The Barbican Centre is a performing arts centre in the Barbican Estate of the City of London, England, and the largest of its kind in Europe. The centre hosts classical and contemporary music concerts, theatre performances, film screenings and art exhibitions.
Home to some 4,000 residents across 2,000 flats, organised around schools, a church, a library, an artificial lake, conservatory and an entire arts centre, no detail was left unconsidered, from the top of the 40 storey towers to the basement theatre and cinemas.
It's an impressive complex and a Brutalist architectural icon. Even if the events on are not to your liking I would still say it's worth a wander around this labyrinthine concrete jungle.
The Barbican is an arts, learning, and conference centre in the heart of the City of London. We're passionate about showcasing the most exciting art from around the world, pushing traditional artistic boundaries and helping us understand our lives in new and unexpected ways.
It offers a unique juxtaposition of brutalist architecture and a tropical jungle. Entry is completely free, but you do need to book tickets in advance. Tickets are released one week in advance and can get snapped up quickly.
There is no dress code for our concerts, other than for the people on stage. Please come as you feel comfortable – jeans and trainers are perfectly acceptable, but if you would like to dress up, please do.
Barbican means fortress, and it is built not far from the main fort of Roman London. Its architects Chamberlin, Powell and Bon, wanted to create practical homes for City workers. In 2001 their creation was listed. As architectural appreciation for the Barbican has grown over the years, so has its value.
We want to make your visit a comfortable and enjoyable one. We have accessible toilets for people with disabilities, gender neutral toilets, and dedicated toilet facilities for men and women.
Licensed to host wedding and civil partnership ceremonies, the Barbican Conservatory is the perfect place to host your special day. Once you have completed your wedding vows, let your photographer whisk you away to our secluded couples area, whilst we serve your guests with champagne and canapés.
The City of London Corporation is the owner, founder and principal funder of the Barbican Centre. Its contribution to the Barbican's overall budget has reduced in recent years, and this is expected to continue.
You may find it easier to avoid bringing bags no larger than 32(w) x 18(l) x 22cm(h) on your next visit. Larger bags may be stored in the cloakroom. All bags are subject to search when entering our galleries. Small backpacks are to be worn on the front.
Well actually that's not strictly true, it was the lift that broke with the organ in it. As you will probably know, there is no built-in organ in the Barbican so we have to hire in an electronic one, which the critics never fail to mention.
Section capacities are 681 Stalls, 195 Circle, 159 Upper Circle and 137 Gallery. Use our interactive seating plan to view 4489 seat reviews and 3862 photos of views from seat. The auditorium offers excellent views from comfortable seats with good legroom. Overhang restrictions are very limited on all levels.
The Barbican Centre also includes large foyers and public spaces, a library, the Lakeside Terrace, conference facilities and three restaurants. Experience free installations, commissions and events in our public spaces, whatever time you visit.
The taking of photographs, capturing of images or the use of any recording devices including mobile phones during any performance is strictly prohibited. The Barbican or any permitted third parties may carry out general filming and sound recording in or about the venue.
Opened in 1982, this grade-II listed building is recognised globally as an icon of Brutalist style. The Barbican Centre includes theatres, galleries, concert halls and cinemas, plus a large conservatory with over 1,500 species of plants and trees, a library, restaurants, bars, a shop and a picturesque lakeside oasis.
Barbican is a brand of non-alcoholic malt drinks distributed by the Aujan Coca-Cola Beverages Company (ACCBC). The drink is primarily sold in the Middle East and North Africa. Due to the popularity of Barbican in the "Gulf countries" of the GCC, it has become a genericized trademark for non-alcoholic malt drinks.
The largest and most expensive home in the Barbican estate has gone on sale for £4.5 million, weeks after the price of a flat in the iconic Brutalist complex breached the £1 million price barrier for the first time.
Stonegate Pub Company Ltd is the largest pub company in the UK, operating around 4,800 managed, leased and tenanted pubs. It is owned by TDR Capital. The head office is based in Solihull, England, and the company is registered in George Town, Cayman Islands.
The real story was that the water in the lake performed a dual function as part of the Barbican Centre's cooling system, which was a very clever idea, but in practice algae growing in the lake was gumming up the equipment. The Chief Biologist for Metropolitan Water Services of the Thames Water Authority was brought in.
