Barbican Centre in London
London's Barbican Centre holds 1,943 in its concert hall and 1,154 in its theatre, a 4-minute walk from Barbican tube station on Silk Street.
Photo credits
The Brutalist concrete facade of the Barbican Centre on Silk Street in London: Nachomaans · CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answers
- Capacity
- 1,943 Hall · 1,154 Theatre
- Address
- Silk StEC2Y 8DS London
- Nearest Tube
- Barbican, 4 min walk
- From Liverpool Street
- 11 min walk
- Parking
- On site; £15 Mon–Fri from 4pm, weekends & bank holidays
- Bags
- One handbag per person; cloakroom free
- Tickets
- Half Six Fix from £19
- Contact
- +44 20 7870 2500
Holidays at Barbican Centre
Open on the holidays: these nights are in the agenda.
- New Year's EveThe Music of Zimmer vs Williams
- New Year's DayNew Years Day Proms
Barbican Centre agenda: upcoming events
Tonight, this week and the months ahead at this venue in London.
Last night at Barbican Centre: Inmo Yang plays Bartók’s First Violin Concerto
April 2027
- Sun18Apr
- Mon19Apr
- Thu22Apr
- Thu22Apr
- Sat24Apr
- Thu29Apr
£28.33Tickets
May 2027
- Wed5May
- Thu6May
- Fri7May
- Sat8May
- Sun9May
- Wed12May
Plan your visit to Barbican Centre
How many people fit in the Barbican Centre?
- Barbican Hall
- 1,943
- Barbican Theatre
- 1,154
- The Pit
- 152
- Cinema 1
- 280
- Cinemas 2 and 3
- 153 each
The Barbican Hall seats 1,943 people, the Barbican Theatre 1,154 and the Pit 152. The three cinemas hold 280, 153 and 153. The Hall is the largest room: 855 seats in the Stalls, 767 in the Circle and 321 in the Balcony.
At 1,943 seats, the Hall is about twice the size of Cadogan Hall (953), smaller than the Royal Festival Hall (2,500) and less than half the Royal Albert Hall (5,272). The Hall can be scaled between 500 and 1,943 seats depending on the stage layout, so the figure for your event is the one on its ticket page.
| Venue | Type | Capacity | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barbican Hall | Concert hall | 1,943 | Silk Street |
| Cadogan Hall | Concert hall | 953 | Chelsea |
| Royal Festival Hall | Concert hall | 2,500 | South Bank |
| Royal Albert Hall | Concert hall | 5,272 | South Kensington |
Barbican seating plan: Hall and Theatre seats
Both main rooms are tiered, and seats are numbered. Check the seat map on your event page for the exact layout of that show.
- Hall levels
- Stalls 855 · Circle 767 · Balcony 321
- Theatre levels
- Stalls 679 · Circle 195 · Upper Circle 143 · Gallery 137
- Wheelchair spaces
- Row U, rear Stalls (16) and back row Circle (4)
- Hearing loop
- Yes, in the Hall
- Theatre wheelchair spaces
- Rear Stalls (4) and Upper Circle row B (4)
In the Hall, the Stalls (855) are the lowest level, the Circle (767) sits above them and the Balcony (321) is the top level. Wheelchair spaces are in row U at the rear of the Stalls (up to 16) and the back row of the Circle (four); some seats in row S of the Stalls are for people with very limited mobility.
The Theatre is divided over four levels: Stalls (679), Circle (195), Upper Circle (143) and Gallery (137). The Barbican says no seat is more than 20 metres from the stage, so even the Gallery is close. Wheelchair spaces are at the rear of the Stalls (four) and row B of the Upper Circle (four), reached by a platform lift.
Which seats to choose: the Stalls put you closest to the stage, the Circle gives a raised, head-on view and the Balcony is highest and furthest away. In the Theatre, the Stalls are closest and the Gallery highest.
- For the closest view, choose the Stalls.
- For a raised, head-on view in the Hall, choose the Circle.
- The Balcony is the highest and furthest level in the Hall.
- Wheelchair users can book row U in the Hall's Stalls or the back row of the Circle; the Theatre has accessible toilets on the mezzanine during performances.
Where to eat and drink at the Barbican
Barbican Kitchen on Level G is the all-day option, open 9am to 8pm daily; children under 10 eat free from the kids' menu with an adult meal over £10. The Barbican Bar & Grill on Level 1 and the Martini Bar on the first floor serve pre-show meals and drinks with lakeside views.
For something quicker, the foyer bars and café run through the day and evening. Urban Baristas at the Cinema Café on Beech Street opens 8am to 9pm on weekdays and 10am to 9pm at weekends, and Spiritland on Level 2 is a listening bar with lakeside views.
