure you arrive early as there is always other things worth exploring going on in the Barbican centre. The actual theatre layout is incredible and unlike your usual London theatres. The seating is plush and comfortable, it feels more like a luxury cinema viewing.

A. K. O.

Absolutely great buildings, movies, theatre, exhibitions all to do over there. Really worth a visit.

It's always pleasant to visit this marvellous place. It's such a contrast to its city surroundings outside.

P. B.

Basquiat show looks amazing, the grey walls make the colours work to great effect... Excellent catalogue also. Worth checking out the Banksy outside the Gallery on Golden Lane EC2, Jean Michael would have thought that very funny and straight to the point.

C. C.

Went on a guided tour. Really interesting stuff. Did you know Cripplegate Church is in the middle of the Barbican, where Oliver Cromwell was married, and Daniel Defoe is buried?

P. M.

Super cool Brutalist concrete utopia. This was the future once.

C. B.

Visited the Conservatory at the Barbican. Free entry whìch was great. But not as exciting as I had expected. However we did enjoy the various plant life there. I thought it needed a good tidy up, and maybe some soft background music or jungle/rainforest noises would add authenticity.

L. S.

Friendly staff. Clean venue. Nice place to watch films

a. g.

Well designed theatre with comfortable seating. Could do with more toilets a4ound the venue.

C. W.

Absolutely wonderful show (Anything Goes) but I found the building hideous on the outside, gloomy and oppressive on the inside.

C. A.

Lovely theatre, I went to see Jesus Christ Superstar and it was a brilliant production.

M. S.

Excellent venue, we saw a show in the right theatre and even from the gallery the view was good, decent food and drink available

F. G.

great exhibition. Nice place to spend a weekend.

M. I.

Excellent venue for your special occassion. Parking is the best.

M. K.

I absolutely adore the Barbican centre, especially its library and outside area. One must visit. Lovely staff.

J. T.

I love this place with its brutalist architecture. The cafés, cinema and theatre are top notch too.

c. m.

Iconic late 60s design and built after some controversy, this massive development is a must for any urban designer or planner.

G. A.

Great night at theatre, seats comfy with loads of leg room and spacious public areas

D. S.

Anything Goes is an excellent show, with brilliant performances from the cast.

e. l.

I enjoyed the visit to this big place, easy to get lost round there too, good experience and nice comfy seats.

S. A. S. A.

C. B.

B. H.

Love the vibe of this place, a place of peace in the city. Glorious to sit by the water in tranquility here. Free exhibition and cafe. Would recommend.

H. P.

Went to see Cillian Murphy (Tommy Shelley in Peaky Blinders) in Grief is the Thing with feathers. The theatre is very different to anywhere I’ve been before, very particularly styled. It was well organised with comfy seats, good sound and a subtitles machine which made the performance easy to follow if you missed anything that was said. Only negative was the price of a G&T but then you expect to pay top whack in London.

c. m.

Iconic late 60s design and built after some controversy, this massive development is a must for any urban designer or planner.

L. M.

I. S.

F. T.

Anything goes amazing coffee and cake good to.. Go see Sutton Foster and Robert lindsey amazing dancing singing and funny. Felicity kendle still got puzzazzz...

m. b.

Great for Awards Ceremony on Graduation!

M. P.

Theatre is fantastic. The only issue is getting there from the tube. It's badly signalled and I got lost in the Barbican centre looking for it

S. E. J.

Awesome architecture, but hell to get around if you don't know your way.

R. S. J.

Great exhibitions and interesting architecture and glass house (open sundays)

P. V.

Great as ever. Anything Goes in the theatre was very well done.

B. P.

watched only the kit, a brilliant show right out of lockdown. social distancing was done well with proper venue capacity and most people wearing maskd during the show.

T. N.

Excellent one atop place for activities, theatre, films, reading and music!

S. A.

Getting here by foot is very awkward, with no clear signage and having to pass dangerous busy roads.

M. T.

Such a hub for culture in London, the hall is a great space and there are so many amazing things to see and do here. Would recommend

K. A.

Amazing show... Lovely venue.

G. T.

It was good . Very interesting.went to theatre brilliant show. Anything goes.Coffee was good too. A lovely afternoon.

C. M. B.

Well worth a visit - do not miss their RSC Shakespeares.

V. K.

Went to the Jean Dubuffet: Brutal Beauty art exhibition plus lunch before. Barbican Centre was very well organised and Covid safe. Good signposting and v helpful staff. Exhibition was good as well.

M. T.

Such a hub for culture in London, the hall is a great space and there are so many amazing things to see and do here. Would recommend

A. K. O.

Absolutely great buildings, movies, theatre, exhibitions all to do over there. Really worth a visit.

A. M.

A very cool place !

M. Z.

One of my most favorite places in London. A leading cultural venue within the City, the Barbican Centre sits within the …

S. H.

P. d. G.

After a pandemic enforced absence of over 18mths it was very Barbicany. Which is exactly what I was after.

C. B.

M. M.

Beautiful and quiet during lockdown

H. I.

It's an amazing place to be and also good for seminars and conferences.

N. V.

One of my favourite places in London. I really like their contemporary art events. Would recommend it.

S. D.

A lot of events with high varieties. Always have some free exhibition going along side with the paid/ticketed one. The library is nice and there is a very unique music library. The food and drinks are on the expensive side. They charge about double on everything compare to a local pub. It may worth to eat before coming to the concert/event.

C. M.

I don’t know anyone who doesn’t love the Barbican, the sound quality in the auditorium is amazing and it doesn’t matter where you sit you always feel so close to the artist.

O. I.

Great place for multi cultural programmes.

A. S.

K. P.

What a day!! Good Theatre, good Drinks and an all round good laugh

Z. M. (. p. i. c.

Very good. First time but we'll organised....

a. m. I.

Great place to be, really beautiful and inspiring. Lots of art, a striking architectural style, food and amenities. Theres a gift shop as well which is really nice. Great way to spend a day.

E. E.

Best place in London to enjoy classical music. The LSO conducted by Sir Simon Rattle never disappoint. Also the cinemas at the Barbican are great, comfortable seating and usually a good selection of films on offer. Would definitely recommend a visit :)

J. H.

Superb theatre, love it every time I go

B. H.

Love the vibe of this place, a place of peace in the city. Glorious to sit by the water in tranquility here. Free exhibition and cafe. Would recommend.

