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
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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.

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Upcoming Events at The Britannia Panopticon Music Hall

Shopping

Halloween Hideaway Market

18th October 2025

The Britannia Panopticon Music Hall, Glasgow City Centre

Expect traders selling jewellery, crystals, incense, candles, bath products, spooky homeware, sweet treat and much much more when the Halloween Hideaway Market comes to the Britannia Panopticon!

Halloween

Ghost Stories

24th October 2025

The Britannia Panopticon Music Hall, Glasgow City Centre

For one night only, don't miss a spooktacular evening of ghostly tales, haunting melodies and otherworldly encounters at the world's oldest and most haunted music hall, the Britannia Panopticon!

Theatre

Rocky Horror Picture Show Shadowcast with the Denton Deviants

25th October 2025

The Britannia Panopticon Music Hall, Glasgow City Centre

Scotland's Rocky Horror shadowcast, and the only active Shadowcast in the UK, the Denton Deviants are bringing the Timewarp to the world's oldest surviving music hall!

Film

The Unholy Three: Silent Movie With Live Music

29th October 2025

The Britannia Panopticon Music Hall, Glasgow City Centre

For Halloween season Gladstone's Bag presents Tod Browning's silent feature film 'The Unholy Three' alongside a live musical orchestra at the world's oldest and probably most haunted music hall!

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