- Barbican Kitchen
- Level G, 9am–8pm daily
- Bar & Grill
- Level 1, pre-show menus
- Martini Bar
- First floor, lakeside views
- Urban Baristas
- 8am–9pm weekdays; 10am–9pm weekends
- Spiritland
- Level 2 listening bar
- Book the Bar & Grill or Barbican Kitchen before a popular show.
- Barbican Kitchen is the best value for families: under-10s eat free with an adult meal over £10.
- The Martini Bar and Spiritland are for drinks before or after the performance.
Opening hours and free things to do
The building and foyers are open 8am to 11pm Monday to Friday, 9am to 11pm at weekends and 11am to 11pm on bank holidays. The Level G ticket desk is open 10am to 7.30pm daily; venue desks open 60 minutes before performances, and cinema desks 30 minutes before screenings.
The Barbican Library on Level 2 is a public library with music and children's collections; it is being refurbished from 2 November 2026, so check current hours before travelling. The Conservatory is free but timed, with entry on Level 3 and seasonal opening dates; large bags are not allowed inside. The Art Gallery on Level 3 opens Tuesday to Sunday during exhibitions and is closed on Mondays and bank holidays.
- Building
- Mon–Fri 8am–11pm; weekends 9am–11pm
- Ticket desk
- Level G, 10am–7.30pm daily
- Library
- Level 2; check hours during refurbishment
- Conservatory
- Free, timed entry, Level 3
- Art Gallery
- Tue–Sun during exhibitions; closed Mondays
Accessibility at the Barbican
The Barbican has step-free routes and lifts to all levels, accessible toilets on all public levels and a Changing Places facility in the Beech Street cinema complex, open 09:00–23:00. In the Hall, wheelchair spaces are in row U at the rear of the Stalls (up to 16) and the back row of the Circle (four); the Theatre has two accessible toilets on the mezzanine during performances, plus wheelchair spaces at the rear of the Stalls (four) and row B of the Upper Circle (four), reached by a platform lift.
Assistance dogs are welcome in the venues, with seats in row G of the Hall's Stalls, and there is an induction loop in the Hall. The Access Scheme covers accessible booking, and Access Guides are available online; join online or call the Box Office on 020 7870 2500.
Blue Badge holders park free. Occasional visitors can take their badge to a reception desk or the Barbican Shop for a complimentary voucher; regular visitors can join the Access Membership Scheme for automatic free entry. Wide bays in Car Parks 3 and 5 can be reserved online by 12 noon the day before, subject to availability, and the Box Office can issue a free exit pass.
- Step-free
- Yes, lifts to all levels
- Accessible toilets
- On all public levels
- Changing Places
- Beech Street cinema complex, 09:00–23:00
- Wheelchair spaces
- Hall row U and back Circle
- Theatre wheelchair spaces
- Rear Stalls (4) and Upper Circle row B (4)
- Blue Badge parking
- Free; voucher or Access Membership
- Accessible bays
- Car Parks 3 and 5; reserve online
- Step-free routes and lifts to every level.
- Accessible toilets on all public levels and a Changing Places facility in the Beech Street cinema complex.
- Assistance dogs welcome; seats in row G of the Hall's Stalls.
- Induction loop in the Hall.
- Access Scheme for accessible booking; Access Guides online.
- Blue Badge parking is free; occasional visitors get a voucher, regular visitors join Access Membership.
- Wide bays in Car Parks 3 and 5 can be reserved online.
Bags, cloakroom and security
Only one reasonably sized handbag per person may be taken into the auditoria, and all bags are searched. The Barbican suggests nothing larger than 32 x 18 x 22 cm; larger bags and luggage go in the cloakroom, which is free (a £2 donation is invited) and open from 75 minutes before an event until 30 minutes after.
In the galleries, small backpacks must be worn on the front. Report unattended items or anything that does not feel right to a member of staff; staff can help.
- Bag rule
- One reasonably sized handbag per person
- Suggested maximum
- 32 x 18 x 22 cm
- Cloakroom
- Free; £2 donation invited
- Cloakroom hours
- 75 min before to 30 min after
Getting to the Barbican Centre: tube, train and bus
The Barbican is on Silk Street, a 4-minute walk from Barbican tube station and 7 minutes from Moorgate. Liverpool Street is an 11-minute walk, Farringdon 8 minutes and St Paul's 11.
Bus 153 stops at Silk Street, closest to the main entrance; buses 4 and 56 stop at Barbican tube station. Cycle racks are at the Beech Street car park entrances, with more on Silk Street and Golden Lane; TfL Cycle Hire docks are on Silk Street and Beech Street.