J. L.

The picture kind of sets the tone of the venue. However, the exhibition and cinema programmes are often exceptional. It’s weird, as gross as it can be at times, this has to be one of my favourite places in London. The staff are always lovely which just tops the experience. Also the fact there’s around 120 exits is just crazy. Go for a visit, it’s weird, edgy, thriving and listed all at the same time.

M. G.

Barbican has one of the most varied offering in London with plenty of things to do for all tastes. Great concert, theatre and cinema spaces as well as some wonderful art exhibitions. The bars and cafes have a lot of choice and the building itself is worth seeing.

M. N.

Great multi- venue I've seen very interesting exhibitions there. Also there are films shown I watched 'Loving Vincent' a movie made out of animated 5000 manually painted oil paintings. Amazing movie. Great place and all sorts of areas. Stimulates Your mind.

G. H.

I visited the Barbican theatre to see Taming of the Shrew, however the gender roles were reversed. This made me view the play completely differently, and question certain morality aspects. The theatre complex was very large and the atmosphere was very good, full of anticipation and excitement. During the interval, there was a bar, separate to that was a stand selling water and a variety of gourmet ice creams. These were quite pricey (£4.20), but its London. There was just enough time to go to the toilet also.

K. C.

Brutalist architecture, verdant verandas and top class art. There is nothing quite like it anywhere in Britain.

V. I.

One of the must visit locations in town ! Lots of events and exhibitions related to arts and music. There are many different areas and levels of interest. Lots of dining choices with high quality food at reasonable prices too. Its a beautiful building with admired design and architecture! Highly recommended.

As strange as it sounds, this is probably one of my favourite places to go in London. It's architecturally impressive, and I've gotten lost on the many paths in and out of the centre. I come here a lot during my lunch breaks and either eat next to the fountains, or sit inside with a book if it's chilly out. It's a very welcoming place and the staff are always friendly. It also has a great cinema, regularly hosts interesting exhibitions, has a fair-sized library, and is an all round nice place to visit.

A. D.

Watched a jazz concert here lovely place and venue.

K. R.

Amazing brutalist venue with a great range of spaces. The building is beautiful to wander through, the toilets are amazing too. I would definitely recommend a visit, even if not to see a show or a performance. The gallery always has interesting and thought provoking exhibitions too.

I. J.

Great Centre! They have a lot of different events. Great cinema rooms with lots of space for your legs. Staff is friendly.

p. m.

Fantastic show, nice and clean safe place

C. C.

Love the buildings, walkways and theatre . So inspiring . Tours also very good both Free ones and architecture tours. Worth finding out the history of this very special estate, unique in Europe. So much to see and do here

E. B.

Came for the the "Into The Unknown" exhibition. Really good exhibition. Rest of the centre is good too. Good food in the cafe and a decent cup of coffee.

S. F.

Main hall. Great site lines from all angles and seats.

M. R.

The Barbican Centre has an excellent concert hall and theatre. The public areas are spacious with plenty of seating. When sunny the outside terrace with fountains is particularly good. The main restrooms are in the second basement. There are restaurants and galleries dotted around the building. The only problem is its position in the middle of the City and can be hard to find on foot. Worth visiting.

D. H.

Excellent venue, excellent exhibition on feminest architecture (Matix), excellent staff. When ordering food and a beverage from the kitchen i found the QR confusing, it was really naff

G. M.

Beautiful view, quiet spot for drinks or coffee. Highly recommend.

S. A.

The Barbican center is a must if you like brutalist architecture. You can see it for free and without tickets but if you want to see an exhibit of art or plants you'll need to book a ticket online. Some are free. Some aren't! A+ cinema experience even during lockdown

N. B.

Adore this place. Great exhibitions, unusual events (music, talks etc), decent glass of vino. Even when it's packed - it's bearable due to the interior. Love a place that isn't noisy and overstimulating. Staff are super helpful for whatever you need and you don't have to wait a ton in queue. Recommend the book store on level -1, it's a nice little browse! And the conservatory! It's a little difficult for way-finding and parking is pricey so keep that in mind! Great work all round though.

a. o.

Lots of interesting outside spaces and water features. Much cleaner and better sign posting than in the past. Enjoyable

T. M.

There couldn’t be any place better for a quality family time Saturday afternoon

L. M.

Very big place, very easy to get lost round there, comfy seats though

S. L.

Into The Unknown exhibition was excellent. Good to see sci fi presented as an intelligent genre. Not to mention Ralph Mcquarrie artwork.

F. S.

We saw Anything Goes here on 25 Sep. Full House. All I can say is FANTASTIC!

D. Š.

Possibly my most favourite place in London. Love the atmosphere when going for a gig or just hanging around to do some remote work. When you book a concert make sure you get in early, get a quick buffet dinner in the canteen an then just sit in the lobby and wait for the show or go and browse the arts shop.

I. L.

Phenomenal place for Shakespeare. Excellent seats in the middle of the orchestra level were extremely affordable for me and a friend, even as students. The Merry Wives of Windsor was both the funniest and strangest play I've ever seen. The building itself is interesting too.

J. O.

This centre is very large and very interesting. There are two large bars downstairs and different staircases to go to the different seat locations. I went to see Jesus Christ Superstar and I thought it was a very good play. It was a musical from start to finish. My seat was A3 in the upper circle, and I was able to see the stage clearly.

S. H.

Barbican Cinema was one of my highlights visiting London. Extremely clean, cozy & a beautiful cafe with the most delicious hot chocolate, and helpful staff. The movie screens aren't as big and you won't be engulfed in sound but everything else makes this place a wonderful movie experience. Anyway, the type of films they play here don't necessarily need a booming surround sound system and an epic sized screen. There wasn't a bad seat in the house. Comfortable seating - personally I loved sitting near the back. To top it off, £6 tickets on Mondays. Book in advance to reserve your seat! I got my ticket 45 min before the show, but it was close to selling out. For film lovers, this is certainly a place for you.

R. K.

London Jazz Festival, it was very nice tonight.

c. b.

A great venue Reasonable prices.

