Barbican Centre Hall Concert Venue
Current and Future Shows
No current informationBuying Tickets Online
General information about tickets for this venue. For tickets to specific shows, click on 'Show Now On / Coming Soon' above.
www.barbican.org.uk, run by the venue itself, provide the service for this theatre. A brilliant box office system lets you select the actual seat you require from those available.
Booking fees per ticket:
Online is cheaper than booking by phone. A mere £3 per transaction, not per ticket, fee applies.
Other Online Choices (with genuine S.T.A.R ticket agencies):
For some productions, some STAR members may offer seats.
Ticket agencies offer an alternative way to buy tickets, with booking fees differing from those charged by the theatre box office itself. They may have seats available or special offers when theatres do not.
LOVEtheatre charge around 10% booking fee per ticket. They are owned by Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG) and often have good deals on shows at ATG venues.
See Tickets charge around 10% booking fee per ticket, plus £2.75 per booking (not per ticket) postal charge. They are owned by ticketing group Eventim.
Ticketmaster charge around 8% to 10% booking fee per ticket. Handling fees may also be added. This is the largest ticketing agency worldwide.
TodayTix charge between 10% and 20% booking fee per ticket. Discounts are often available as this is a large global ticketing company with this specific aim.
London Theatre Direct charge between 10% and 25% booking fee per ticket. Discounts are frequently available. Part of Trafalgar Theatre Group, known for customer service and unique offers.
Venue Box Office
Telephone: 020 7638 8891. Operated by the venue's own phone room.
Booking fees per ticket for telephone bookings:
Online is cheaper than booking by phone. By telephone, a £4 administration fee is added to the total TRANSACTION cost for telephone bookings.
For personal callers or by post:
Box Office, Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London. EC2Y 8DS
No booking fee for personal callers.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS BOX OFFICE NO LONGER ACCEPTS CASH PAYMENTS.
Postal applicants pay a per transaction fee for use of a Barbican envelope, or can include their own, with stamp and pay nothing.
Special Access Needs Customers:
Wheelchair users and other registered disabled theatregoers can book their seats and enquire about concessionary prices that may be available to them on 0207 638 8891.
www.barbican.org.uk is the official venue website.
General Information
Theatres use "dynamic pricing." Seat prices change according to demand for a particular performance. Prices below were compiled as booking originally opened. Current prices are advised at time of enquiry.
Based on paying FULL PRICE (no discount!) for tickets, site writers and contributing guests have ALSO created the colour-coded plans for "value for money," considering factors like views, comfort and value-for-money compared with other same-priced seats available.
For a full discussion, opinions, reviews, notes, tips, hints and advice on all the seats in this theatre, click on "BEST SEAT ADVICE" (on the left of your screen).
On the plans below:
Seats in GREEN many feel may offer either noticeable value, or something to compensate for a problem; for example, being a well-priced restricted view ticket. Any seats coloured LIGHT GREEN are sold at "premium" prices because the show producer thinks they are the best. The monkey says "you are only getting what you pay for" but uses this colour to highlight the ones it feels best at the price, and help everybody else find equally good seats nearby at lower prices.
Seats in WHITE, many feel, provided about what they pay for. Generally unremarkable.
Seats in RED are coloured to draw attention. Not necessarily to be avoided - maybe nothing specific is wrong with them, other than opinions that there are better seats at the same price. Other times there may be something to consider before buying – perhaps overpricing, obstructed views, less comfort etc.
Please remember that cheaper seats often do not offer the same view / location quality as top price ones, and that ticket prices are designed to reflect this difference.
By value for money:
Additional Notes
The Dress Circle is called the CIRCLE in this auditorium.
The Upper Circle is called the BALCONY in this auditorium.
Please note: The seating plans are not accurate representations of the auditorium. While we try to ensure they are as close to the actual theatre plan as possible we cannot guarantee they are a true representation. Customers with specific requirements are advised to discuss these with the theatre prior to booking to avoid any confusion.
Please remember that cheaper seats often do not offer the same view / location quality as top price ones, and that ticket prices are designed to reflect this difference.
Stalls
Five rows of seats are in front of the stage, flat on the ground.
