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

Tour

Glasgow 850 Theatre & Entertainment Tour

Selected dates between 24th April 2025 - 30th August 2025

Glasgow City Centre

Enjoy an edifying, amusing and sensational walking tour of the entertainment and theatre history of Glasgow over the last 850 years!

Film

Laurel & Hardy Film Night

6th August 2025

The Britannia Panopticon Music Hall, Glasgow City Centre

The Britannia Panopticon Music Hall's Laurel and Hardy Movie Night returns on Wednesday 6th August with a selection of classic films!

Theatres

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!

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

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

Scottish Mask and Puppet Centre

8-10 Balcarres Avenue, Glasgow West End G12 0QF

Based in the West End of Glasgow, the Scottish Mask and Puppet Centre comprises a theatre (80 seats), museum and education unit.

Theatres

The Tower Digital Arts Centre

79-81 Sinclair Street, Helensburgh G84 8TG

The Tower is a not for profit Indy Cinema and Community Arts hub based in the town of Helensburgh!

Theatres

Fort Theatre

Fort Theatre Kenmure Avenue, Bishopbriggs G64 2DW

The Fort Theatre is home to the Antonine Theatre Group who perform at least two full-length plays and a pantomime per season. Cabaret nights are also a regular feature in the theatre group's calendar.

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

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

The Briggait

141 Bridgegate, Glasgow City Centre G1 5HZ

The Briggait is a beautiful Grade A listed building in Glasgow’s medieval quarter, the Merchant City.

Theatres

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.

Theatres

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!

Theatres