Parking at the Barbican: car parks 3, 4 and 5
The Barbican has three public car parks inside the Centre, reached from Silk Street (Car Park 3) or the Beech Street tunnel (Car Parks 4 and 5). They are open 24 hours a day, have CCTV and a 1.85 m height limit, and are always manned. The evening rate is £15 Monday to Friday from 4pm if you leave by 6am; weekends and bank holidays are £15 per calendar day. At other times standard rates apply: £8 for up to 1 hour, £11.50 for 2 hours, £15.50 for 3 hours, £18 for 4 hours and £24 for 5 hours. Arriving before 4pm means standard rates, so a 3pm arrival for a 7.30pm show is not covered by the £15 evening rate.
Pre-book through SABA, especially for weekend shows, and pay by card at the machines. There is no exit through Silk Street between 12.30am and 6am. Blue Badge holders park free: occasional visitors can take their badge to a reception desk or the Barbican Shop for a complimentary voucher, while regular visitors can join the Access Membership Scheme for automatic free entry. Wide bays in Car Parks 3 and 5 can be reserved online by 12 noon the day before, subject to availability. Take your badge to the Box Office if you need a free exit pass.
| Car park | Address | Walk | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Car Park 3 (Silk Street) | Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London EC2Y 8DS | On site, Level -1 | £15 Mon–Fri from 4pm (out by 6am); weekends/bank holidays £15 per calendar day; otherwise 1h £8, 2h £11.50, 3h £15.50, 4h £18, 5h £24 |
| Car Park 4 (Beech Street) | Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London EC2Y 8DS | On site, ground floor | £15 Mon–Fri from 4pm (out by 6am); weekends/bank holidays £15 per calendar day; otherwise 1h £8, 2h £11.50, 3h £15.50, 4h £18, 5h £24 |
| Car Park 5 (Beech Street) | Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London EC2Y 8DS | On site, ground floor | £15 Mon–Fri from 4pm (out by 6am); weekends/bank holidays £15 per calendar day; otherwise 1h £8, 2h £11.50, 3h £15.50, 4h £18, 5h £24 |
- Evening rate
- £15 Mon–Fri from 4pm, out by 6am
- Weekends and bank holidays
- £15 per calendar day
- Standard rates
- 1h £8 · 2h £11.50 · 3h £15.50 · 4h £18 · 5h £24
- Height limit
- 1.85 m
- Blue Badge
- Free; voucher or Access Membership
- Accessible bays
- Car Parks 3 and 5; reserve online
- Pre-book parking through SABA; a limited number of spaces are released each day.
- Card only at the pay-on-foot machines.
- No entrance or exit through Silk Street from 12.30am to 6am.
- Blue Badge parking is free; reserve a wide bay online by 12 noon the day before.
Contact and address
- Address
- Silk Street, London EC2Y 8DS
- Box Office
- 020 7870 2500
- Phone hours
- Mon–Fri 12 noon–5.30pm
- Ticket desk
- Level G, 10am–7.30pm daily
About the Barbican Centre
The Barbican Centre is the City of London's performing arts centre: a Brutalist complex on Silk Street with a 1,943-seat concert hall, a 1,154-seat theatre, a studio theatre, three cinemas, two art galleries and a tropical conservatory. The London Symphony Orchestra and the BBC Symphony Orchestra are based in the Hall, and the programme covers classical and contemporary music, theatre, dance, film and visual art.
It opened on 3 March 1982 as the City of London's gift to the nation, designed by Chamberlin, Powell and Bon. The wider Barbican Estate, with its towers, lake and highwalks, received Grade II listed status in 2001. The building is free to walk through, and the foyers are open without a ticket; the Conservatory is free with a timed ticket.
- Opened
- 3 March 1982
- Architect
- Chamberlin, Powell and Bon
- Listed
- Grade II, 2001
- Owner
- City of London Corporation
Photos
Photo credits
The Brutalist concrete facade of the Barbican Centre on Silk Street in London: Nachomaans · CC BY-SA 4.0
The empty Barbican Hall seen from the side of the stage, with tiered stalls and circle seating: Chris McKenna · CC BY-SA 4.0
The Barbican Centre foyer with its concrete levels, stairs and glazed walls: Bryn Holmes · CC BY-SA 2.0
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Barbican Centre: frequently asked questions
How many people does the Barbican Centre hold?
The Barbican Hall seats 1,943 people, the Barbican Theatre 1,154 and the Pit 152. Cinema 1 holds 280 and Cinemas 2 and 3 hold 153 each.
What is the Barbican Centre seating plan?
The Hall has three levels: Stalls (855), Circle (767) and Balcony (321). The Theatre has four: Stalls (679), Circle (195), Upper Circle (143) and Gallery (137). Check the seat map on your event page for the exact layout.
Which are the best seats at the Barbican?
