Barbican Centre

The Barbican Centre is a major performing arts venue in the City of London, built as a gift to the nation and opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1982. It houses a concert hall that is home to the London Symphony Orchestra and the BBC Symphony Orchestra, and since 2013 has again hosted the Royal Shakespeare Company. The complex also includes a library, three restaurants, and a conservatory, all set within the striking brutalist architecture of the Barbican Estate. Visitors can enjoy classical and contemporary music concerts, theatre performances, film screenings, and art exhibitions across multiple spaces. The centre is a member of the Global Cultural Districts Network and, together with the Southbank Centre, is celebrated for its distinctive brutalist design. Whether attending a concert, exploring the conservatory, or dining in one of its restaurants, there is something for everyone.