Barrowland Ballroom

Biz trip to a part of the world that I very much love. Dramatic coastlines, soaring mountains, spirited cities, a flourishing foodie scene, distilleries galore, and lots and lots of rain. Scotland is amazing.

Arrived at my hotel mid-afternoon; my colleagues insisted we start my visit with Barrowland Ballroom. Glasgow is home to a vibrant music scene, and its history runs rich and deep. The building itself is considered a Mecca for music junkies and fans. Walk in the footsteps of musical greats and discover the stories of legendary performances on a tour of Glasgow's Music Mile. The intoxicating jaunt covers iconic venues such as King Tut's, dive bars where big names paid their dues, and concert halls of past and present.

Bob Dylan, David Bowie, The Clash, The Stranglers, and U2 are just a few of the seminal acts to have performed at this vaunted music hall since it first opened in 1934. Occupying a massive city center building with street-level market stalls and an iconic neon sign above, it's one of the favorite venues for seeing live bands in the city. Reportedly, the draws here for major performers -- who could easily fill stadiums -- are the Barrowlands' excellent acoustics, and small (2,100-capacity) audiences of die-hard music lovers.

The queue to the toilets is long, and the drinks at the bar are pricey, but the customer service is terrific, and they have the coolest security team that I have ever met. (As opposed to Hayden Homes Amphitheater in Bend -- their security team is full of criminals, despots, and drug addicts.)

I cannot recommend Barrowland enough. Katie is STOKED to come here next year when we visit Scotland for her bestie's sex-themed bridal shower.

Cheers, mates!!

The Barrowlands is a legendary music venue - I've seen so many amazing gigs here over the years, stood on the stage and had the pleasure of skating in it during a roller disco! That fabulous neon frontage signifies a great night ahead!

It's a reasonably large venue with capacity of 2100 yet manages to feel intimate and creates a great connection between band and audience. The acoustics are excellent and the atmosphere is rare to find elsewhere. A legacy of its original purpose as a dance hall is the sprung floor, making gigs that little bit bouncier! I quite like to perch at the sides where the little step up gives my short self a better view.

There's a full bar on one side of the hall and a bottle/can bar tucked in the back corner. There's a bar on the first floor level too with seating (there's a small stage area here too but I've never seen it used) and there's sometimes the smell of burgers on this level too (though I've yet to figure out where it's coming from...)

The venue is a little aged but that's all part of its character and charm. The ol' Barrowlands magic can't be beat.

Came here recently for the fantastic Blur gig and wanted to add a few things to my review. I'm very much still in love with the Barrowland Ballroom, nothing will ever change that. Please never take it away!

I can never remember queuing to get in here. I've arrived at gigs early for support bands and just before the main bands come on and have always just walked in to get searched. You don't get that much these days. Maybe some other establishments could take a leaf out of their book?

The bar queue is a bit of a nightmare sometimes, but I tend not to drink much at gigs so this doesn't bother me too much. The bar downstairs next to the cloakroom can sometimes be a little more quiet.

Queues for the toilets can be long but always go down fast. Don't expect the Ritz here ladies, not much has changed decor-wise in this place and that includes the toilets.

Merchandise is on this level too, with an old-skool hot food hatch next to it, The smell of fried onions always makes my mouth water.

The Barras can't be beaten for atmosphere, bands and artists agree. Glasgow crowds are the best too, obviously, so it's a match made in heaven.

This my favourite venue in Glasgow. Great venue for seeing live music.

FYI: there are a lot of stairs to get to the main hall.

If music was a religion then this would be my church!! If I could give it more stars I would, this place is my most favourite place in the whole world..

I'm a gig girl and I go to loads of gigs, but no place compares to the Barrowlands.. I've seen so many bands here.. I love it when bigger bands come to Glasgow who could fill a bigger venue but choose to do two nights here as they love playing it.. Lots of bands and singers have said it's their favourite place to play.. There is no better atmosphere at a gig than here, I love it when the crowd sings all the words and you just see the lead singer unable to hold back their smile..

So what makes it so special you might ask.. Well on arrival to the venue you are greated with the most amazing light show of signage ever.. As soon as you see this the excitement just builds and builds.. You go inside and it is run down and grungy but this adds to its appeal.. I've heard people say it needs a refurb, but I think if this happens it will lose its spark.. To be fair the toilets could do with a refurb.. But please no one touch the ballroom itself..

So you go into the ballroom and it is just perfect, as I'm small I always go to the front left as you get an excellent view, but room to move and most importantly dance.. The dance floor is sprung, so when the bouncing and jumping starts you feel like you're going to hit the roof.. The roof is something I also love all the squares and stars and most importantly the glitter ball..