M. S. Z.

Fantastic gig spot. Nice and well organised

C. A.

Experience London's one of the coolest architectural pieces! Experience the Brutal! Always free, nice exhibitions, installations, talks or events on the ground floor. You can also hire venues at Barbican. There are a cinema, art galleries, shops, and bars. Both art-house and blockbuster movies can be seen. Free study areas. Free, fast wifi connection. Nice restaurant. Great courtyard inside the complex. A coffee shop at the foyer/lounge. There are always cool, original designed objects & art and architecture books sold at the gift shop. Calm atmosphere.

N. W.

I'm a big fan of Brutalist architecture and the Barbican is a fine example of how space can be utilised for the good of the people over profit for land owners. The theatre itself has gorgeous wood panelling all around and the seating layout is beautifully done to provide a good vantage point anywhere. The acoustics are great and seating comfortable.

B. A.

Great modern arts center. Regardless of the current exhibit, a fun cultural stop. Beautiful facilities.

T. J.

One of the TOP pieces of architecture in London #brutalitlondon

A. T.

Went to see Anything Goes. Signage not the best but amazing show in a great venue

L. F.

As an architect, the Barbican is one of the best places in London. The brutalisy style combined with the mixed used spaces are fennomennous. A truly architecture experience.

R. J.

Best acoustic I've ever experienced in a concert hall. Played here many years ago and enjoy the venue every time I return to listen to a concert. Roll on the next one!

D. H.

A maze. Many levels. Limited toilets for gig goers and they are poorly signed. Food in the canteen was lovely and on the pricey side. Seats in the theatre comfy compared to lots. As we left with hundreds of others there were two comfy seats right in the way, people trying to avoid clambering in to them. They should be moved aside when the gig finishes!!

M. S. W.

A great place to visit for concerts and films. The cafe and bar is also excellent. There’s always something interesting going on in the Barbican Centre. The building itself is impressive and exhibitions are always interesting and seem to be particularly strong in terms of design and architecture.

PROS: - Good restaurants and cafés. Bonfire is a quality hamburger restaurant with solid staff, and the café below (the one with self-service buffet options, I can't remember the name) is also worthwhile, even for their iced coffees alone. - Lovely museum displays and galleries. - Theatre, most recently saw "Jesus Christ Superstar" and was worth it. The cinema also looks cool and there are gigs as well. - Cute gift shop with a wide variety of items on sale. - Staff for the most part helpful. CONS: - The place is a maze. Getting out was incredibly difficult. I get that it's a brutalist, Grade II building but exits and signs are not clear at all, unless you are familiar with the place. - More benches and seating areas outside would be nice. - Cumbersome to collect theatre tickets, misleading information on where to collect them. The main desk said to go elsewhere, only for it not being the case. More communication from staff in this respect would be ideal in the future. - Toilets could be improved. No paper towels, not all dispensers had soap and not all hand dryers worked.

s. m.

Long queues for the toilets after a fantastic show ' ANYTHING GOES '. What a show, well recommended 👌

R. E.

Great experience, first time in the theatre.

D. F.

This has many different things you could try and do things. I’ve been a regular of the city library since I was a kid and it’s exceptionally good. It also is home to some great independent gigs (classical or indie or jazz you name it) and a good cinema. It also is home to some fascinating exhibits as well as a greenhouse space.

S. A.

The theatre, gallery and concert hall are all good, despite the hall being quite unsuitable for music. Good contemporary and classical concerts. I like the strangely isolating and eerie. feeling of wandering around the Barbican complex. The foyers and public spaces are a bit of a disaster and feel like a cross between a community centre and an airport, people camped out, screaming down phones, having picnics, sleeping in the corners, taking classes etc. So there is nowhere to really sit and relax pre-entertainment and it's all a bit grim.

A. L.

Wonderful theatre and the Anything Goes production was Wonderful

A true class act, absolutely fantastic concert hall designed in a strong concrete brutalist aesthetic. The venue is beautiful inside, and goes across 3 floors with plenty of toilets and shops/cafés to grab a bite or drink from. The staff are very friendly and helpful, unlike most concert hall staff, and the toilets (though busy) easily handle the capacity. Gorgeous place for real live orchestral music.

C. H.

Very huge entertainment centre which offers concerts, events, theatre production. The building is remarkably "modern" and probably not the best in London but there are some nice outdoor cafes with water features and I have seen there a few very interesting performances.

R. R.

Ominous brutalist architecture, while still feeling organic due to the plants and the water, exactly how I like it. There's also a strong sense of community surrounding this place, and the activities are very diverse. Mazelike, can get lost for hours, in a good way. Make sure you visit the conservatory too.

W. L.

I came here for a 3D movie. The service was fast and the seats in movie theater was comfortable enough. I like that we can bring our own snacks but I usually buy at the reasonably priced concession. Only issue is the 3D glasses which are too small. But love the ticket prices on Monday!

C. W.

Ideal concert venue, great acoustics, good visibility and comfortable seats. Foyers outside a bit crowded but they've added more bench seating. Few bars at the venue but plenty of good pubs/ restaurants in Spitalfields nearby, 5 minutes away.

J. S.

An excellent evening at the Barbican listening to St Etienne with orchestra. My seat was comfy with plenty of legroom in the circle section of the auditorium, and had a good view of the stage and the screen. The staff were very helpful with directions to my seat.

D. R.

Brilliant.. Loved it all.. Going again ASAP.. so much to do...

S. L.

There is a bunch of things to do here, whether you want to go for a casual drink, get a bite to eat, see an exhibition or go to the cinema. The cinema is lovely and good value for central London.

P. d. G.

After a pandemic enforced absence of over 18mths it was very Barbicany. Which is exactly what I was after.

C. C.

Brilliant arts and culture venue that has something for everyone. Was here for a performance at the Hall and very pleased with the experience - staff was friendly and complimentary coat check was available. Free wifi is also available with a few refreshment areas in various parts of the venue, so this would be a good alternative to coffee shops for those looking to study/read.

I. M.

Wonderful theatre, the special effects were stupendous and produced a lasting effect on the audience and I, the acting was smart and articulate and showed a supreme version of the play Macbeth. Sincerely recommend.

T. K.

First time I had visited the concert hall. The acoustics and view was top notch. The seats were a little small though but OK for a two hour concert. The interior of the centre itself was well laid out with clear directions and lots of space even when busy.

