What to Expect – Barbican

Door Times

Doors to the Concert Hall typically open 30 minutes before the concert start time. Before then there is plenty of room on the Foyers and Lakeside to wait, and bars and restaurants will be open across the Centre. Your ticket will include the level and door number you should use.

Concert Programmes

Free printed programmes are always available for our concerts at the Barbican, so you can find out more about the music and performers. Stewards will hand them out on the doors as you enter. Programmes are also uploaded online 48 hours before the concert, so you can read them in advance.

Find concert programmes online

Dress Code

There is no dress code for our concerts, other than for the people on stage. Please come as you feel comfortable – jeans and trainers are perfectly acceptable, but if you would like to dress up, please do.

Taking Photos

You are welcome to take photos before or after the music, but please don’t take photos of the Orchestra during the music as this can be distracting to them and other audience members. If you’re sharing photos on social media, don’t forget to tag us. Making audio or video recordings of the music is not permitted.

Cloakroom

The Barbican Centre has a free cloakroom which is located on the Stalls floor (Level -1). Please leave any bags larger than an A4 sheet of paper here.

Toilets

Toilets, including accessible and gender-neutral facilities, are available throughout the Centre.

There are plenty of places for you to relax and replenish, from coffee and cake to wood-fired pizzas and full pre-theatre menus.

Where to eat and drink at the Barbican

Foyer Bars & Cafés

On concert days, bars and cafés are open 60 minutes prior to the performance start time on levels G and -1.

Drinks in the Hall

Please note that for most of our performances drinks are not permitted inside the Hall, with the exception of our Half Six Fix concert series.

Under-18s Tickets

Under-18s tickets are available for every LSO concert at the Barbican, and cost £5 (£6 from September 2023). Adults can purchase up to three tickets for under-18s.

Family Concerts

Our regular Family Concerts are recommended for families with children aged 7- to 12-years-old. They feature music based around a theme, presented in a fun and informative way.