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Barbican Centre
Performing Arts Venue, Movie Theater, and Art Gallery
Barbican, London
The folks at The Guardian and Time Out London like this place. Would you agree?
"Love the brutalist architecture."(5 Tips)
"They also do architecture tours which are great!"(4 Tips)
"... bottle of wine at the Waterside Cafe and then go see a movie in the cinema—I..."(4 Tips)
"have a wonder round the free exhibitions then coffee outside."(3 Tips)
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148 Tips and reviewsFilter:
- architecture
- concerts
- brutalist
- café
- quiet
- (15 more)
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- I love the austere architecture, sit in the sun with a beer, watch a film, music or exhibition. They also do architecture tours which are great!Upvote29DownvoteUpvoted 3 weeks ago
Frankie RobertoSeptember 12, 2014Grab a window seat in the Gin Joint (level 2). Great for people-watching. Huge range of gins, and they're all £7.50 (including mixer) between 5pm and 8pm, even the most expensive ones.Upvote18Downvote
Amy YFebruary 28, 2015Free entry to walk around an amazing brutalist piece of architecture. Top notch architectural tour and even better music / arts / theatre gigs. See if you can get a discount via Young BarbicanUpvote15Downvote- Lucy HadgeMay 3, 2016Love the Benugo cafe , there are lots of plugs around if you want to bring your laptop. Prices in Benugo are average. You can get an Americano for £2.40 (tall). Benugo has a nice overview of lakesideUpvote4Downvote
Katherine M.May 18, 2015An ambitious Brutalist experiment spanning several city blocks. Includes several apartment towers, a small university, a performing arts center, office space, a plant-filled conservatory. Fascinating.Upvote2Downvote
DunjaSeptember 29, 2019Make sure to get lost, every little corner is amazing. Also, during the day you can just come in and work / study / read, it’s quiet and there’s quite a few people hanging out every day.Upvote1Downvote
Jason HirstJune 9, 2015So many people simply walk by this big secret! A great cafe, lovely gardens, relaxing water feature and intellectual gatherings. Do visit!Upvote2Downvote
Y KimAugust 16, 2015Went to Cinema 3 to watch a movie. There were no many people so it was quiet and relaxing. The Benugo cafe inside the building is a hidden gem to spend a peaceful Sunday afternoon.Upvote1Downvote
The LSO is the Resident Orchestra here, and very proud we are too. The BBC Symphony Orchestra also play here, as do many great international groups and individuals. Not just classical either!Upvote12Downvote
FilmsquareJuly 12, 2013It is while walking across the square of the Frobisher Cresent that James Bond tells Tanner that Mr Slate was a "dead end" and M responds, "Oh my God he killed him" in Quantum of Solace (2008). Read more
Upvote2Downvote- Y KimJune 28, 2015Amazing architecture and a nice selection of films. Don't miss a garden room where is peaceful and green.
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This is surely one of the best Arts Centres in the world. Is and has been the iconic home residences of greats such as London Symphony Orchestra and Royal Shakespeare Company.Upvote6Downvote
Niko FelgerApril 4, 2013Do the Architecture Tour! It's incredible, there's so much fascinating stuff about this place. Plus, for us it was a private tour with the super-passionate guide as we were the only ones on the tour.Upvote2Downvote
Marc SJune 3, 2019Sprawling Brutalist ziggurat. Arts presented therein can be first-class but the building is leading only as a Chamberlin, Powell and Bon-designed architectural mess deserving of its Grade II listing.UpvoteDownvote
Best place to work if you don't have an office space. There is free wifi, good seating area and many electric plugs. Bring food if you are staying late.UpvoteDownvote- Frankie RobertoDecember 10, 2014Join the members scheme to access the members-only Red Room, which is a quieter than the other bars, and has a good selection of wine & food.UpvoteDownvote
Nancy Rodrigues da CostaSeptember 14, 2015The music library is a great study place! Is a quite area and as a plus you can listen to the CDs from the library to help with concentration.UpvoteDownvote
Kristina PhamMay 24, 2015I like sitting by the fountains it's calming and nice and there's a nice cafe nearby
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Freddie HarrisonJanuary 11, 2016Great exhibition on Charles and Ray Eames, if a little pricey. Be sure to check your bags in to avoid the scorn of the security-conscious staff!UpvoteDownvote
Luke KpaintFebruary 6, 2016Great concert hall. I love some live music events that take place in the central open areas, in front of the bar.UpvoteDownvote
TeeAugust 31, 2015The theatre is such a little gem. the fountains outside the centre are great on a hot day - Never too busy.UpvoteDownvote
Alina Y.August 9, 2014Excited by this place and all the things that centre does. Every part and every exhibition is must-visit definitelyUpvoteDownvote- Friederike WildMay 16, 2017Visit Beech Garden for a tranquil urban break with some green. You find it near Bryer Court.