T. Y.

Came here just for the Botanical garden/conservatory and it was absolutely lovely! It's only open to the public at certain times so make sure you look this up online but it's definitely a nice scene of greenery with a pond of koi fish. There's also a really nice seating area that you can have afternoon tea at but you need to book it online in advance.

D. N.

Visited theatre. Good seat in stalls, but disappointed to be charged full price when walking up to half full auditorium. Theatre was fine but usual problems with dirty toilets, poor signage and loads of stairs everywhere. Needs a Refurb.

H. W. (.

Barbican cinema is such a hidden gem. Firstly the Barbican in general is a really interesting place architecturally and they always have interesting exhibitions. There is a cafe restaurant and a bar so you can enjoy a drink before the film, like going to the theatre. But the cinema itself is fantastic - really steep slope so you don't have to worry about someone tall being in front of you, and the seats are really comfy. Some of the screens are fairly small but that's nice too, cosy. The best part I half don't want to advertise, but they have £6 tickets on Mondays. Such a bargain. Shh don't tell anyone!

A. Z.

It's a wonderful concept but it lacks a bit. The conservatory is only open on select Sundays and Public Holidays, which makes it so busy with people and the plants aren't exotic or too interesting to warrant battling the crowds. If you go perhaps when it first opens in the day, it may be a different vibe

T. A. A.

Puts on some very good, interesting and innovative productions but I agree with the excellent "Theatre Monkey" website that it's weirdly difficult to find the perfect seat in the main Theatre. The balcony seats feel far from the stage, with the view affected by a safety bar. The central seats in the stalls are accessed right from the end of the row (not good for claustrophobics). And the end of row seats in the stalls give a restricted, sideways view of the stage. The seats themselves are like super-plush benches, which my companion found very comfortable but not all do. There are many opportunities for eating and drinking in the Barbican. But the whole venue feels vast and pretty impersonal. What is definitely lovely is sitting outside in good weather on the lakeside terrace near the ponds - very restful, with a nearby cafe for a cup of tea, and a good place to arrange to meet.

L. A.

Chilly and grey in every sense... I have always rather disliked this centre, too big, too grey, too depressing, particularly ugly exterior in winter, too spread out, facilities without much logic, or rational signage, so I generally avoid it unless it is music or theatre events, that are unfortunately only performed here. On this last occasion for a Russian theatre event, I attended two theatre performances, one evening, one matinee, in one week, so i reflected what is it that irritates me about this place so much. It is complete lack of cosiness factor (a la National Theatre that sports similarly unattractive architecture and yet manages to make one feel welcome) and the warmth (or absence thereof) of service. Things are a mess, not properly signposted, so even for someone who has been here at least a dozen times, it can be confusing where the event is being held, so I very much feel for first time visitors. The only truly friendly people in the whole complex are the cloakroom people on the lower ground Theatre level. The facilities and the refreshment options including bars elsewhere in the complex leave a lot to be desired. I go here, but never out of love.

Big fan of the Barbican. Under 25’s can get £5 tickets to shows if you sign up online!! I’d never seen any theatre or dance shows before this £5 deal so its v accessible and means everyone can see theatre not just those who can afford it! Beautiful building!! The bars are very expensive so I usually pop to the Tesco next to the station before hand.

D. T.

Beautiful place with a great community feel. Had some beautiful concerts in the hall, which has a really god acoustics. Before a concert, there's plenty to relax or have a small bite. And the free WiFi gives you the connectivity you need.

N. G.

One of my favourite museums in London. I love the place itself and the gorgeous square outside with its ornamental lakes and the vegetation. It seems like a hidden paradise as it is not that simple to find our way to get to the Barbican Centre from the Undergound station ;-) The exhibitions are very innovative as well. Very relaxing spot !

A. I.

Beautiful building and interesting interior design with extremely helpful staff. The ONLY problem was poor control of late arriving people to performance.. Maybe because they were too many but nevertheless there should not be people coming and going in front of you when artists are performing

T. R.

A very nice, large theatre. Staff were very helpful and friendly. The theatre itself was very comfortable. Some fantastic shows on here. Sadly, the queue for the bar stretched for miles, and prices were rather high. Great theatre, but might be worth grabbing snacks at a local shop on the way.

D. L.

Amazing place, well worth a visit saw Jesuc Christ Superstar, amazing!! The complex has so much going on.. Fantastic x

H. M.

One of my favourite places in London. The outside courtyard on the pond is fabulous when the weather is nice, I take a packed lunch to sit on the many free tables and enjoy the people watching. Inside, the brutalist building intrigues with amazing architectural features that are at once cool AND cosy. The amphitheatre/concert hall is fab for gigs (super comfy seats and unobstructed views, great acoustics) and the art gallery is also cool, the gallery itself is a strange layout of smaller rooms off a large space, but this creates an interesting dialogue between curator, subject and audience that you don't get in more conventional gallery spaces.

R. S.

Great space and always featuring interesting exhibitions. I can personally admit to having spent a lot of money in the gift shop as well. The architecture devides many yet it should be marvelled for its idea; placing a multi-purpose arts venue within a housing estate, if I could love on any housing estate it would be this one.

As the crow flies, the Barbican is just a few feet wide, but if you fancy a visit and you can’t fly like that crow, you’d better bring sandwiches. You’re going to be here for a very long time, navigating a complex three dimensional network of concrete channels. Some end at a locked door, a wall, or a pond, and others end with a sheer drop onto more concrete far below. And don’t be tempted to jump. You’ll still be lost, but lost with a limp. Most routes through the Barbican double back on themselves and somehow leave you further away from where you want to be, than you were when you woke up that morning. You’ll notice adverts for the theatre, art gallery, and rooftop garden, which explains why you’ll see plenty of people around, often middle aged or older, and generally with an air of culture about them. Maybe they actually know where that theatre is, or maybe they were tempted in when young, and have been wandering around ever since. But nevertheless, worth a visit. You’ll experience life in a 1970s communist dictatorship, and you won’t be needing a visa.

H. F.

Love visiting the Barbican, whether it's a lovely sunny day or a rainy one, you can always find something to do and most importantly - enjoy. I love going to concerts and catching a film here. The library is extensive and you can always grab a coffee or a snack to take some time off. The architecture is impressive and every visit here is a more than a pleasant experience.

