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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tramway

25 Albert Drive, Glasgow South Side G41 2PE

Tramway is an international art-space that commissions, produces and presents contemporary arts projects.

Theatres

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!

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

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