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

Kelvingrove Bandstand and Amphitheatre

Kelvingrove Park Kelvin Way, Glasgow West End G12 8NR

The Kelvingrove Bandstand and Amphitheatre offers a unique open air performance space in the idyllic grounds of Kelvingrove Park!

Theatres

Scottish Event Campus

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

Find out what's on at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) in Glasgow and book your tickets online with What's On Glasgow!

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.

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

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 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

Royal Conservatoire of Scotland

100 Renfrew Street, Glasgow City Centre G2 3DB

The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland is a world-leading conservatoire of music, drama, dance, production and film located in Glasgow City Centre.

Theatres

The Pavilion Theatre Glasgow

121 Renfield Street, Glasgow City Centre G2 3AX

The Pavilion Theatre is Glasgow's favourite variety theatre and an important part of the city's cultural scene.

Theatres

Cottiers

93-95 Hyndland Street, Glasgow West End G11 5PU

Cottiers is a historic building located in the heart of Glasgow's West end that boasts a recently renovated theatre, restaurant and bar.

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