J. B.

If you want to fully enjoy just come here. The boys are very polite!

Nice venue, helpful staff. If you want to eat and drink though I’d go to a cafe or even a Pret! Honestly £10 for can of Coke a small bacon roll and little bag of popcorn.

S. B.

Wonderful place, never ceases to amaze me. Saw inside one of the towers for the first time and the architectural detail is gobsmacking!

P. C. R. N.

Centre for cinemas, theatre with restaurant, bar, Barbican kitchen, lake view terrace, music art gallery.

A. S.

So many facilities and things to do, so you can't possibly get bored. I was so excited to visit the Constructing Worlds exhibition. It was a great experience for me and I would like to enjoy this beautiful building again.

R. B.

Home to a wonderful theatre, cinema, café. Great courtyard to sit in at any time of year, especially when the fountains run. A very peaceful place to escape the hustle and bustle of London.

T. G.

Great for concerts or just sitting outdoors, and I've recently discovered the cinema! A hidden gem with cheap films (but same things that are in other cinemas) and few adverts/previews. A great place all around!

W. A.

I had a walk around the lake. I came from St. Paul's passing by London museum and I went to Barbican centre. There was an film viewing about refugees. It was made with a special war camera.

R. S.

It's the Barbican, isn't it? An inherently special venue. I was lucky enough to go for a particularly special performance too. Look it up!

A. F.

When in doubt go to the Barbican center. This place is amazing

Very good theatre but the cafe had incredibly slow service. There could be more signs for directions as the whole complex seems confusingly laid out.

C. S.

From outside, one of the most boring buildings you can find (if you can find it) in London. However I was quite impressed with what this place has to offer inside! I went here to see Ahmad Jamal play jazz and the concert room had a very good layout where you could get a great view from every seat. Sound was great too. The stage lacked in interesting elements, but I'm not sure if it was the venue's fault or the choice of the performer. Haven't visited the rest of Barbican Centre but it did seem that there are many more things to be discovered there.

D. M.

Such a fan of the iconic brutalist architecture- although it’s not to everybody’s taste! The facilities in the building are very impressive, I really love the exhibitions and the exhibition space here.

T. S.

Always a great place to spend some time walking through its maze of corridors, or enjoy a show in one of the auditoriums. Interesting architecture, and on Sundays it's possible to visit the beautiful conservatory.

J. L.

Living in the artistic center of the world, I constantly check out the latest exhibitions because you just have to take full advantage of this amazing city. So the Barbican is a frequent stop during the weekend. I LOVE the barbican. Their exhibitions are well-concepted and well-executed. Generally, each theme is quite original... one of my favourites is the James Bond exhibition where you end getting tipsy on Bond cocktails. It was an ingenious way to wrap up the exhibition. In the summer they have an amazing outdoor patio where you can sit out on the grass and chill out. Summer or winter, I always get something from their cafe. They have a great range of food but because I usually come here after lunch, I get their yummy desserts and definitely something different every time. The decor is just as nice... I love sitting here and chatting about art, drinking coffee and enjoying a nice slice of cake. It's a great way to spend a weekend afternoon.

m. k.

Amazing place, the way how you get to your seat is different, not like at the usual theatre. Plus they have a few performances at the same time in different areas.

Great library, fantastic architecture, great facilities

The Barbican centre was voted 'London's Ugliest Building' in a 2003 poll, so it seems that we've not been able to trust the British public since long before the Brexit vote. This concrete building is a mecca for all Brutalist architecture lovers, and plays host to classical and contemporary music concerts, theatre performances, film screenings and art exhibitions. It also houses a massive public library and a conservatory that is nothing short of a tropical oasis. But then, this is the largest arts centre in Europe. When you enter, you find big industrial spaces, with high ceilings, artificial lighting, and the odd inconspicuous chair to sit back and absorb the ambience. Not the usual flouncy decoration you find in similar places, but they just let their exhibitions of the talking.

M. F. d. A.

Brutal Poetry. Voted London’s ugliest building in 2003, I’m pretty confident if it could, the Barbican would shrug (with some broad shoulders) and laugh nonchalantly at being considered not pretty! Why care about prettiness when one is beautiful already, in an out-of-the-ordinary, nearly unearthly way? Why care about cosmetics when one stands solid with character and filled with the spirit of so many outstanding performances and exhibitions? One of my favorite places in London, it’s where all my wandering in the city seems to gravitate towards — and though I’m an infrequent visitor to the town, I’ve been more times to The Barbican than to the UK. Guess some souls can never get enough of Brutal Poetry. Anyone else?

A. A.

A great evening out with great pure jazz

T. P.

The best cultural center in London. All exhibitions are mind blowing, well curated, in this brutalist masterpiece building. You ll also find live music, cinema, dance... Whatever you like or think you don't, Barbican will make you LOVE it.

Y. K.

I went to school in the area for a while so view the Barbican Centre as a sort of home away from home. It's somewhere that has a bit of everything, from free art exhibitions, to full orchestral concerts, to somewhere you can just sit and stare at pretty fountains. As with most of these sorts of places, the drinks and food can be a bit pricey but overall it's pretty decent.

I. W.

Brilliant gift shop with excellent staff. Ann was very helpful. Some irritable 'customers' mistook the shop counter for an help desk, making rude personal comments towards her but she was very professional in dealing with their strange outburst & dealing with my transaction afterwards.

A. N.

Very nice hidden garden, lots of nice plants, some water features, peaceful place and no price for admission, slightly long walk to find the entrance.

Really enjoyed going around the arts gallery yesterday. Even though the photographs had some strong images excellent work. As a member of the #choirwithnoname really enjoyed the event and to thank all at the Barbican allowing us to be a part of your exhibition

L. S. (.

I visited the Barbican centre for the architectural tour. I got there a few hours early and decided to take a walk around, see an exhibition and grab a drink. The Jazz Festival had a stage set up which was a nice surprise with a lively band on. It's quite an interesting centre, if you spend a bit of time there you find that part of the fun of the building is there are different ways to access the same thing. It's quite hard to describe. I particularly liked the Food Court and the gift shop... also the tour is highly recommendable if you're interested in the architecture and history of the Barbican.

