O2 ABC, Glasgow
The night club and music venue on Samchiehall Street was built in 1875, but it had to go through many incarnations since to attain its present state. It was first known as the Diorama in 1875. Ten years later it was renamed Panorama. What justified the name change is not clear. In 1885 it was transformed into Hubners Ice Skating Palace.
Three years after the incarnation as an ice palace it became one of the first buildings in Glasgow to have electricity. That must have helped with the ice. Next it was circus time, and the new name was the Hippodrome, home to Hengler's Circus.
When the circus was out of town the building was a cinema. In 1927 it realized its true purpose, it became a dancehall. In 1879 It returned to being a cinema but with four screens. Finally the cinema closed in 1999 only to reopen in 2002 as O2 ABC. It became a night club for three events during the week and a venue for live music performances.
In June 2018 the building was heavily damaged by fire that had spread from the Glasgow School of Art, next door. A warrant application has been made to the City Council to demolish the building. Looking forward to the next incarnation. Go Glasgow!
Three years after the incarnation as an ice palace it became one of the first buildings in Glasgow to have electricity. That must have helped with the ice. Next it was circus time, and the new name was the Hippodrome, home to Hengler's Circus.
When the circus was out of town the building was a cinema. In 1927 it realized its true purpose, it became a dancehall. In 1879 It returned to being a cinema but with four screens. Finally the cinema closed in 1999 only to reopen in 2002 as O2 ABC. It became a night club for three events during the week and a venue for live music performances.
In June 2018 the building was heavily damaged by fire that had spread from the Glasgow School of Art, next door. A warrant application has been made to the City Council to demolish the building. Looking forward to the next incarnation. Go Glasgow!
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Glasgow. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
O2 ABC on Map
Sight Name: O2 ABC
Sight Location: Glasgow, Scotland (See walking tours in Glasgow)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Sight Location: Glasgow, Scotland (See walking tours in Glasgow)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Walking Tours in Glasgow, Scotland
Create Your Own Walk in Glasgow
Creating your own self-guided walk in Glasgow is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Glasgow Music Spots Walking Tour
For decades, Glasgow has been renowned as a stomping ground for both young and seasoned music bands. The variety of spots – from snug, unpretentious cubbyholes catering for small intimate gigs to huge arenas hosting the biggest names in business – are as an integral part of Glasgow's evolutionizing music scene as its musicians. And while Glaswegian accents have dominated international... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles
Historical Churches
The feeling of serenity and being free from stress and worries is quite precious these days. And where better to find this than inside a church? Glasgow is home to a number of great churches that are notable for their architectural design, mostly in the Gothic style.
One of the city's most iconic ecclesiastical landmarks and a stunning example of Gothic architecture is Saint Mungo's... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
One of the city's most iconic ecclesiastical landmarks and a stunning example of Gothic architecture is Saint Mungo's... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
Glasgow West End Walking Tour
Glasgow is a home to a great number of historic, cultural and architectural landmarks, the lion's share of which are found in the West End. The adjectives applicable to this part of Glasgow speak volumes: cosmopolitan, multi-cultured, bohemian, intellectual, grand, leafy, confident, tolerant, and trendy. Indeed all of them are true, especially given that inside the area there are several... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Glasgow Introduction Walking Tour
The largest city and seaport in Scotland, Glasgow is also one of the country's most popular tourist destinations. Famed for its 19th-century Victorian and Art Nouveau architecture, numerous musical events, football matches, traditional pubs, and food venues, this place is truly unique.
The area of Glasgow in Scotland's western Lowlands has been inhabited for millennia, with the River... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.8 Km or 2.4 Miles
The area of Glasgow in Scotland's western Lowlands has been inhabited for millennia, with the River... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.8 Km or 2.4 Miles