Opening times
Don't get caught waiting outside, here are the opening times for each of our Southbank Centre venues.
The Royal Festival Hall’s Level 2 foyers are getting a refresh. From Tuesday 20 February 2024, we’re making improvements to the Level 2 foyer spaces, as we work to bring you a brand new cafe, bar, shop and Ticket Office. Thanks for your patience during the upgrades.
Throughout the refurbishment, the Queen Elizabeth Hall’s Concrete Cafe and Ticket Office are open daily from 10am. The Level 4 and Level 5 bars of the Royal Festival Hall are also offering drinks and snacks from 60 minutes before an event. The National Poetry Library, Members’ Lounge and Mandela Walk shop are open as usual.
Royal Festival Hall
Our Royal Festival Hall is open
Monday & Tuesday, 10am – 6pm**
Wednesday – Sunday, 10am – 11pm
**On evenings where there are events taking place in the Royal Festival Hall the building remains open until the end of the event.
From Tuesday 20 February 2024, we’re making improvements to the Royal Festival Hall’s Level 2 foyer spaces, as we work to bring you a brand new cafe, bar, shop and Ticket Office.
Queen Elizabeth Hall and Purcell Room
The Queen Elizabeth Hall is open every day from 10am while the Royal Festival Hall’s Level 2 foyer spaces are being refurbished.
The building closes at 6pm, except on event days, when it closes later.
Hayward Gallery
Tue – Fri, 10am – 6pm
Sat, 10am – 8pm
Sun, 10am – 6pm
Closed Mon
The gallery will be open 10am – 6pm on Monday 6 May 2024
National Poetry Library
The National Poetry Library is located on Level 5 of the Royal Festival Hall. Step-free access is available via the JCB Glass Lift. The Library is closed on Mondays, but is open
Tuesday, 12 noon – 6pm
Wednesday – Sunday, 12 noon – 8pm
Booking is optional, but if you wish to plan ahead please email
Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Garden
Located, as its name suggest, on the roof of our Queen Elizabeth Hall, our garden is open:
Wednesday – Sunday, 12pm – dusk
The Roof Garden bar & cafe is open:
Wednesday – Friday, 4pm – dusk
Saturday, Sunday and bank holidays, 12pm – dusk
Southbank Centre Food Market
Located on the Belvedere Road side of our Royal Festival Hall
Friday: 12 noon – 9pm
Saturday: 11am – 9pm
Sunday: 12 noon – 6pm (or 11am – 9pm when a Bank holiday Monday follows)
Bank holiday Mondays: 12 noon – 6pm
Archive Studio
Our Archive Studio can be found on Level 2 of our Royal Festival Hall.
The Archive Studio is closed currently, but research access is available, by appointment, on Wednesdays and Fridays. Access to the Studio is free.