A. T.

If anything, I would recommend going there to walk around the area. The brutalist architecture and the inner court create such a stark contrast to the neighbouring hustle and bustle of the City. You forget that you are in the heart of the City. This is an oasis in the middle of the desert.

R. M.

Vast sprawling concrete bunker, could do with better signposting

A. K.

One of my favourite spaces to visit. The architecture is great and steeped in post war history. The library is worth a visit and the exhibitions are always 10/10. A brutalist national treasure.

A. R.

My first ever visit to Barbican was in 2003 from what I recall. One of my British friends introduced me to Barbican then and since then I have been coming back regularly. Barbican is an amazing cultural complex. I watched many affordable and good quality performances here. I am a film buff so -2 level is my usual destination. Not quite sure about the new idea to have a gift shop in the middle of the main hall but if does work then that's fine.

T. U.

D. O.

The exhibitions here are always great and I adore the brutalist architecture of the place, always transports me to another place in time when I enter the building. They also have film showings which are great and they do student discounts on those which are doubly awesome. Will come here to hang out more often.

G. H.

Impressive piece(s) of architecture that you don’t necessarily get to comprehend at first glance. They’ve got guided walking tours of approximately 90 minutes. Walk-ins or online bookings. Highly recommend!

M. F.

The manager Neil has allowed me to have a quick shoot in the garden with a photographer, he was extremely welcoming. He came to get us at the door took us upstairs showed us everywhere and allowed us to use it even beyond the time we had it for. I will recommend this place for weddings or photoshoots because its beautiful and I would even have my birthday party or wedding there. Thank you so much Niel.

M. S. A.

The Barbican Centre had a long development period, only opening long after the surrounding Barbican Estate housing complex had been built. It is situated in an area which was badly bombed during World War II. The Barbican Centre, designed by Peter Chamberlin, Geoffry Powell and Christoph Bon of Chamberlin, Powell and Bon in the Brutalist style, has a complex multi-level layout with numerous entrances. Lines painted on the ground help would-be audience members avoid getting lost on the walkways of the Barbican Housing Estate on the way to the centre. The Barbican Centre's design – a concrete ziggurat – has always been controversial and divides opinion. It was voted "London's ugliest building" in a Grey London poll in September 2003.[7] In September 2001, arts minister Tessa Blackstone announced that the Barbican Centre complex was to be a Grade II listed building. It has been designated a site of special architectural interest for its scale, its cohesion and the ambition of the project.[8] The same architectural practice also designed the Barbican Housing Estate and the nearby Golden Lane Estate. Project architect John Honer later worked on the British Library at St Pancras – a red brick ziggurat. Barbican Centre, London, United Kingdom In the mid-1990s, a cosmetic improvement scheme by Theo Crosby, of the Pentagram design studio, added statues and decorative features reminiscent of the Arts and Crafts movement. In 2005–2006, the centre underwent a more significant refurbishment, designed by architects Allford Hall Monaghan Morris and Roger Westman, which improved circulation and introduced bold signage in a style in keeping with the centre's original 1970s Brutalist architecture. That improvement scheme added an internal bridge linking the Silk Street foyer area with the lakeside foyer area. The centre's Silk Street entrance, previously dominated by an access for vehicles, was modified to give better pedestrian access. The scheme included removing most of the mid-1990s embellishments. Outside, the main focal point of the centre is the lake and its neighbouring terrace. The theatre's fly tower has been surrounded by glass and made into a high-level conservatory. The Barbican Hall's acoustic has also been controversial: some praised it as attractively warm, but others found it too dry for large-scale orchestral performance. In 1994, Chicago acoustician Larry Kirkegaard oversaw a £500,000 acoustic re-engineering of the hall "producing a perceptible improvement in echo control and sound absorption", music critic Norman Lebrecht wrote in October 2000[9] – and returned in 2001 to rip out the stage canopy and drop adjustable acoustic reflectors, designed by Caruso St John, from the ceiling, as part of a £7.5 mn refurbishment of the hall. Art music magazine Gramophone still complained about "the relative dryness of the Barbican acoustic" in August 2007.[10] The theatre was built as the London home of the Royal Shakespeare Company, which was involved in the design, but decided not to renew its contract in 2002 after claiming a lack of performing space, plus the artistic director, Adrian Noble, wanting to develop the company's touring performances.[11] The theatre's response was to extend its existing six-month season of international productions, "Barbican International Theatre Event", to the whole year.[12] On 23 January 2013 Greg Doran, RSC artistic director, announced the Company's return to the Barbican Centre in a three-year season of Shakespeare's history plays.[13] The Guildhall School of Music and Drama, where the Barbican Centre theatrical performances are occasionally staged,[14] and the City of London's Barbican Library, neither part of the centre, are also on the site. The Museum of London is nearby at Aldersgate, and is also within the Barbican Estate.

C. A.

We lived in the Barbican for 19 years and loved it. Its like a village right smack in the centre of the greatest city. The flats (apartments) are very cleverly designed to have privacy, and peace and private access to the gardens. Having world class arts and performances on your doorstep is marvelous. The new cinema complex is also very convenient and up to date. Sure the general Brutal architecture takes getting used to , but it works very well once you get your bearings.

Extremely great service by one of the staff there. As my friends arrived a tad late into the play. She manage to sneak us in quietly and honestly, owe it to her, otherwise we would have missed the play altogether. A great night out with friends if you're stuck on what to do. Highly recommended if you are into theatre.

D. d.

Brilliant show. Would definitely recommend to anyone. Full House.

H. I.

It's an amazing place to be and also good for seminars and conferences.

B. (.

A maze of concrete and communal areas. Peaceful water falls in the middle.

J. S.

Once voted the ugliest building in London, the Barbican, a Brutalist masterpiece, is must but not only for any architecture lover. It is a haven, a labyrinth of concrete with amazing corners like the waterfall or the conservatory. The area was heavily bombed during World War II and now comprises a housing state and an arts centre with cafes, cinemas and a theatre.

