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
	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 or Instagram accounts and you're all set!

Upcoming Events at The Britannia Panopticon Music Hall

Burns Night

Burns Night at the Panopticon

24th January 2026

The Britannia Panopticon Music Hall, Glasgow City Centre

Join the Britannia Panopticon on Saturday 24th January for an evening of comedy, music and whisky as they celebrate Scotland's favourite poet - Robert Burns!

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

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

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

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

SWG3 Glasgow

100 Eastvale Place, Glasgow West End G3 8QG

SWG3 Glasgow is a non-profit, multi-disciplinary arts space in the west end of the city running an annual programme of exhibitions, band nights and events!

Theatres

Gilmorehill Theatre

9-11 University Avenue, Glasgow West End G12 8QQ

Gilmorehill Theatre G12 is run by Glasgow University and housed in a modern church conversion. In addition to the theatre the building also contains a...

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

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