Music venues in Glasgow
Iconic music venues
Barrowland Ballroom
A Glasgow icon since 1934. Famous for its neon sign, sprung dance floor, and unbeatable sound, Barrowland has hosted legends from David Bowie to Metallica. Loved by artists and audiences alike as the UK’s best venue, it’s where unforgettable nights unfold above the Barras Market. Check out what’s on at Barrowland Ballroom.
King Tut's Wah Wah Hut
A launchpad for legends. Oasis were famously discovered here in 1993, and everyone from Blur to Lewis Capaldi has graced its stage. Intimate, electric, and always ahead of the curve – this is where Glasgow’s music story keeps evolving. Book a ticket at King Tut's and discover the next big act.
OVO Hydro
Scotland’s biggest venue and one of the top arenas in the world. Its glowing dome hosts global superstars, from Elton John and Prince to Billie Eilish and Beyoncé. With space for 14,300 fans, it’s where Glasgow goes big – loud, proud and unforgettable. Find out what’s on at OVO Hydro.
O2 Academy Glasgow
A former cinema and bingo hall, Glasgow’s O2 Academy is a music venue brimming with history. Its iconic Art Deco frontage and period features inside make for a memorable setting to watch your favourite artist. Check out what’s on at O2 Academy Glasgow.
The Garage
Club and live music venue The Garage has been rocking out on the city's most famous street for nightlife, Sauchiehall Street, since 1994. The Garage has hosted thousands of bands and artists of all genres, from Prince to One Direction to Coldplay. Visit The Garage for listings.
Cathouse Rock Club
Live music is at the heart of this legendary 350-capacity rock venue. From Anthrax to Fall Out Boy, it’s welcomed big names while continuing to support emerging talent in the rock scene. Affectionately known as "The Catty", it remains a key stop on Glasgow’s rock circuit. Visit Cathouse Rock Club for info.
Accessibility: OVO Hydro, O2 Glasgow Academy, and The Garage are all considered accessible. See each venue's website for details.
Glasgow's concert halls
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
At the heart of Glasgow’s UNESCO City of Music, this modern venue hosts everything from pop and rock to classical and folk. Opened in 1990, it’s home to the Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO) and the Celtic Connections festival. Big names, big sound, right on Buchanan Street. Find out what's on at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall.
City Halls
Praised for its excellent sound quality, City Halls is home to the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and hosts regular concerts from the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and Scottish Ensemble. Visit City Halls to see the programme.
Old Fruitmarket
Once a bustling market, now a stunning venue with vaulted ceilings, iron columns, and a buzzing atmosphere. Tucked beside City Halls, it hosts folk, jazz, pop, and club nights in a space full of character and charm. See what’s on at the Old Fruitmarket.
Accessibility: All three venues are considered accessible; find access information on their websites.
Intimate venues
The Glad Cafe
Glasgow’s answer to London's Café Oto, this southside venue champions experimental sounds. Curated by Kim Blyth – a tastemaker and one of the city’s few female programmers – it’s a warm, creative space for bold, genre-defying music. Visit The Glad Cafe to see what’s on at this southside gem.
Mono
A Merchant City original: vegan café, bar, and live music venue, sharing its roof with legendary record shop, Monorail Music. Expect everything from indie gigs to art shows, all in a relaxed, community-focused space that’s as welcoming as it is creative. Head to Mono to find out more.
Stereo
Find Stereo tucked into a Charles Rennie Mackintosh-designed building. Upstairs, it’s a vegan café-bar, downstairs it's a bold, basement venue. Stereo hosts gigs and late-night parties, with a focus on queer and alternative club culture. Check upcoming shows at Stereo.
Accessibility: The Glad Cafe and Mono are fully accessible, while Stereo is partially accessible. Find access details on their websites.
Òran Mór
A converted church in the west end, Òran Mór blends bold architecture with big nights out. If your gig’s in the upstairs auditorium, look up – you’ll be under Alasdair Gray’s celestial mural, Scotland’s largest public artwork. Downstairs, it’s all vaulted ceilings and vibrant energy. Find out more at Oran Mor.
Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA)
As the name suggests, the CCA is a hub for all things art in Glasgow, including gigs. With a diverse and experimental calendar of events, check out what’s on at CCA.
Saint Luke’s
A beautifully restored former church in the east end, Saint Luke’s is now a buzzing music and arts venue with stunning stained glass and original features. Expect everything from indie gigs to jazz and club nights, plus a friendly bar and kitchen, The Winged Ox. Visit Saint Luke’s to see what’s on.
Rum Shack
A southside favourite, The Rum Shack is a lively Caribbean-inspired bar with a versatile events space known for hosting gigs, DJs, open mic nights, and community-led music events. Find out more at Rum Shack.
The Art School
Fresh from renovation, The Art School is a creative force in Glasgow’s music scene. With two venues – The Vic Bar and Assembly Rooms – it hosts everything from cutting-edge gigs to club nights, supporting new talent and bold ideas in an accessible, inclusive space. Follow The Art School on Instagram to see what's on
Accessibility: Òran Mór, CCA, and Saint Luke's are all considered accessible. See each venue's website for details on access.
Sauchiehall Street dive bars
This stretch of Sauchiehall Street is home to two of Glasgow’s best-loved dive bars: Nice N Sleazy and Box. Expect loud gigs, local DJs, and late-night energy. These venues keep the city’s underground music scene alive and buzzing. Check out Nice N Sleazy and Box to find out what’s on.
Open-air music spots
Barras Art and Design (BAaD)
An indoor venue with an outdoorsy feel, the covered Barras Art and Design (BAaD) Courtyard hosts loads of gigs. Near to the iconic Barrowland Ballroom, it’s also the perfect spot for pre-gig drinks and dining. Head to BAaD for more info.
Galvanizers Yard (SWG3)
Once an industrial yard, now Glasgow’s biggest outdoor playground for music, art, and festivals. With space for up to 4,000 people, it hosts everything from headline gigs and club nights to the Yardworks street art festival, food markets, and summer parties. It's always buzzing with creative energy. See what's on at SWG3.
Parks
Kelvingrove Bandstand
A west end icon, restored in 2014. This outdoor stage in Kelvingrove Park hosts Summer Nights, Glasgow Mela, and community festivals in a stunning park setting.
Glasgow Green
The city’s oldest park and a legendary festival site. Glasgow Green hosts TRNSMT, World Pipe Band Championships, and major gigs.
Queen’s Park Arena
A southside amphitheatre with a packed summer programme: live music, film, workshops, and family events. Most are free or donation-based, making it a true community hub.
Bellahouston Park
A huge green space that’s hosted some of Glasgow’s biggest outdoor concerts and festivals. Home to Summer Sessions and other major gigs.
Visit parks and gardens to find out more about the city’s parks, or head to our top outdoor music events page for more info on specific events.
City clubs
SWG3
SWG3 is a warehouse complex with a cool, industrial look. It has several spaces, from the cosy Poetry Club to the large-scale Galvanizers. Known for standout gigs and club nights, head to SWG3 to see what's on.
Did you know?
SWG3 leads in green energy with BODYHEAT – a system that collects heat from visitors and reuses it to help power the venue.
Sub Club
Regularly voted amongst the best clubs in the world, Sub Club hosts some of the finest house DJs as residents at the flagship Saturday night Subculture. Check out what’s on at Sub Club.
The Berkeley Suite
Hidden in plain sight with a pawn shop sign outside, The Berkeley Suite has an art deco-style bar upstairs and a basement club downstairs. The club hosts a mixture of well-known resident DJs and some of the biggest names in the dance music scene from around the world. Get tickets at Berkeley Suite.
Visit our nightclubs page for more nights out.
Did you know that Glasgow's status as a UNESCO City of Music makes it one of 13 UNESCO sites in Scotland? In a world first, Scotland's UNESCO sites have been brought together to form a trail. Discover more about each of these 13 wonders and the UNESCO trail at Visit Scotland.
Article last updated: September 2025