The rest of the stalls is divided into a central and two side blocks on raised steps. The central block faces the stage, the side blocks are at shallow angles to the centre block, focussed on the stage.
Good in all seats, best in row G with nothing in front of it.
Row C at a lower price than the rest of the stalls offer best value, followed by rows D and E felt the monkey, but you do have to look up.
In the rest of the stalls, you pay for the angle you view the stage from. Frankly, the cheapest seats are best value here though paying for central row G does give you a super view and legroom.
Those seats with a restricted view are a bargain when at orchestral concerts, as it matters not a jot - take these seats as a bargain. For soloist performances, these seats are a bargain if seeing the performer all the time is unimportant.
Wheelchair spaces are at the rear of the two side blocks. The view and sound are excellent.
The view of the stage is restricted in row G seats 4 to 7 and 71 to 74, H 3 to 6 and 72 to 75, J 2 to 5 and 73 to 76, and K 2 to 5 and 73 to 76. This is due to the angle of the seats preventing viewing of one third of the recessed stage.
There can be underlying noise of wood vibrating during loud passages of music.
None reported.
"Rows B and C: I agree about the stalls Rows B and C normally, but the other night we were at an ENO concert performance and there is no doubt that we were too close to the soloists. Such concerts are rare but when the front of the platform is heavily populated I recommend D and E."
"Rows B and C: tend to be lower priced as they are too close to the stage and so the view is not as good. From Row D backwards the view is much better and they are better in value."
"G 31: "Music Of Bond Concert" (December 2018). If you have long legs then row G is the one for you. It is the sixth row of floor seating(after which the rows start to rake), but between rows F and G there is a walkway. You can therefore stretch your legs out as far as you like as the seats in front are a few feet away. I did wonder if, being next to a walkway, the view would be constantly obscured due to people popping out, but no-one did; although with the concert I attended being in two halves of just under an hour each, it was easier for patrons to keep their bladders in check during the performance.
Seat 31 was fairly central and offered a very good view of the stage. The fact that the row in front is further away also reduces the risk of the dreaded ‘stuck behind a really tall person and obscured view’ experience."
Dress Circle
Called the Circle in this auditorium.
This is split into central and two side sections by aisles. Central section faces the stage, the other two are angled towards centre stage.
Good in all seats.
The centre block offers the best views, the side blocks better value for money. Allow your pocket to decide.
None reported.
None reported.
None.
Upper Circle
Called the Balcony in this auditorium.
This is split into central and two side sections by aisles. Central section faces the stage, the other two are angled towards centre stage.
Good in all seats.
In the centre section, Theatremonkey likes row D. This row has a wide ledge behind it which is handy for storing stuff not stowed in the cloakrooms. The view is clear, if distant from the stage, and sound is good too. Normally these seats are well priced offering great value for money. Choose these if the front stalls are more expensive or unavailable.
The side blocks offer good bottom price value in rows A to D seats 13 to 25 and 60 to 72.
Beyond these seats the viewing angle is poorer for the same money though sound is not affected. Just take the named seats first.
Safety rails in front of the aisles affect views from aisle seats.
Wide front wall may mean having to lean over to see the front of the stage from row A.
None reported.
"Row A: will always be a restricted view unless you lean forward to look over the edge. The seats adjacent to the two aisles are likely to have safety bars partly obstructing view."
"Row D: We tried seats in the balcony in the middle of row D on Theatremonkey's recommendation but I would disagree they are good value. They are too far away from the stage and also the brass section of the LSO sounded almost tinny from up there. There are baffles on the ceiling which felt a bit low; this may account for the poor sound quality. Not a good experience for my very musical partner or for me." (The monkey notes that it recommends these because they are cheap, and feels price is in proportion to sound)."
Notes
Total 2026 seats.
Air-conditioned auditorium.
Sennheiser radio network. Dogsitting facility. Adapted toilets available. Easy access through centre for wheelchairs from car park. Wheelchair users get free parking in centre.
Wheelchair users and other registered disabled theatregoers can book their seats on 020 7638 8891 and enquire about concessionary prices that may be available to them. The wheelchair users line connects directly to the venue box office in London. Wheelchair hire bookings on 020 7382 7021.
Bar, Restaurant, Café and Toilet facilities shared with the rest of the complex.
