The Britannia Panopticon Music Hall

The Britannia Music Hall (The Panopticon) located at the end of Argyle Street in Glasgow's Trongate is the oldest surviving music hall in the world!

About The Britannia Panopticon Music Hall

	113-117 Trongate, Glasgow City Centre G1 5HD
	01415530840
	The Britannia Panopticon Music Hall Website
	Facebook information can be found here
	Follow britpanopticon on Instagram

Listed Under Attractions - Theatres / Attractions - History and Culture / Attractions - Live Music Venues

Built in 1857 by Thomas Gildard and H. M. McFarlane, it has hosted some of the biggest names on the Music hall circuit.

In 1906 Stan Laurel made his first stage appearance there on amateur night. In that same year A. E. Pickard bought the building and changed its name to the Panopticon. He also undertook some major works, installing a freak show, a roof top carnival and a waxworks. He also excavated the basement and installed an indoor zoo.

The Panopticon was one of the first buildings in Glasgow become powered by electricity and one of the first cinemas in Scotland. It closed in 1938 when it was sold to a tailors and converted to a workshop. It is currently being conserved by a trust who regularly perform traditional shows in the auditorium. It is now protected as a category A listed building.

We take every opportunity to ensure the details for The Britannia Panopticon Music Hall are accurate, if any of the above information is incorrect we would appreciate if you could take a minute to suggest an edit.

All information (whether in text or photographs) is supplied in good faith but should not be relied upon as being a statement of representation or fact.

Want to be the first to hear about what's happening in Glasgow? Just hit 'Like' on our What's On Glasgow Facebook page, join the What's On Scotland Facebook Group or Instagram accounts and you're all set!

Upcoming Events at The Britannia Panopticon Music Hall

Comedy

The Panopticon Comedy Club

9th January 2026

The Britannia Panopticon Music Hall, Glasgow City Centre

Catch a phenomenal night of comedy with a dazzling array of acts including comedy singers who get the crowd involved and a well-known headliner at the Britannia Panopticon!

Days Out

Tea and Tarot

10th January 2026

The Britannia Panopticon Music Hall, Glasgow City Centre

Join the Britannia Panopticon for an enchanting afternoon featuring personalised tarot readings, spiritual treasures, and a delightful spread of teas!

Burns Night

Burns Night at the Panopticon

24th January 2026

The Britannia Panopticon Music Hall, Glasgow City Centre

Join the Britannia Panopticon on Saturday 24th January for an evening of comedy, music and whisky as they celebrate Scotland's favourite poet - Robert Burns!

Theatres

The Tower Digital Arts Centre

79-81 Sinclair Street, Helensburgh G84 8TG

The Tower is a not for profit Indy Cinema and Community Arts hub based in the town of Helensburgh!

Theatres

Glee Club Glasgow

11 Renfrew Street, Glasgow City Centre G2 3AB

Comedy in Glasgow has a rich history, and Glee Club are proud to bring our newest venue to such a vibrant city!

Theatres

Centre for Contemporary Arts Glasgow

350 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow City Centre G2 3JD

The CCA is a unique contemporary arts organisation at the heart of Glasgow's city centre and vibrant cultural community.

Theatres

The Savings Bank

67 Bridge Street, Glasgow South Side G5 9JB

The Savings Bank is a spectacular independent venue in the immediate south of Glasgow.

Theatres

The OVO Hydro

Scottish Event Campus Exhibition Way, Glasgow West End G3 8YW

Find out what's on at The OVO Hydro in Glasgow and book your tickets online with What's On Glasgow!

Theatres

Fort Theatre

Fort Theatre Kenmure Avenue, Bishopbriggs G64 2DW

The Fort Theatre is home to the Antonine Theatre Group who perform at least two full-length plays and a pantomime per season. Cabaret nights are also a regular feature in the theatre group's calendar.

Theatres

SEC Centre

Scottish Event Campus Exhibition Way, Glasgow West End G3 8YW

Find out what's on at the SEC Centre Glasgow and book your tickets online with What's On Glasgow!

Theatres

The Mitchell Library and Theatre

The Mitchell Library North Street, Glasgow City Centre G3 7DN

The Mitchell Library is one of Europe's largest public libraries with over one million items of stock and is the hub of a city-wide information service, it's also home to the Mitchell Theatre!

Theatres

Tramway

25 Albert Drive, Glasgow South Side G41 2PE

Tramway is an international art-space that commissions, produces and presents contemporary arts projects.

Theatres

City Halls

City Halls Candleriggs, Glasgow City Centre G1 1NQ

City Halls, Glasgow's oldest purpose built performance space, has been entertaining visitors since 1841 and is renowned throughout the world for having some of the finest acoustics!

Theatres

Websters Theatre

416 Great Western Road, Glasgow West End G4 9HZ

Websters Glasgow is a performing arts theatre, bar and restaurant situated in Glasgow's West End occupying the building of the 19th century former Lansdowne Parish Church.

Theatres

Citizens Theatre

119 Gorbals Street, Glasgow South Side G5 9DS

The Citizens Theatre is an iconic venue and theatre company in the Gorbals area of Glasgow, creating ground-breaking theatre productions and empowering participatory projects.

All Theatres listings in Glasgow