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
	Follow britpanopticon on Twitter
	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 and 'Follow' on our @WhatsOnGlasgow Twitter or Instagram accounts and you're all set!

Upcoming Events at The Britannia Panopticon Music Hall

Christmas

Victorian Christmas

6th December 2025

The Britannia Panopticon Music Hall, Glasgow City Centre

This Christmas enjoy a cup of hot chocolate, browse beautiful vintage-inspired jewellery & gifts, enjoy live music, silent film screenings, or even have your fortune told at the Britannia Panopticon!

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

Glasgow Film Theatre

12 Rose Street, Glasgow City Centre G3 6RB

What began as a single screen cinema over 80 years ago has become Scotland’s most diverse and best publicly attended independent cinema, and home to the award-winning Glasgow Film Festival.

Theatres

The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall

2 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow City Centre G2 3NY

The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall is one of Scotland's most prestigious venues and world renowned classical, jazz, pop, rock and folk artists take to its stages for nearly 250 performances each year!

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

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

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

Scottish Mask and Puppet Centre

8-10 Balcarres Avenue, Glasgow West End G12 0QF

Based in the West End of Glasgow, the Scottish Mask and Puppet Centre comprises a theatre (80 seats), museum and education unit.

Theatres

Theatre Royal Glasgow

282 Hope Street, Glasgow City Centre G2 3QA

Theatre Royal Glasgow is home to Scotland's resident companies, Scottish Opera and Scottish Ballet, featuring a Victorian auditorium, Theatre Royal presents first class entertainment for all!

Theatres

Platform Glasgow

1000 Westerhouse Road, Glasgow East End G34 9JW

Platform is the arts centre at the heart of The Bridge, located in Easterhouse, offering a year-round programme of cutting edge performance, music, visual arts and participation.

Theatres

Queens Park Arena

Queens Park Langside Road, Glasgow South Side G42

Queen's Park Arena is a unique urban outdoor destination in the heart of Glasgow's Southside. The venue can accommodate many types of events from small community events to headlining acts!

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

Oran Mor

Oran Mor Byres Road, Glasgow West End G12 8QX

Formerly Kelvinside Parish Church, Òran Mór, Gaelic for 'great melody of life' or 'big song', is a thriving arts & entertainment venue in the heart of Glasgow's West End!

All Theatres listings in Glasgow