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S Marks The SpotsMarch 31, 2013The largest multi-arts centre in Europe. On sunny summer days enjoy a cup of coffee at its sunny terrace after an exhibition/play. Read moreUpvote2Downvote
Cinemas 2&3 are by far the best cinemas in London. No stale furniture smell, plenty of room, great sound quality.Upvote3Downvote
Charlotte MaguierJanuary 4, 2014Delicious food and reasonable prices in the food hall (ground floor). Worth a visit if you're looking for a nice lunch in the area!UpvoteDownvote- Lucy HadgeMay 3, 2016It's spacious, lots of sockets, perfect place to have meetings and work and grab a bite by lakesideUpvoteDownvote
- Helen ForrestJanuary 2, 2010Waterside cafe is an inexpensive and good value place to eat with a choice of hot and cold dishes and desserts. You can get a main meal, dessert and drink for well under 15 pounds.Upvote4Downvote
Greg SadownikOctober 18, 2012The Random International Rain Room installation currently in The Curve area has a queuing time of about two hours but is well worth it if you like being amazed at human ingenuity.UpvoteDownvote
Sarah SpillipsMarch 9, 2015Great cultural happenings all the time. The garden room on a Sunday is great.
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Person 5August 15, 2016Always something cool on here so see listings but also great to just turn up and wander about. Striking architecture.UpvoteDownvote
John BoothJuly 13, 2015Good to wander round and relax in the city. There are some good cultural events usually too.UpvoteDownvote
Andrew SpindlerMay 21, 2015The free wifi is very fast. Never had such a fast Internet. Download speeds of 40+mbs
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Paul MisonJune 10, 2013If there's nothing in the arts centre you want to see, at least you can wander around the imposing architecture.Upvote3Downvote
JustinJanuary 18, 2015Wonderfully atmospheric space for concerts (great programme of events) or just relaxingUpvoteDownvote
BullbearingsJune 20, 2011Part of the Barbican Estate. Centre for the Arts & Culture where you will always find something interesting to do: music concerts, theatre, film screenings and art exhibitions.UpvoteDownvote- Friederike WildMay 16, 2017Great place to work with many seating areas. Free WiFi is called "Lets Take a Walk"UpvoteDownvote
One of my absolute favourite places in London. Full of music, art and so much creativity. A joy to visit every time I go. Read moreUpvoteDownvote
One of the most interesting urban projects in London. Do the archiectural tour at the weekend!UpvoteDownvote
Great restaurant on the second floor run by Searcys. Great menu and loads of Gin! http://searcys.co.uk/venues/gin-joint/UpvoteDownvote- Naz MeerhoutDecember 23, 2013Great place to watch a film. Only 2 screens so not a lot of choice but great seats, service and price.UpvoteDownvote
One of the best cultural hubs in London. The food hall is stunning too!UpvoteDownvote- Inayaili de León PerssonOctober 13, 2009Have a nice dinner and a bottle of wine at the Waterside Cafe and then go see a movie in the cinema—I love it that there is no pop-corn, and it's also one of the cheapest cinema's in town.UpvoteDownvote
Great place to escape the lunchtime crowds in the city - a great oasis of calmUpvoteDownvote
Adam NowekJune 14, 2015Do the architecture tour! Make sure you book it in advance online.UpvoteDownvote
CaterinaAugust 25, 2016If you haven't been to Ragnar Kjartansson's exhibition yet...GO NOW!!!
UpvoteDownvote- Great venue. Love the brutalist architecture. Amazing!UpvoteDownvote
- CaterinaAugust 25, 2016If you haven't been to Ragnar Kartjansson's exhibition yet..GO NOW!!!UpvoteDownvote
2,524 Photos
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Open until 11:00 PM (Show more)
- Mon–Sat
- 9:00 AM–11:00 PM
- Sun
- Noon–11:00 PM
+44 20 7638 8891
Features
Reservations
Yes
Credit Cards
Yes (incl. American Express & MasterCard)
Wi-Fi
Free
Outdoor Seating
Yes
See More
Places inside Barbican Centre
- 9.1
"One of my favourite places to see live music - so much atmosphere"
Justin - 9.0
"The Food Hall serves excellent hot meals for a very good price for this part of London. Generous portions!"
Tom Bisely - 8.7
"One of my favourites. Sound is incredibly good and the cheap seats offer a good view"
Alvaro Rodriguez
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