Barrowland Ballroom

Address 244 Gallowgate, Glasgow

The Barrowland Ballroom is a Glasgow institution and one of Britain's best live music venues. The standing hall — no seating, an original sprung dancefloor that moves under a crowd — creates an intimacy and intensity that larger, seated venues cannot match. Acts that fill arenas elsewhere choose to play Barrowland because of the atmosphere; it is on many musicians' list of favourite venues in the world.

The building is in the East End of Glasgow, directly opposite the Barras market. The neon-lit marquee on the Gallowgate is recognisable from a considerable distance and is listed as a building of special architectural interest. Gigs run most nights during the autumn and winter season; check listings in advance.

bars and cafes sight east end
A story
The Barrowland was built in 1934 as a dance hall by Maggie McIver — the same woman who founded the Barras market — and was Glasgow's premier ballroom for three decades before falling into decline. It was revived as a music venue in the 1980s and has since become one of the most celebrated live music venues in Britain: a standing hall with a capacity of 1,900, a sprung wooden dancefloor, and neon-lit Christmas tree signage that has appeared on more album covers than any other Scottish building.

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