Southbank Centre Reviews Summary

Location & Accessibility

Pros:

• "Also very central so its easily accessible from London Waterloo station."
• "It is situated right next to the Royal Festival hall situated at the South Bank of the river Thames. Quite scenic and is easily accessible from the Waterloo station."
• "Close to public transportation, extremely clean location, very friendly people."
• "The Southbank Centre is easily reached by tube, Waterloo being the closest."
• "Being a 'stone's throw' from Charing Cross Station is a real bonus."
• "Its location makes it ideal for visiting."
• "A must-visit location in London situated in one of the nicest parts of the city: no cars and concrete jungles, just pedestrians, water, culture, art, music, everything you like about a metropolis without all the negative aspects."

Cons:

• "Number of lifts rather limited so don't come too late or you'll have to queue to get on-board!"
• "Very limited lift capacity overfilled with people, with more pushing to get in."
• "However, some lifts were not working making it a long wait at the end of the performance."
• "Access is tricky from north of the river and you will typically cross from/to Embankment tube station."
• "Looks like a great place, however we turned up during an event and the security staff had no idea what was happening."
• "Not family friendly when trying to access the venue with a buggy."
• "The disabled toilet on the ground floor isn't convenient, as it involves collecting a key from level 2."

Facilities & Services

Pros:

• "Visited the, recently refurbished, Queen Elizabeth Hall at the Southbank Centre."
• "He was treated very well by the staff, and attended to by the on site doctor."
• "Very, very friendly and helpful staff, many who I believe volunteer"
• "Couple of WORKING disabled toilets - essential if you are disabled."
• "Second time I have been here to the Royal Festival Hall at the Southbank center. Great experience and good facilities overall."
• "The members’ benefits include no booking fee, a members’ bar with happy hours, early booking and the view from the members’ bar."
• "Wheelchair friendly! Several lifts and bathrooms (with easy access)."

Cons:

• "The acoustics left something to be desired."
• "All toilets but one closed or out of action at the end of the concert when everyone needs it prior to their journey home."
• "Maybe the bar staff could advise of these rules when customers are placing orders?!"
• "The sound isn't the best as we're behind the musicians but it's a lot of fun watching each section prepare for their parts as they're coming up."
• "Seats were really comfortable but foot space was really limited."
• "Over the half the toilets being out of use."
• "Loses a star for the toilets layout being awkward and no water fountains being available or accessible during an intermission."

Food & Drink

Pros:

• "Great eclectic place full of markets with delicious ethnic food and several other things."
• "The food in the restaurant Ping Pong is absolutely beautiful!"
• "There's a good hot food market in the open forecourt behind the RFH entrance on the ground floor by the road."
• "Tons of great food options at Southbank Centre. Literally the best food I had the entire time I was in England."
• "I love the street food market its delectable and located just behind the Centre."
• "The food market behind the building offers a great variety of meals to choose from."
• "Lots of street food vendors and restaurants too. So you'll not go hungry."

Cons:

• "Bar is a bit simple, only red stripe beer on tap for £5. Better deals elsewhere..."
• "The drinks prices are going to hurt though."
• "Food choices are not that crazy, apart from the restaurant that I did not go."
• "Buffet food wasn't the best as there was only chicken drumsticks and ribs to choose from and then vegetarian option was pumpkin pie."
• "It was a shame that drinks at the bar were served in plastic."
• "Paid £8.25 for a can of coke and two plastic bottles of water!"
• "None of the food or drink outlets take cash. What is sold is really overpriced."

Atmosphere & Experience

Pros:

• "A beautiful space full of creativity and inspiration."
• "A fabulous centre for the arts on the Southbank of the Thames - there's something for everyone here from modern art to theatre to music & dance."
• "Always 5 stars, vibrant, bustling and full of stuff going on."
• "Great to see Southbank centre making art accessible for all of us."
• "one of the most significant art centres in London. the location is amazing and in the heart of London."
• "The view is gorgeous and at a certain point there is a 'beach' as well, you can go down on the sand and play with your kids when is good weather."
• "Full to the brim with activities for families including the smallest members."

Cons:

• "Very strange security state that groups of photographers can't take photos."
• "I felt bad that staff was more worried about the fact of people not making pictures than the fact of insisting audience to wear face mask."
• "One gets the sense that there's a lot of very high brow stuff that goes on that you're not invited to though!"
• "For some bizarre reason the security staff wrongfully believe they have the authority to prevent visitors from recording/taking pictures of the fountain on the terrace!!!"
• "Horrendous. Some kind of very culturally ‘excluding’ ‘festival’ was taking place on the riverside terrace."
• "It would have been more enjoyable if there had been some security and staff to attend to disruption caused by children running up and down the aisles and lack of respect by the students towards the audience viewing the ceremony."
• "We asked a few times via email if Bluey was audio described for my VI daughter. Told everytime that it would be and to collect the headphones at the front desk. When we arrived on the day, the staff had no idea."