In 2025, a reader says, "“I find facilities at the Barbican woeful - you have to go 2 floors down to the stalls and then out of the theatre and down more stairs to get to the ladies and even with a quick exit and a lift ride down the queue was still substantial when we got there (far worse by the time we left!) I do like the shop though and bought a rather lovely colouring book!” The monkey always goes up to the Art Gallery level and uses the toilets there - no line and cleaner.
Reader Reviews
8, 11, 22B, 25, 26, 56, 133, 141, 214, to Barbican / Moorgate. Follow yellow lines from Barbican, or directions above from Moorgate. Be aware that no buses stop outside the centre or close to it.
Worth booking in advance. Hail one if you can by walking to Moorgate - chances are low.
Two choices; Barbican - Circle Line (yellow), Hammersmith and City (light purple), Metropolitan (dark purple). Theatremonkey prefers Moorgate - Circle Line (yellow), Hammersmith and City (light purple), Metropolitan (dark purple) and Northern (black).
Two choices; Barbican - Circle Line (yellow), Hammersmith and City (light purple), Metropolitan (dark purple). Theatremonkey prefers Moorgate - Circle Line (yellow), Hammersmith and City (light purple), Metropolitan (dark purple) and Northern (black).
From Barbican, follow the yellow line to the centre along walkways. Alternatively, cross the road from the station and walk the length of Beech Street (the one which is covered with the concrete roof. Cross to the right side when you can - you will see the car park entrances for the Barbican Centre (second car park as you walk from the station - first one is the residents' one). You can either nip through the car park (not particularly recommended as it is fairly awkward to navigate) or walk to the end of Beech Street. Cromwell Tower is to your right. Walk through its forecourt to the music shop next to it, and use the steep steps down to the pavement. Alternatively stay on the pavement and follow its wall around to your right, into Silk Street. Either way, the Barbican Silk Street entrance is ahead of you on your right.
From Moorgate the walk is slightly longer, at street level, for the adventurous. This monkey's route is to exit the station on Moorfields. It prefers the "West Side" exit. If you can use this one too (take the left hand exit), you will emerge facing a road, with a building opposite to the right. This building houses the British Red Cross Society. Turn to your right and cross the road to it....pause a moment.
If you came out of the "East Side" exit of Moorgate Underground Station, you too will have a road in front of you, with shops on the far side of the road. Ignore them and look to your left, and keep going until you come to the building houses the British Red Cross Society. Meet your friends here, and continue together to the Barbican Centre by one of two routes:
STREET:
Continuing along past the building houses the British Red Cross Society until you come to the end of the street. There are no signs telling you, but you have come to "Ropemaker Street". Turn left into it, and walk along. You pass a pedestrian area on the left containing strange metal pyramids. Wonder at them as you pass. Keep going until you see ahead of you on a wall (across a roadway) a "Corporation Of London" Crest and signage. To the right of that is a tiny "Moor Lane" sign. Good news, you are in the right area!
Cross the road to this set of signs. Turn to your left and walk on passing a loading bay area. Just past this, is the turning into Silk Street. This is on your right. Take it and cross to the other side of the road.
VIA PIAZZA:
Instead of going along past the building houses the British Red Cross Society, take the walking area slope between it and "Tenter House." Follow the walkway forwards and bear left, passing through an open piazza then a narrower space with restaurants on either side. At the end of it, you will be on Moor Lane. Look to the right, where there is a small roundabout. Cross the road and turn right to walk to that. Then turn to your left into Silk Street.
BOTH CONTINUE HERE, AT SILK STREET:
Continue down it, passing blank walls with car park vents in them, to the Barbican Centre main entrance at the end of the road where it curves round. The centre is on the right, under the canopy with the statues on it. Careful the adjacent stage door and car park access ramps!
Ignore the curved entrance. Instead turn down the slope to the left immediately in front of it. Keep going, and the entrance to the centre is through the set of doors on the left at the bottom of the slope.
Within the centre. Make careful note of the car park number and bay numbers before leaving or you will probably still be searching for your car until next year. Also note the public foot exits from the car park to the centre are hard to find and narrow. This feature amuses theatremonkey as it seems the builders were embarrassed about having a car park linked to their nice arts centre. Strange.
