Described by the Queen as 'one of the wonders of the modern world' , the Barbican Centre has also been voted 'London's ugliest building'. Ugly or not, this multi-faceted performance and arts venue is truly wondrous. Open 363 days a year, it offers the most diverse program of any London venue. As well as being home to the London Symphony Orchestra , the centre's giant Barbican Hall attracts a host of international classical, jazz, rock, and world music stars. Two theatres offer a year-round program of some of the finest in international performing arts, while three cinemas mix mainstream films with specialist seasons. The Barbican Art Gallery, several smaller exhibition spaces, shops, cafes, restaurants, bars, live music in the foyer, and a host of talks, signings, and events for children are also on offer. The building itself is a labyrinth and finding your route from the station or car park is an adventure in itself. Staircases twist around each other, directing lost patrons into mysteriously empty mezzanines, where odd snatches of music are the only guide back to the main lobby. The joy of coming across exhibitions, live music, or talks from a major arts celebrity in some odd corner of the building is a unique feature of this remarkable concentration of artistic talent.
What's on at
Barbican Centre
Radical Nature 19th June 2009 - 18th October 2009 Land art brings the environment to the gallery interior as...
Valentine's Day Love Classics
Barbican Centre, EC2Y 8DS
14th February 2009
The classy alternative to sitting in a crowded restaurant eating overpriced food is the Barbican's... More
London Children's Film Festival
Barbican Centre, EC2Y 8DS and various venues throughout London
21st - 29th November 2009 (DATES TO BE CONFIRMED)
This is one of those events... More
Barbican Centre
Silk Street, EC2Y 8DS
Described by the Queen as "one of the wonders of the modern world", the Barbican Centre has also been voted... More
The Harder They Come
Barbican Theatre, Barbican Centre, EC2Y 8DS
6th March 2008 - 5th April 2008
Ivanhoe Martin comes to Kingston an innocent country boy with dreams... More
London Children's Film Festival
Barbican Centre, EC2Y 8DS
22nd November 2008 - 30th November 2008 *(dates to be confirmed)
This is one of those events that makes you... More
Just North of the city, these well-appointed family apartments offer an idyllic little spot for parents with children. At the weekend, the city is ...More
Filled with old fashioned touches like wood panelling, old paintings, stone flagged floors, claw foot baths and open fires, The Rookery has plenty of character. ... More
Land art brings the environment to the gallery interior as 25 select artists give their interpretation of climate change issues at the Barbican's summer exhibition, ...More
Part of the Barbican Centre for arts and conferences the Curve Gallery, situated on the ground floor, has changing exhibitions of photography, art and ... More
Huge, multifaceted arts and entertainment centre.
Described by the Queen as “one of the wonders of the modern world”, this multifaceted performance and arts venue forms ... More
Tucked away near the Barbican multi-arts centre and the world-renowned Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Chimes Music is in illustrious company. Since opening in ...More
An old-fashioned barber’s patronised by city gentlemen and established in 1904. As well as a shampoo and cut you can also have the traditional hot ...More
Taking inspiration from Japanese ramman-noodle bars, Wagamama is the ultimate in high-quality, fast food. Huge bowls of steaming, soupy noodles, chicken dumplings with a chilli-soy ... More
City’s Print Journalism course is recognised as the best in London. Although places like Goldsmith’s are trendier, City is respected in the industry thanks to ... More
Bounded in by surrounding office buildings, Postman's Park's appeal lies in what it symbolises as much as how it looks. Located just north of St ... More
Built on the site of a Victorian meat cellar, Fabric continues to boast the most sensational line-ups in the capital. Its global reputation is founded ... More
The wonderfully-named Black Lotus Karate Club is a new and vibrant venue to open in Shoreditch. Located in the Scrutton Street Warehouse, the nightclub is ...More
Huge, multifaceted arts and entertainment centre.
Described by the Queen as “one of the wonders of the modern world”, this multifaceted performance and arts venue forms ... More
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Land art brings the environment to the gallery interior as 25 select artists give their interpretation of climate change issues at the Barbican's summer exhibition, ... More