Why the Barbican is the Best Place to Live in London

The Barbican Centre is a performing arts centre in the Barbican Estate of the City of London, England, and the largest of its kind in Europe. The centre hosts classical and contemporary music concerts, theatre performances, film screenings and art exhibitions. It also houses a library, three restaurants, and a conservatory. The Barbican Centre is a member of the Global Cultural Districts Network.

The London Symphony Orchestra and the BBC Symphony Orchestra are based in the centre's Concert Hall. In 2013, it again became the London-based venue of the Royal Shakespeare Company after its departure in 2001.

The Barbican Centre is owned, funded, and managed by the City of London Corporation. It was built as the City's gift to the nation for £161 million equivalent to £718,000,000 in 2023and was officially opened to the public by Queen Elizabeth II on 3 March 1982. The Barbican Centre is also known for its brutalist architecture.

Performance halls and facilities

Barbican Hall: capacity 1,943; home of the London Symphony Orchestra and the BBC Symphony Orchestra.
Barbican Theatre: capacity 1,156; designed exclusively by and for the Royal Shakespeare Company
The Pit: flexible 200-seat theatre venue
Barbican Art Gallery and the free new-commission gallery The Curve
Barbican Film: 3 cinema screens with seating capacities of 288, 156 and 156
Barbican Library: Public lending library with special collections in arts and music
Restaurants: 3
Conference halls: 7
Trade exhibition halls: 2

Informal performance spaces

The second-floor library is one of the five City of London libraries. It is one of the largest public libraries in London and has a separate arts library, a large music library and a children's library that regularly conducts free events. The Barbican Library houses the 'London Collection' of historical books and resources, some of which date back to the 18th century, all available on loan. The library presents regular literary events and has an art exhibition space for hire. The music library has two free practice pianos for public use.

00:00 Introduction
00:26 Cost
00:54 Barbican Hall
01:30 Art Gallery
01:54 Library
02:18 WW2