If you've never been it's a must.. For a while most bands were playing at the academy but more recently bands are returning to the Barrowlands, much to my delight..

Best music venue EVER... Fact!!!!

The question is do you deserve an upgrade as well as and update. Last time I gave you 4 stars and I find myself stuck at the same spot. Now the weird thing is if you ask me my favourite music venue in Glasgow. I would tell you the Barras! So why do I struggle to give it that extra star? It's maybe the beer. It's awful in my opinion, poor options and over priced.

However it is the best music venue in Glasgow.... But Is it that good for watching a band? I'm not convinced unless your right down the front. I went to see blur recently and had a good night, but was not blown away. Was it the band or the venue?

Am I having an argument with myself? Yes I am.

Ok **** it. If it's my favourite place to see music then it must be five stars. Add in the history and the atmosphere and you have a world famous venue. The Barras. The best venue in Glasgow to see live music.

Yelp Shame strikes again - I've never reviewed the Barrowlands?! Whut!

Thankfully I was there last night, so it's nice and fresh in my mind. Glasgow's best gig venue, without a doubt. Care to challenge me? Send me a compliment to tell me where's better (or better still, write your own review and send me the link, haha).

As you walk down the Gallowgate, you'll be greeted by the most epic signage in the whole world which just adds to the excitement of whatever band you're about to see. Inside, you head up a flight of stairs to the merch, bar and loos level, and then another level up is the main ballroom for gigs. It's a really gorgeous space in a way that can't really be described - it's old, it's classic, classy and charming. There's even an attendant in the loos! The main dancefloor is bouncy which is a load of fun, although my personal preference is to stand to the right of the stage on the wee step up as then you get a great view of the stage and can see over heads.

In recent years there's also been a roller disco here on a couple of occasions, which apart from my OH&S concerns (e.g. wet floors, staff not wanting to give out water) is an experience I'll never forget.

If there's a band playing at the Barrowlands and you're even a slight fan, you better grab tickets fast or it'll sell out. You won't regret it.

Now that I've finally been back for the first time in (not saying how many years, it's embarrassing) ages for an actual gig, I had to post an update.

First, had to attend a pre gig meet n greet organised by the headliners, Halestorm. Organised to military precision (you'd expect nothing less from an American band, I expect) and ran as smooth as smooth can be. Everyone got their VIP merch, their meeting and photo opportunity with the band, who were not only super cool but genuinely happy to meet folk who admittedly paid extra for the privilege.

After being given the option to rejoin the VIP queue and get in early to be at the front - I had to trek off and meet my mate who wasn't as big a fan of Lzzy Hale as I am - we pitched up in time for the first of the two support bands. Sound was a clear as a bell no matter where we stood for both of them.

For the headline set, the sound was even more sharp. Halestorm are as professional a band as there is on the circuit at the moment, and their stage presence shows it. Somewhere like The Barras is ideal for a band that want to show off and put on a hell of a show. The lighting was impeccable, the sound crystal clear and the show was easily one of the best I've ever seen anywhere, let alone somewhere as legendary as the Barras.

Plus, you know, it's where Lzzy Hale hugged me. Twice.

We'll always have The Barras...

I love the Barras as a gig venue.

I've been to my fair share of gigs here and it's my number one venue of choice. It's basic but the sound and atmosphere is like no where else I've ever been to.

We popped in today for the Glasgow Doors Open Day and got a chance to look over the place when there were only a few people around (check out the pictures).

It was great to see the back stage area including the "green room", changing / makeup area and back stairwell (which is full of amazing old gig posters). I have to admit I thought that backstage would be impressive, considering the top acts that have appeared there over the years, but I guess the acts get the same 'down to earth' feeling as the gig goers, it's basic [outdated?] but it does the job.

As part of the doors Open Day they provided a guided tour, but we decided to do our own thing and bought the Barrowlands book which was available ahead of general release, which looks like it could be an interesting and informative read.

While I'm all too aware that the excellent atmosphere, character and heritage of this venue make it one of the best places you could possibly ever go for a gig, I do feel slightly that I got a bit of a bum deal with regards to the bands I saw here. Basement Jaxx provided a decent enough way to spend two hours, but they're hardly legends of rock, and I came to see hillbilly metal outfit Pantera when I was 16 more out of desire to witness unbridled chaos rather than for their frankly terrible music.

The half bottle of high commisioner "whisky" I supped before going in means my only real memory of that one is insulting a ticket conductor on the train afterwards. Sometimes I miss being an arsehole.