X. W.

The Barbican Centre is a marvel of cultural architecture. I say 'marvel' in a very tentative way, because, like the whole Barbican Estate built around it, it has always divided opinion concerning whether or not it is 'brilliant' architecture or 'horrific' architecture. I like it, but I always welcome a debate. The Barbican is much like Milton Keynes. It was built an idea of what living in London might be like decades in the future, from the viewpoint of planners in the 60s and 70s. As such, the Barbican Centre was built as a self-contained social hub for the residents of the estate, with the idea that they'd never need to leave the estate, presumably as a result of a nuclear apocalypse or the outbreak of anarchy in the rest of London. Within this bizarre notional shell is actually a very good performance space, with a warm and inviting feel and excellent acoustics. Just don't expect to be able to find your way in or out with any ease. Every time I have visited the space I have gotten lost. Every. Time. Seriously. And I've been going here for 15 years at least. There's a surprisingly excellent café nestled in here as well, and the 70s aesthetics have slowly but inevitably swung back into fashion again. The programme of events is diverse and ambitious. I would recommend a concert from the London Symphony Chorus or a play from the Royal Shakespeare Company, which both call this space their home. You're therefore very likely to find yourself here if you want some high-brow performance entertainment in London. I'm sure you'll enjoy it, even if the decor raises one (or both) of your eyebrows.

M. K.

I really enjoyed the architecture and the interior community oriented design of this place. There were cool things to look at and a unique and lovely outdoor space. I would like to come back when the gardens are in full bloom.

E. N.

Myself and four friends went to the Dalston House and had a blast. We didn't have that much time to take our photos, but it was sufficient. It would have been really nice if they had had someone to take the pictures for those people visiting the house though! We found it easily because we had an insider, however not sure how many others would be able to find it easily. That being said, perhaps it is better as a hidden gem!

E. J.

If you're looking for interesting and unusual exhibitions, head down to the Barbican. They've had everything from fashion to computer game exhibits here before and I don't think they will ever lose that unique diversity of art on show. If that's not your cup of tea, they also show great films from all around the world and host a great, wide range of interesting talks too. There's definitely something for everyone here.

G. N.

I always like to go there~not so many tourists and there are so many well organized exhibitions.

T. A.

Definitely an interesting and refreshing visit. Although just stoped shortly by the art gallery as I spent more time at the Barbican Cinema, I found the exhibits eccentric, providing very tasty food for thought to the viewer.

M. S.

Barbican is that brutalist architecture dream! Just walk around the terraces & courtyards during the day, feel like you're in the film High Rise, and take a friend who knows a thing or two about architecture. Great for photographers. On another note, I'm a student and the center stays open until 11pm on weeknights, so I was frequently there to study and mooch off the free wifi! Not a fan of the coffee stand inside, but there are always outlets + tables to do work M-F. Quiet atmosphere & other students are there as well. The art gallery is a nice break as well.

R. S.

First visit and seriously impressed by very spacious seating and great views of the stage. Plenty of eating facilities and bars but finding the toilets can be quite difficult, better signage necessary.

S. S.

I adore every little nook and cranny of the Barbican from it's iconic brutalist concrete architecture to the myriad of cultural events that it hosts. In the past I have attended cosplay events, watched movies in a comfortable cinema, dined, shopped and accumulated a mass of unforgettable experiences strolling around exhibitions or just sitting peacefully with friends. Joy.

M. H.

I love the fact that this building and surrounding complex seems to be some 60s representation of what the future would look like. Getting around is basically impossible at ground level and you enter and exit the building on the second or third floor depending on which way you're heading. Some of the areas could definitely do with some love - it was raining when we were there and there were places where the water was leaking in! Still, cool place and generally cool exhibits. Just don't expect to have any phone signal. But you should be looking at the exhibits anyway, so why do you need your phone? ;-)

L. D.

Wonderful place to spend a whole day exploring it's nooks and crannies before going to a performance in the evening

7. T. (. o. S.

Amazing theatre complex. Great place to visit for entertainment cinema and theatrical performances. Just watched The Encounter and that was awesome. The building itself makes an interesting walkabout. And worth going outside onto the terrace for a cool view of the waterfront and fountains.

B. T.

The Barbican Centre has a lot to keep you returning for such as a theater, art exhibitions, library, cafe and work areas. The open space is ideal place for remote work if you are a digital nomad and they provide free Wi-Fi throughout the building.

N. T.

Into The Unknown was an amazing exhibition!

A. L.

I went there for to see Ludovico Einaudi concert and I really loved that place. Great seats and very good organization.

M. R.

There's always something happening at the Barbican Centre. Whether it's the brilliant temporary exhibitions, theatre, cinema or other events. Even if there's nothing you fancy then having a quiet drink by the lake in the wider Barbican complex is enjoyable. There's also plenty to explore on the "hidden" highwalks around the complex whilst you view the classic brutalist architecture. Well worth a visit to see a London landmark.

K. J.

Great facilties .. all worth exploring.

A. W.

Saw a brilliant production of Jesus Christ Super Star here. Fabulous venue highly recommend

J. G.

Great cinema space if you can get a ticket! They usually show "art house" films for around £6.00 on a Monday. Booking online is advisable as tickets get snapped up quickly.

M. M.

Truly beautiful place and staff lovely and very helpful. Only thing I would say is its not amazingly accessible for people with a wheelchair. We really struggled as disabled facilities were very out of the way and couldn't even get to the main box office which has a set of stairs to get up to it with no ramp and disabled toilets were situated way way out of the way. Other than that it's a lovely hall and acoustics we're some of the best I've ever heard.

A. F.

This is my favorite place in whole London. You can go in the Conservatory on Sunday which is a wonderful greenhouse well integrated in the buildings. If you are asking yourself where you can find modern culture in London this place is the definition of what modern culture is!

C. F. K.

The venue is a bit dated looking, but I had a great time there nonetheless. Quick bar service.

j. p.

Great venue for concerts. Attract good artists and always well organised and a good atmosphere. Definitely returning! For someone new to the complex it may be a little hard to navigate.

B. V.

Amazing space with great acoustics

C. V. S.

Show was good and artists very talented. The theater itself has very strange (and old) layout but still very good. I did not particularly like the way the play worked out but will still recomend to go if you are in London for a while.

S. R.

Great place with lots to offer. I've been for drinks, films and concerts and of course the architecture. Will be back when everything is back to normal.

K. W.

Ticks all the boxes for me. Great architecture (there are guided tours available), great music from the LSO (probably the finest orchestra in the world) and the cinema doesn't sell popcorn so would earn an extra star if I could give it. Good range of bars, cafes, restaurants. Pleasant highwalk from Monument station (and Bank too).