The Stalls are closest to the stage, the Circle gives a raised, head-on view and the Balcony is highest and furthest away. In the Theatre, no seat is more than 20 metres from the stage, so even the Gallery is close.
How do I get to the Barbican Centre?
Barbican tube station is a 4-minute walk, Moorgate is 7 minutes, Farringdon 8 minutes, and Liverpool Street and St Paul's 11 minutes. Bus 153 stops at Silk Street, closest to the main entrance.
Is there parking at the Barbican Centre?
Yes. Car Parks 3, 4 and 5 are inside the Centre and open 24 hours, with a 1.85 m height limit. The evening rate is £15 Monday to Friday from 4pm if you leave by 6am; weekends and bank holidays are £15 per calendar day. At other times standard rates are 1h £8, 2h £11.50, 3h £15.50, 4h £18 and 5h £24. Pre-book through SABA.
How much is parking at the Barbican?
Monday to Friday the evening rate is £15 from 4pm if you leave by 6am. Weekends and bank holidays are £15 per calendar day. Otherwise standard rates apply: 1h £8, 2h £11.50, 3h £15.50, 4h £18, 5h £24. Blue Badge holders park free by joining Access Membership, or occasional visitors can get a voucher from reception or the Barbican Shop; wide bays can be reserved online.
What time do Barbican concerts start and finish?
Most evening concerts start at 19:30, with doors about 30 minutes before. The Barbican publishes an approximate finish time on each event page: a 19:00 LSO concert lists an approximate 9.05pm finish, and Half Six Fix concerts last 60 minutes.
What is the bag policy at the Barbican?
Only one reasonably sized handbag per person may be taken into the auditoria, and all bags are searched. Bags larger than about 32 x 18 x 22 cm must go in the free cloakroom.
Does the Barbican have a cloakroom?
Yes. The main cloakroom is on the Stalls floor, Level -1, and is free with a £2 donation invited. It opens 75 minutes before an event and closes 30 minutes after.
Is the Barbican Centre wheelchair accessible?
Yes. There are step-free routes and lifts to all levels, accessible toilets on all public levels, a Changing Places facility in the Beech Street cinema complex, and wheelchair spaces in the Hall (row U and the back row of the Circle) and the Theatre (rear Stalls and row B of the Upper Circle). The Access Scheme covers accessible booking, and Access Guides are available online.
Can I eat at the Barbican before a show?
Yes. Barbican Kitchen on Level G is open 9am to 8pm daily, the Bar & Grill on Level 1 and the Martini Bar serve pre-show food and drinks, and the foyer bars and Urban Baristas are open through the day.
What are the Barbican opening hours?
The building and foyers are open 8am to 11pm Monday to Friday, 9am to 11pm at weekends and 11am to 11pm on bank holidays. The Level G ticket desk is open 10am to 7.30pm daily.
Does the Barbican have a cinema?
Yes. Cinema 1 is on Level -2 and seats 280; Cinemas 2 and 3 are in the Beech Street building and seat 153 each. The What's On Cinema page lists films and showtimes.
Is there an art gallery at the Barbican?
Yes. The Art Gallery is on Level 3. It opens Tuesday to Wednesday 10am–6pm, Thursday to Friday 10am–8pm and Saturday to Sunday 10am–6pm, and is closed Mondays and bank holidays.
Is there a dress code at the Barbican?
For LSO concerts at the Barbican there is no dress code: the LSO says jeans and trainers are fine, and you can dress up if you like.
What time does the Barbican close?
The building and foyers close at 11pm every night. The Level G ticket desk closes at 7.30pm, and restaurant, bar and event times vary.
Is the Barbican Conservatory free?
Yes. Admission is free but timed, and tickets must be booked for a slot. Entry is on Level 3, the Conservatory opens seasonally and large bags are not allowed inside.
What is the Barbican Centre address?
Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London EC2Y 8DS. The main entrance is on Silk Street, a 4-minute walk from Barbican tube station.
Are children welcome at the Barbican?
Yes. Family Film Club runs on Saturday mornings, Parent and Baby Screenings on Saturday and Monday mornings, and the LSO gives Family Concerts. Under-10s eat free at Barbican Kitchen with an adult meal over £10, and some concerts sell under-18 tickets for £10.
Sources: Barbican architecture: our building (November 11, 2026) · Barbican venues and official London hall pages (November 11, 2026) · Barbican Hall and Theatre venue hire (November 11, 2026) · Official Barbican getting here (November 11, 2026) · Official Barbican car parking (November 11, 2026) · Official Barbican eat and drink (November 11, 2026) · Official Barbican opening hours (November 11, 2026) · Official Barbican accessible facilities (November 11, 2026) · Official Barbican cloakrooms (November 11, 2026) · Official Barbican contact (November 11, 2026)
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