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

Tramway

25 Albert Drive, Glasgow South Side G41 2PE

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

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

Kings Theatre Glasgow

297 Bath Street, Glasgow City Centre G2 4JN

King's Theatre Glasgow is one of Scotland's most historic and significant theatres. Whether you're a fan of musicals, pantomimes, drama, dance or comedy it is a must-visit for any theatre lover!

Theatres

Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre

103 Trongate, Glasgow City Centre G1 5HD

Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre is one of the most popular and unique attractions in Glasgow, entertaining and enthralling its audiences for over three decades since the original opening in 1989.

Theatres

Govanhill Baths

99 Calder Street, Glasgow South Side G42 7RA

The Govanhill Baths is a community hub based in the heart of Govanhill providing free Health and Wellbeing educational workshops and classes for the local community free of charge.

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

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

Theatre 118

118 Osborne Street, Glasgow City Centre G1 5RP

Glasgow’s newest producing theatre, supporting grassroots theatre making across the city.

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

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 Social Hub Glasgow

15 Candleriggs Square, Glasgow City Centre G1 1TQ

The Social Hub is a home for next-gen students and professionals, a hotel for travellers, a coworking space for big thinkers, a playground for entrepreneurs and a city meeting place for locals!

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