Barbican
No upcoming performances are currently listed for Barbican.
What Visitors Say
The Barbican Centre is easily one of my favourite places to spend some time! There's always something to see whether it's theatre, art, dance, music or film - there's something for all interests. Thoroughly enjoyed the Noah Davis exhibition, which gave a fresh insight into introducing me to a new artist who is now one of my favourites. There's also lots of free installations and events to see to - so not everything is ticketed. It's a great to go for drinks and chill ad relax too. The Barbican Centre is easy to get to via public transport, accessible and located centrally near lots of places nearby to get something to eat. Not forgetting that you can also buy food and drinks within the Barbican Centre as there are bars/restaurants/cafes inside. And there's also an onsite library and shops inside too - what more could you want?! Always worthwhile a visit!
A fantastic venue for live music in the heart of London. Getting there can be a bit of a lottery because of the central location, but having an on-site car park that is easy to book in advance makes things much easier. The concert hall is excellent, with great acoustics and a really enjoyable atmosphere. The concert itself was absolutely wonderful. I would definitely recommend Barbican Centre.
A must-see spot in London if you are interested in architectural history. It is a landmark of Brutalist architecture. The complex combines residential estates with a cultural venue hosting concerts and exhibitions. It also features a cinema, a gift shop, and restaurants. I recommend it for a family day out.
First time visiting the Barbican, and I must say I was very impressed by its striking Brutalist architecture. In particular, the descent down to the stalls creates an interesting visual perspective, with the illuminated arches leading to each individual row adding a distinctive architectural touch. The seats themselves were comfortable, although they did not automatically fold up when standing, which made it more difficult for people to pass along the row during the performance. As for High Society, it was generally an enjoyable production. Unfortunately, around ten minutes in, the actor playing George appeared to forget his lines, resulting in the scene having to be restarted. Thankfully, it resumed from the beginning of that scene rather than from the start of the show, and the cast recovered well. I also felt that the understudy performing Dexter’s songs was occasionally slightly off-key, although this did not significantly detract from the overall experience. There were also some issues during the interval. The queues became quite congested and made it difficult to see what refreshments were available, suggesting that the organisation of the bar and service areas could have been improved. The facilities were less impressive. The toilets had an unpleasant smell, and there were particularly long queues for the women’s toilets, which added to the congestion during the interval. Exiting the venue proved somewhat challenging. The stairways created bottlenecks, particularly as some older audience members understandably needed to take the stairs slowly, causing delays in leaving the auditorium. Overall, despite a few operational issues, some challenges with the facilities, and a couple of performance mishaps, I enjoyed both the production and the experience of visiting the Barbican. The venue’s unique architecture alone makes it worth a visit, and High Society remains an entertaining musical.
We went there and saw a shakspear play. The building itself is a very nice brutalist architecture and from the inside it is pretty spacious and comfortable. The theatre room that we visited was very pretty and i loved how the doors closed and that each row had its own entrance. They had a nice souvenir shop with a photoautomat. Great experience.
About Barbican
The original London staging of Les Misérables premiered at the Barbican before transferring to the West End, becoming the longest-running musical in history.
Venue Tips
✨ Best For
Bold new drama, RSC productions, international tours, dance, concerts, and contemporary work in a landmark cultural space.
💺 Best Seats
Stalls for immersive detail; Circle for balanced full-stage views; Gallery front rows for strong value with elevated sightlines across the vast stage.
⚠️ Seats to Avoid
Back rows of the Gallery feel distant; far-side seats may lose depth in scenic detail due to the auditorium’s width and height.
Things to Know Before You Go
Which seats are worth prioritising at Barbican?
Stalls for immersive detail; Circle for balanced full-stage views; Gallery front rows for strong value with elevated sightlines across the vast stage. For a safer booking, also note: Back rows of the Gallery feel distant; far-side seats may lose depth in scenic detail due to the auditorium’s width and height. Use that as editorial guidance rather than a guarantee; always check the live seating plan and any seat notes before paying.
Is Barbican a good venue for seeing Wendy and Peter Pan?
Yes, if you book with the production's scale in mind. Wendy and Peter Pan is currently listed at Barbican, so choose seats that suit this staging rather than simply buying the cheapest available ticket. For a first visit, a central view is the least risky option.
What kind of night out does Barbican suit best?
Barbican works best for Bold new drama, RSC productions, international tours, dance, concerts, and contemporary work in a landmark cultural space. The right choice depends less on dress code and more on matching the room to the production: intimate plays reward proximity, while spectacle-led musicals usually benefit from a more centred overview.
What should I know about access before booking Barbican?
Check the venue's official access page or box office before booking wheelchair spaces, transfer seats, step-free routes, companion seats or assisted performances. London venues vary sharply by level, and the most comfortable choice is often a specific access seat rather than a general price band.
How early should I arrive at Barbican?
Aim to be at the doors around half an hour before the performance, and earlier if you need access support, cloakroom time, box-office collection or a quiet drink. For older West End buildings, late arrival can mean stairs, narrow foyers and a less relaxed start.
What is the easiest way to reach Barbican?
Barbican is the simplest station to check first. The venue address in our data is Silk Street. For weekend visits, check engineering works and leave a little extra time around the West End and major transport hubs.
Where is the Barbican Theatre located?
On Silk Street within the Barbican Estate, close to the Museum of London and St Paul’s Cathedral.
Which Tube stations are closest?
Barbican (4 minutes), Moorgate (7 minutes), and St Paul’s (10 minutes).
Which train stations are nearest?
Liverpool Street (10 minutes) and Farringdon (12 minutes) are the closest National Rail stations.
How early should I arrive?
Arrive 30 minutes before curtain up for wayfinding through the complex and security checks if in place.
Is there a dress code?
No dress code — smart casual or comfortable clothing is typical for both day and evening shows.
Is the theatre wheelchair accessible?
Yes. Step-free routes, lifts to all levels, wheelchair spaces, captioned and BSL-interpreted performances, and hearing systems are available.
Are food and drinks available?
Yes — multiple bars and restaurants in the centre offer drinks, snacks and meals.
Are bags checked at the entrance?
Light bag security is common. Large bags, sharp objects and glass bottles are not permitted.
🤓 Fun Facts
Opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1982 as a cultural gift to the nation.
Built on a Blitz-devastated site and designed by Chamberlin, Powell and Bon in bold Brutalist style.
Former London home of the Royal Shakespeare Company, which premiered productions here including the original Les Misérables.
Headquarters of the London Symphony Orchestra and BBC Symphony Orchestra.
The Barbican is not just a theatre — it contains galleries, a library, cinemas, restaurants and tropical conservatory gardens.
Nearby Places
Barbican Centre
1 min 👣
British Red Cross Museum and Archives
5 min 👣
Guildhall Art Gallery
6 min 👣
Goldsmiths' Centre
8 min 👣
Museum of the Order of St John
8 min 👣
Wesley's Chapel, Museum of Methodism and John Wesley's House
8 min 👣
The Viaduct Tavern, EC1
8 min 👣
St Paul’s Cathedral
9 min 👣
St Paul's Cathedral
9 min 👣
Bank of England Museum
10 min 👣
London Mithraeum
11 min 👣Venue Location
Nearest Tube Stations
- Barbican Metropolitan, Hammersmith & City, Circle Zone 1 0.28 km
- Moorgate Hammersmith & City, Circle, Metropolitan, Northern Zone 1 0.43 km
- St. Paul's Central Zone 1 0.60 km