A journey into the world’s most iconic cabarets, cafés and clubs in modern art through the lens of pioneering artists.
Explore the history of cabarets, cafés and clubs in modern art across the world, from London to Paris, Mexico City, Tehran, and Ibadan. See works of art, many rarely seen in the UK, as well as life-size recreations of avant-garde spaces.
Every Thursday to Saturday night, the gallery’s recreated spaces come to life: the iconic 1920s club L’Aubette hosts live jazz music and classic cocktails are served in Vienna’s jewel-like Cabaret Fledermaus bar.
Spanning the 1880s to the 1960s, Into the Night celebrates the creative spaces where artists congregated to push the boundaries of artistic expression. The exhibition offers insight into the heady atmosphere of Berlin clubs in Weimar Germany; the energy of Harlem’s jazz scene; the vibrant context of the Mbari clubs in 1960s Nigeria; and many more.
Tickets on Thursday to Saturday evening will include live jazz music performances and access to our in-gallery bar - check out the menu in advance here.
The exhibition is curated and organised by Barbican Centre, London in collaboration with the Belvedere, Vienna.
This exhibition is also made possible through support from the Swiss Arts Council Pro Helvetia, the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany London, the Austrian Cultural Forum London, the Embassy of Mexico to the United Kingdom & AMEXCID, and a Jonathan Ruffer Curatorial Research Grant from the Art Fund.
Small children must be closely supervised at all times.
L'Aubette Live
Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening throughout Into the Night, the galleries will come to life with performance in the exhibition’s recreation of Strasbourg’s iconic L’Aubette
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New Women in the Weimar Republic
Discover the overlooked female artists in the late 1920s Germany, who captured the pulsating energy of nightclubs and the alternative lifestyles that flourished within them, as revealed in the exhibition, 'Into the Night'.
Shadow play in the Chat Noir
We take a closer look at the iconic Chat Noir cabaret in the bohemian Montmartre district of Paris, as recreated in our 'Into the Night' exhibition.
Rebuilding Vienna's Cabaret Fledermaus
From a black and white photograph to a life-size recreation in our gallery, we explore the story behind Cabaret Fledermaus and how we brought it back to life in Into the Night: Cabarets and Clubs in Modern Art.
Barbican Sessions: Mark Kavuma & Michael Shrimpling
Trumpet player Mark Kavuma and bass player Michael Shrimpling perform 'Memories of you', composed by Eubie Blake, in our exhibition Into the Night: Cabarets & Clubs in Modern Art.
Listen: Into the Night playlist
Take a listen to the newly added Into the Night playlist, on our Spotify.
School groups
A downloadable teaching resource is available for those planning to visit the exhibition.
A special school group rate is available alongside free exhibition tours which are suitable for both primary and secondary school groups. A discounted group booking applies to all school groups of 10 or more:
• Secondary and sixth form (up to age 19): £3 per student
• Students under 14 years: free
For bookings and enquiries please contact the school groups booking line:
Tel: 020 7382 7211 (Mon–Fri 10am–5pm)
Email: [email protected]
Please note, you will need to book at least two weeks in advance if you would like a free exhibition tour as part of your visit.
Visiting with your children?
Download the Into the Night: Cabarets & Clubs in Modern Art activity sheet, filled with fun activities encouraging you to get creative.
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