Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United Kingdom Scotland Glasgow Britannia Panopticon Music Hall

Britannia Panopticon Music Hall

The world's oldest surviving music hall was also once a freakshow.

Glasgow, Scotland

Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
Balcony View   http://www.euanadamson.com/
Looking across the auditorium   http://www.euanadamson.com/
Exquisite outside structure of the Music Hall   http://www.glasgowarchitecture.co.uk/brita...
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Postcards for sale   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Display of lost/forgotten items   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  Becca McCall
  Becca McCall
  Becca McCall
  Al Goold Photo
  Al Goold Photo
  Al Goold Photo
Stage and Auditorium from Balcony   Mike H / Atlas Obscura User
Auditorium from Stage   Mike H / Atlas Obscura User
  Becca McCall
  Al Goold Photo
  rbenn250 / Atlas Obscura User
Freak Show Cards   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
113-117 Trongate   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Built in 1857 by Thomas Gildard and H. M. McFarlane, the Britannia Panopticon Music Hall hosted some of the biggest names on the Music hall circuit and quickly became famed as being the most popular place of amusement in the city. It was one of the first buildings in Glasgow powered by electricity, and the auditorium was one of the first places in Glasgow to show moving or animated pictures.

In 1906 management of the old Britannia was taken over by A.E Pickard. Inspired by the great American showman, P.T. Barnum, Pickard converted the empty attic above the auditorium into a roof top carnival, waxworks and freak show. Soon afterwards he also converted the basement of the public house on the ground floor into a zoo and renamed the building Panopticon which he took from the Greek; Pan = everything, Optika = to see, as the paying visitor could see everything from attic to basement for one admission price.

The Panopticon survived until 1938 when it was finally closed, sold to a tailor and converted into a workshop. Today the Britannia Panopticon Music Hall Trust and Friends of Britannia Panopticon are working to ensure its preservation for future generations to enjoy. As such the hall is now protected as a category A listed building and as part of the campaign the Britannia Panopticon is open to the public five days a week, with the trust regularly performing traditional shows in the auditorium.

It should also be noted that Stan Laurel made his stage debut here performing a comedy routine. The Panopticon hosts regular Laurel and Hardy evenings in his honor.

 

Related Tags

The Long Now

Know Before You Go

Britannia Panopticon Music Hall is located right in the heart of Glasgow so is very convenient for buses and trains. If you are visiting us we are easy to find as we are above Mitchell's Amusement Arcade and just east of T.J. Hughes. Remember that entrance to most of our shows is via the New Wynd, the small lane between T.J.Hughes and Mitchell's Amusement Arcade. The nearest train stations are Argyle Street and High Street, but if you don't mind a 10 minute walk, Central Station and Queen Street Station are also conveniently close by. Underground: the nearest underground station is St. Enoch. When you come out of the St Enoch Underground station onto Argyle Street, turn right and walk in a straight line towards Glasgow Cross. We are just beyond T.J.Hughes. Buses: First Bus 62, 61 & 64 stop right outside Britannia Panopticon. Car parking is also available at the St. Enoch Centre, Kings Street, Glasshouse on Glassford Street and the NCP carpark on Albion Street.

As the space is run by volunteers, highly recommend checking out the website for opening hours. Here you will also find out about performances of all varieties, both in the daytime and evenings. Unfortunately, the upper balcony is off limits due to safety reasons.

Atlas Obscura Adventures

Flavors of Scotland: Beyond the Haggis

Smoked seafood, single malt whisky, and warm hospitality.

Book Now

Community Contributors

Edited By

Miss Godzilla, hrnick, SEANETTA, Mike H...

  • Miss Godzilla
  • hrnick
  • SEANETTA
  • Mike H
  • rbenn250

Published

January 23, 2012

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Britannia_Music_Hall
  • http://www.britanniapanopticon.org
  • 'Glasgow's Lost Theatre: The Story of the Britannia Music Hall' by Judith Bowers
Britannia Panopticon Music Hall
109 Trongate
Glasgow, Scotland, G1 5HD
United Kingdom
55.857213, -4.247066
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre

Glasgow, Scotland

miles away

'Empire'

Glasgow, Scotland

miles away

The Trongate Cherub

Glasgow, Scotland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Glasgow

Glasgow

Scotland

Places 90
Stories 4

Nearby Places

Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre

Glasgow, Scotland

miles away

'Empire'

Glasgow, Scotland

miles away

The Trongate Cherub

Glasgow, Scotland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Glasgow

Glasgow

Scotland

Places 90
Stories 4

Related Places

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.