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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!

The Britannia Panopticon Music Hall

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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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.

Upcoming Events at The Britannia Panopticon Music Hall

Orochi - Silent Movies With Live Music

3rd September 2025

Gladstone's Bag presents the 1925 Japanese silent classic Orochi complete with live music featuring traditional Japanese instruments at the Britannia Panopticon on Wednesday 3rd September!

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Ghost Stories

24th October 2025

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!

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Sponsored Links

East Renfrewshire Culture
Children's Classic Concerts
City Of Glasgow Chorus
Hilton Glasgow
Glasgow Grosvenor Hotel
Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust
City Sightseeing Glasgow
Fayre Play
Link
King Pins
Open Pass Scotland
Glasgow City Council
Hostelworld
ATG

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