The Barbican Centre is really big - its architecture reminds me of big cities in South America for some reason... which in my opinion is not a good thing. Though the building is not a beauty per se, it is the home of the Symphony Orchestra, adding a layer of coolness to it. Overall, it's grey and a bit bleak. It hosts however, events and expos all the time. You need to keep up with the changes, because there is always something new. Head back towards the canal: there are some tables and chairs available outside by the cafe which is a very cool space in warm days.

Amazing inner city garden here!

m. b.

Great for Awards Ceremony on Graduation!

J. R.

The centre was absolutely fantastic. The only thing I could find fault with was the food. None of the places appear to cater for people that can only eat relatively plain food like fish and chips, steak and chips etc. I have IBS and found finding something that I could eat impossible .

C. r.

I just love being in this venue. It's so spacious and a good place to walk around to check out what's going on in terms of art exhibitions or theatre stuff. I went to the cinema to see Arrietty with a special friend here and I probably couldn't of picked a better venue to see a Studio Ghibli film :)

L. O.

Pretty good place to work, because it's quit. However, it's very dark inside so you get the winter blues as soon as you walk in. Food and drinks are overpriced. So a good place to sit for a few hours, but not suitable to work all day

I. M.

A utopian dream realised in the heart of London? It's certainly a pretty good attempt. Blending upscale apartments in towering blocks or social housing in long elevated terraces with floor to ceiling windows and at its heart the Barbican centre offering an ever changing range of concerts, films, exhibitions, talks, gigs, the seldom open garden Room. All within the wide open spaces of the foyer. All the more accessible and affordable with the not exorbitant annual membership (£100) offering free entrance to exihibitions and discounts on everything else.

R. R.

Tuesday 28th May 2018 10pm ish. Very interesting place, but the security staff need to keep a check on level 2 around the computer area. One person sitting on the computer table & trying to sing, others with tinny music playing, another lying on the floor listening to music. Thought l was in a youth club ;-)

V. D.

You can find some great shows here. Very down-to-earth and affordable. If you have fear of heights be careful with the upper-circle and gallery seats in the theatre.

E. C.

Just visited the exhibition about Basquiat: totally worth it!

J. Y.

Great theatre, once you know your way around.

M. T.

The digital revolution exhibition was one of the best interactive exhibitions I've ever been to. It was plain to see just how involved people felt in the technology on display. Otherwise, the Barbican is an odd curiosity of design, it can look monstrous and occasionally quite beautiful (on a sunny day from a certain angle...)

E. B.

Modern, clean, friendly

s. L.

Wonderful the most exciting cultural center I've never seen, strange atmosphere with amazing artist products

Z. J.

I watched the film "Barbicania" and became fascinated with the architecture of The Barbican. It's worth going to admire its brutalist architecture (both inside and outside) even if you are not attending any events at the venue. There are also guided tours and a shop selling products by local designs.

G. S. A. C.

Easily kill a few hours or more here. So much to do whether you're into art, music, film... great cafe and restaurant too. If you have a chance, visit Momentum at the Curve - great art installation.

M. D.

Art galleries very enjoyable and not too crowded. Centre can be difficult to navigate.

A. B.

I saw an interesting adaptation of Shakespeare's "Measure for Measure" tonight at Barbican Centre. Very talented actors, a witty, dark and emotional play,an extremely pleasant evening! 🤗

A. G.

I love this place, it's one of the first things that amazed me about London. I instantly fell in love with the brutalist architecture, I spent hours wandering the halls as well as the exterior. There is a fantastic garden for residents as well as sunken bbq areas in the pond flowing through. The Centre itself houses galleries, cinemas, theatres, concert halls and is a must for art fans. If you're going then look up a map on the internet of where you need to go as it can become a labryinth once you are inside

M. D.

My first time ever riding a horse. We were put on horses sized according to our weight and experience. We were given a short tutorial on how to 'steer' and stop the horses, then went round a few times in a paddock to practise those techniques and how to trot. We then went out for a love ride up a hill and across a small gauge railway line where we had a lovely view of the area. The ride was pretty much nose to tail horse following horse lead by one guide and followed up by another. At times we broke into a trot for short spells. It was a very enjoyable first experience for me. I would like to have had some more freestyle time to feel like I was more in control of the horse rather than then just following the horse in front. But an enjoyable experience.

V. B.

Loved it. The structure of the theatre and its quite small capacity allows you to have a good view from almost every seat, so you don't have to pay a fortune to have a good time. Magical surroundings so if the weather is good you can sip a coffee by the water outside. Highly recommend.

R. E.

Its looks will divide opinion but if you love it, it's a special place.

A. P.

Attended the rain room exhibition. Not sure if it was worth a two hour wait. Thankfully it was free :) Service however was good and a comfy wait. Nice building overall - would like to go back and explore further.

C. A.

Lovely theatre. Went to see Jesus Christ Superstar and it was amazing!

H. P.

B. R.

Some people say the Barbican is ugly. They are, simply, wrong. This is an amazing, if somewhat brutalist 60s development, that combines theatres, exhibition spaces, restaurants and cinemas, with landscaped gardens and sought-after flats. It even has one of London's most underrated museums - the Museum of London!

E. A.

Every trip to the Barbican brings about some awesome experiences. When you go simply to see one show or exhibition you end up exploring the whole building for ages afterwards enjoying all the different spaces and arts on show. The variety is immense - I went to the James Bond exhibition and ended the day with fancy martinis and then going to see the Where The Wild Things Are opera (yes, opera!) we stayed to see a dance piece in the main foyer about the play of light and sound. Whatever you expect you'll be suprised and delighted. I will say that the bar drinks are on the pricey side and even though we bought them just before the show started we weren't warned that we couldn't take them into the auditorium! Had to down them, which is a pain!

T. D.

If you're a fan of Brutalist architecture -- or modern architecture in general -- don't miss Barbican. It's such a wild building you can walk all around and into. Don't miss their gift shop on the first floor selling all kinds of modern design/architecture knick knacks.

V. “. L. L.

Barbican Centre is an amazing place where you have mixed all kinds of cultural events. The dance performances are stunning. And if you like cinema, on Monday, you have a reduced price on the tickets, 6.50£.

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