What is artsdepot and what does it offer?

Updated

artsdepot is an award-winning arts centre in Barnet, London, describing itself as "a creative home for everyone." It hosts theatre, comedy, music and family shows alongside a gallery, a cafe and workshops, and welcomes around 269,000 visitors each year. It suits anyone in or visiting the Barnet area looking for a performance, a family day out, or a creative space to hire or take part in.

What you can see and do

The venue programmes across several art forms rather than specialising in one. According to its homepage, the offer includes:

  • Theatre and dance — staged work in the Pentland Theatre and Studio Theatre
  • Comedy — stand-up and comedy shows, such as Scummy Mummies: Hot Mess
  • Music — live music performances
  • Family shows — productions aimed at children and families, such as Dear Zoo and Surinderella
  • Gallery — exhibition space, including the Apthorp Gallery and Exhibition Wall
  • Cafe — cafedepot, open during building hours
  • Workshops — participatory creative sessions

The building also contains named spaces available beyond performances, including a Creation Space, Dance Space, Art Space, Drama Space and bardepot.

What's on and how to plan a visit

The homepage highlights events "in the next 7 days" and a broader "What's on" section, so the programme changes regularly — check the site before travelling for a specific show.

Opening hours listed on the homepage:

Area Hours
Building 8.30am – 8pm
Cafe 8.30am – 5pm
Box Office 9am – 5pm

Box office phone: 020 8369 5454.

For a specific production, the site lists the venue space, dates and a booking link (for example, Surinderella in the Pentland Theatre, 17–18 October 2026, and Dear Zoo, 23–27 October 2026). Use the "More info" and "Book now" links on each listing to confirm times, tickets and availability, since the homepage does not publish prices.

Who it's for

The centre positions itself as inclusive and family-friendly. The Londonist quote featured on the site calls it "one of the most inspirational and inclusive theatrical spaces a family could ever wish to visit." In practice that means:

  • Families — dedicated family theatre and a cafe for before or after a show
  • Comedy and music fans — a mixed adult programme alongside children's work
  • Local groups and artists — named creation, dance, art and drama spaces suggest room for workshops and hire; check the individual space pages for details and terms

Practical next steps

  1. Go to artsdepot.co.uk and open What's on to see the current programme.
  2. Pick a show and check its listing for venue space, dates and booking.
  3. Call the box office on 020 8369 5454 if you need to confirm details the site doesn't show, such as ticket prices or access arrangements.
  4. If you're interested in a space rather than a show, browse the individual space pages (Pentland Theatre, Studio Theatre, Creation Space and others) for capacity and use.