York Barbican — Attraction in Great Britain

Grand! I was actually admiring the cleanliness of the place, whereas other venues are usually quite filthy. The stage was of a good quality to my ear too, spot on with the setup, accoustics, sound desk & light blokes. I went to see Van Morrison, absolutely a great group and artist there and my favourite to listen. Anyway, security was really good-professional, very quick/efficient, thorough and so on. More than I can say about the security at belladrum 2016, I've never been so disrespected. The folk by the doors and St John ambulance standing by in the middle of the main foyer out the way for presumably standard service, but nevertheless professional and actually made me feel reassured. The consumables are where a venue makes most money so was steep when compared to a corner shop of course, but I've seen true daylight robbery and I don't consider this to be so; I'm not rich and I'm not poor either, and thought I only got coke and snack bags (yes I was quiet haha) I wasn't out if pocket. The manager didn't look busy though, when I went to said bar on my way back from the rest room. Everyone was busy restocking, walking between, whatever, while the manager seemed to just stand there and within moments said "service!"-to memory, criticising the staff for their lack of timing. Maybe some are short sighted but I recognised their hard work and professionalism/etiquette, and also noticed how this guy looked. Maybe he was on his break, but damn it they were busy working hard-he could have helped or at least he could have a better attitude/approach.

If that's all I have for criticism on this venue, it's a damn good venue! Everywhere has "one of those people", or "that guy"...

Year after year, attending the snooker event at the Barbican Centre in York has become a tradition, and it never fails to deliver an exciting experience for fans of the sport. The venue is well-organized, and security measures are handled efficiently, ensuring a smooth entry process for attendees.

However, a minor inconvenience arises during the half-time interval when the queues for the toilets become notably long. This can be a slight drawback, especially when trying to make the most of the break between sessions. It would be beneficial for the venue to consider ways to alleviate this bottleneck and enhance the overall convenience for visitors.

On a positive note, the security measures in place are reassuring, contributing to a safe and enjoyable atmosphere. The Barbican Centre's commitment to maintaining a secure environment for its patrons is commendable.

One aspect that might leave some patrons with mixed feelings is the pricing of drinks. While the quality and variety of beverages are satisfactory, the prices are on the higher side, especially when considering the surrounding area. It would be beneficial for the Barbican Centre to review and possibly adjust its drink prices to better align with the expectations of its audience.

In summary, the Barbican Centre in York remains a top destination for snooker enthusiasts, providing an annual dose of thrilling matches. Addressing the toilet queues during the interval and reevaluating drink prices could further enhance the overall experience, ensuring that patrons continue to enjoy this iconic snooker...

I visited York Barbican today for a show and while the overall experience was enjoyable, there were a few accessibility issues that made things difficult.

The queues for the bars were hectic and not very accessible — there was no priority queuing or dedicated service point for disabled guests. I wasn’t able to get a hot drink, which I usually rely on to help manage my lung condition, because hot drinks aren’t allowed in the auditorium and there was no seating available in the foyer. With nowhere to sit, I couldn’t safely have a drink while waiting, and ended up sitting on the floor.

As someone with a chronic lung condition, hot drinks can help ease chest tightness, support breathing, and loosen mucus — especially in colder environments or after standing for long periods. Not being able to access something as simple as that created a barrier that could easily be avoided with more inclusive planning.

That said, the disabled toilets were clean, spacious, and easy to access, which was a big positive. Once inside the auditorium, the staff were excellent — kind, attentive, and made sure we were comfortable. Security checks on entry were smooth and professionally handled.

With a few small changes — like adding seating in the foyer and making bar queues more accessible — York Barbican could become a much more inclusive and comfortable venue...