Leaflet: Barbican Restaurants by Barbican CentreBarbican Centre
Banqueting at the Barbican
Food and drink has always been central to an evening out at the Barbican, and our Archive gives a glimpse into the fine dining on offer at the Centre in the 1980s.
Dining in the foyers (1982) by Peter BloomfieldBarbican Centre
Eighties Entrées
During the Barbican's opening celebrations in 1982, the Centre was filled with long banquet tables to host all the guests.
Dining in the Conservatory (1982) by Peter BloomfieldBarbican Centre
Dining at the Barbican (1982) by Peter BloomfieldBarbican Centre
Dining in the Foyers (1982) by Peter BloomfieldBarbican Centre
Dining in the Foyers (1982) by Peter BloomfieldBarbican Centre
Dining in the Foyers (1982) by Peter BloomfieldBarbican Centre
In the Archive we have a collection of menus which show the kind of food that was fashionable in the 1980s.
The Cut Above Restaurant (1982) by Peter BloomfieldBarbican Centre
The Cut Above, a carvery, was the main restaurant at the time. Nowadays it's the Barbican Brasserie.
The Cut Above Menu The Cut Above Menu by Barbican CentreBarbican Centre
Fish terrine and duck liver parfait were popular dishes at the time - along with melon for starters
The carvery also boasted a cold cuts table
and bread and butter pudding for dessert.
The Cut Above Menu The Cut Above Menu by Barbican CentreBarbican Centre
Plus the option of an after-dinner cigar, which you could smoke at your table.
The Cut Above Menu by Barbican CentreBarbican Centre
One item on the menu is called a 'Slimmers Salad' and it features endives, melon and quark
plus more terrine, of course.
The Cut Above Restaurant (1982) by Peter BloomfieldBarbican Centre
The Barbican also offered catering - and still does - for events taking place in its various venues.
Barbican Centre: Garden Room Menu Barbican Centre: Garden Room Menu by Barbican CentreBarbican Centre
These catering menus from 1985 have more classic dishes of the era. This one designed for the Garden Room features chicken mayonnaise with pineapple.
You can browse more of the menus from 1985 below:
The Cut Above Restaurant (1982) by Peter BloomfieldBarbican Centre
Dining at the Barbican
Eating and drinking at the Barbican now is quite different. If you're visiting the Centre, have a look at what our restaurants and bars are like today.
Eating and drinking at the Barbican now is quite different. If you're visiting the Barbican, have a look at our restaurants and bars today.
