Hire Space
Frobisher Auditorium 1

Barbican Centre

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Frobisher Auditorium 1: modern event space with tiered seating for conferences and meetings.
  • From £4200
  • 245 Theatre
  • Barbican or Moorgate
  • From £4200
  • 245 Theatre
  • Barbican or Moorgate
Four simultaneous translation booths with dedicated technician support make this ideal for international conferences and multilingual events.
Sam Cotton
Sam Cotton

Venue Expert @ Hire Space

  • Top quality AV system with video-conferencing capability
  • Adjacent to Frobisher Rooms for syndicate spaces
  • Satellite link capability
  • Dedicated technician for sound and lighting
  • Four simultaneous translation booths
  • State-of-the-art integrated lighting system

This on-site technical support, combined with the capacity to stage video-conferencing and satellite links, offers organisers all the facilities and expertise needed to stage even the most demanding conferencing event. Frobisher Auditorium is located adjacent to the Frobisher Rooms, ensuring other syndicate and catering areas are just a short walk away. Frobisher is ideal for conferences, meetings and training days. There are four simultaneous translation booths which include the service of a fully dedicated technician. The auditorium has fully integrated stage lighting and sound rigs.

Frequently asked questions

Day hire (08:30-17:00) for Frobisher Auditorium 2 costs £5,100+VAT with a minimum catering spend of £5,000+VAT. Evening hire (17:30-23:00) is £5,100+VAT with the same £5,000+VAT minimum catering spend. An overnight hold between events costs £950+VAT.

The Frobisher Suites can accommodate 10-170 theatre style, 24-100 classroom, 16-32 boardroom, 24-96 cabaret, 50-175 reception, or 50-150 fork buffet. The Triple Room configuration seats 170 theatre style or 96 cabaret style. Cinema 1 has a total capacity of 280 in raked auditorium seating.

All Frobisher spaces include LCD projector (8000lms WUXGA resolution), built-in front projection screen, and Wi-Fi. Cinema 1 features a 34000lms 4K DLP cinema projector, PA system, 3 cabled microphones, full house lighting system, and a dedicated technician for sound and lighting. The Frobisher Auditorium has four simultaneous translation booths and fully integrated stage lighting and sound rigs.

Tenancy times include setup and de-rig within the hire period. The venue recommends allowing 1.5 hours for setup and 30 minutes for de-rig. Day hire runs 08:30-17:00 and evening hire runs 17:30-23:00. Additional hours beyond these times can be arranged by speaking with your sales contact.

The venue has two 220-capacity spaces: Cinema 1 and Auditorium 1. However, these spaces experience high demand and are frequently booked, particularly during peak periods. The venue may suggest alternative dates if your preferred date is unavailable, as flexibility with dates significantly improves booking success.

Payment must be made prior to the event taking place, with invoices forwarded to finance teams for processing. A signed contract is also required before the event can proceed. The venue's finance team handles invoice payments, and contracts must be signed and returned promptly.

All venues have mandatory minimum catering spends ranging from £1,500+VAT to £5,000+VAT depending on the space. Catering is provided by Searcys, the venue's in-house catering partner. The venue can accommodate dietary requirements including halal, vegan, and vegetarian options, or clients may be permitted to bring their own catering in specific circumstances.

The Conservatory is a tropical oasis housing exotic fish and over 1,500 species of tropical plants and trees. It currently hosts site-specific art installations which may affect event planning. Evening hire (17:30-00:00) costs £7,800+VAT with a £3,000+VAT minimum catering spend. The space accommodates 220 banquet, 180 dinner/dance, 450 reception, 180 seated buffet, or 350 fork buffet.

Additional equipment includes PA system and microphone for £111+VAT, 55" LCD screens for £175+VAT, and stages are available free of charge. The venue can provide professional bartenders and DJ stages for events. Large LED screen installations can be accommodated with advance notice, typically requiring 5-6 hours for setup.

The venue experiences high demand, particularly for popular spaces and dates. Large conference groups can block availability for multiple days (such as 3-day periods from 8th-10th September). Peak periods and preferred dates book quickly, so early enquiries and date flexibility are strongly recommended to secure your preferred space.

More about Barbican Centre

The Barbican Centre was developed in the Brutalist style of architecture. It is a performing arts centre, the largest of its kind in Europe. The Barbican Centre was built after Barbican Estate which is a housing complex situated in an area that was bombed heavily in WWII. The centre holds theatre performances, film screenings, music concerts, and art exhibitions. As well as being a world class arts venue, the Barbican Centre also boasts one it's very own tropical Conservatory, which is one of the most unusual venues in London for weddings.