ADD AN EVENT LISTING

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
Follow britpanopticon on Twitter
Facebook information can be found here

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

Drag-Opticon

Selected dates between 21st April 2023 - 1st December 2023

Drag-Opticon is the monthly live drag show at the Britannia Panopticon which showcases the best of the Glasgow Drag scene!

READ MORE

The Panopticon Comedy Club

Selected dates between 12th May 2023 - 8th December 2023

Catch a phenomenal night of comedy with a dazzling array of acts including comedy singers who get the crowd involved and a well-known headliner at the Britannia Panopticon!

READ MORE

Second Hand Rose Sale

Selected dates between 20th May 2023 - 16th December 2023

Love a good rummage? Adore a Jumble sale? Can't resist a car boot? Can't walk passed a charity shop? Then join the Britannia Panopticon for the Second Hand Rose Sale!

READ MORE

Jazzamatazz

Selected dates between 16th June 2023 - 15th December 2023

The Swell Bells and the Figaro Trio bring the finest swinging melodies from the great jazz songbook to the Britannia Panopticon Music Hall!

READ MORE

Christmas Wonderland Sale

Selected dates between 18th November 2023 - 16th December 2023

Join The Britannia Panopticon for two special Christmas Wonderland Sales, featuring the best in vintage and unique Handmade goods, on November 18th and December 16th!

READ MORE

Friday Night Fling: Festive Burlesque

29th December 2023

Join the Glasgow Festival of Burlesque at the World's oldest music hall for The Friday Night Fling, on Friday 29th December for a wee cheeky festive themed event!

READ MORE

More Theatres in Glasgow

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!

READ MORE

The Mitchell Library and Theatre

The Mitchell Library North Street, Glasgow City Centre G3 7DN

The Mitchell Library is one of Europe's largest public libraries with over one million items of stock and is the hub of a city-wide information service, it's also home to the Mitchell Theatre!

READ MORE

Glasgow Film Theatre

12 Rose Street, Glasgow City Centre G3 6RB

What began as a single screen cinema over 80 years ago has become Scotland’s most diverse and best publicly attended independent cinema, and home to the award-winning Glasgow Film Festival.

READ MORE

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!

READ MORE

The Shed

26 Langside Avenue, Glasgow South Side G41 2QS

Formerly known as The Marlborough Ballroom, The Shed is the biggest and best nightclub in the south side of Glasgow, as well as a bustling arts and entertainment venue!

READ MORE

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 and is a must-visit for any theatre lover!

READ MORE

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!

READ MORE

Tron Theatre

63 Trongate, Glasgow City Centre G1 5HB

The Tron Theatre has been a familiar landmark in Glasgow's Merchant City area for centuries and a popular cultural venue for over twenty years!

READ MORE

Centre for Contemporary Arts Glasgow

350 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow City Centre G2 3JD

The CCA is a unique contemporary arts organisation at the heart of Glasgow's city centre and vibrant cultural community.

READ MORE

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!

READ MORE

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...

READ MORE

Queens Park Arena

Queens Park Langside Road, Glasgow South Side G42

Queen's Park Arena is a unique urban outdoor destination in the heart of Glasgow's Southside. The venue can accommodate many types of events from small community events to headlining acts!

READ MORE
All Theatres listings in Glasgow

Sponsored Links

Sponsored Links

Go Radio | Number 1 for Glasgow & The West - Listen on DAB, Online or on your Smart Speaker, just say "Launch Go Radio"

Popular Events

Glasgow Winterfest
Glasgow Winterfest, the city's most anticipated winter celebration, is back with a brand new concept for 2023, set to transform George Square and St Enoch Square into enchanting wonderlands!
Oran Mor Christmas Panto: Snow White and the Seven Maws
Oran Mor's Christmas Panto is back for 2023 with Snow White and the Seven Maws... Will Snow White escape her heart being shredded and minced into next week's pies? There's only one way to find out!
Ashton Lane Hogmanay Street Party
The Ashton Lane Hogmanay Street Party is back for 2023 and it's going to be bigger and better than ever, tickets are going fast so pick up yours today!
Friday Night Fling: Festive Burlesque
Join the Glasgow Festival of Burlesque at the World's oldest music hall for The Friday Night Fling, on Friday 29th December for a wee cheeky festive themed event!
Nickelback
Nickelback's Get Rollin' World Tour rolls into Glasgow on Thursday 16th May with a show at the OVO Hydro, support comes from special guests Lottery Winners!

Popular Venues

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum King's Theatre Glasgow King Tut's Wah Wah Hut O2 Academy Glasgow SEC Armadillo Theatre Royal Glasgow The Pavilion Theatre Glasgow The Glasgow Barrowland Ballroom The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall The OVO Hydro