Barrowland Ballroom, Glasgow: Address, Phone Number, Barrowland Ballroom Reviews: 4.5/5
Barrowland Ballroom
Barrowland Ballroom
4.5
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
179 reviews
Excellent
125
Very good
34
Average
9
Poor
7
Terrible
4
terrysingh
Tonbridge, UK70 contributions
Apr 2022
Saw Sparks last night and the band themselves said it was 'proper venue', better than sterile modern places. Good sound, with its curved ceiling, good ventilation.
A very enthusiastic audience having fun but not rowdy or loutish.
Barrowland is close to the city centre, free parking nearby after 6pm. Buses pass by the door, easy walk from Central Station or Hi.gh Street; Subway at St Enoch
Huge loos to deal with the crowd; at least 3 bars available; price of a pint £5 - reasonable for concert. Very efficient bar staff. First aiders on patrol.
It's up stairs but they have a stair climber and a raised seating area at the rear.
And we all took pics of the neon sign!
A very enthusiastic audience having fun but not rowdy or loutish.
Barrowland is close to the city centre, free parking nearby after 6pm. Buses pass by the door, easy walk from Central Station or Hi.gh Street; Subway at St Enoch
Huge loos to deal with the crowd; at least 3 bars available; price of a pint £5 - reasonable for concert. Very efficient bar staff. First aiders on patrol.
It's up stairs but they have a stair climber and a raised seating area at the rear.
And we all took pics of the neon sign!
Written April 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Dani
Glasgow, UK10 contributions
Oct 2021 • Solo
Incredible venue. Best venue I’ve ever been to! I’ve recently seen the Sea girls and The Lathums here and both were amazing. The bar is a bit pricey, as expected at a gig, but you can buy a warm can of Tennents for £3 as a cheaper alternative! Great venue, helpful staff
Written October 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
jessimo
Stoke-on-Trent, UK891 contributions
Dec 2021
What an awesome venue full stop. We went to see OCS in December and they didn't disappoint it was a Tuesday night and the venue was rammed. So glad i got to take in the atmosphere before they went on stage and what a night it was.
Written March 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Sophie1095
Greenock, UK92 contributions
Apr 2015 • Couples
I visited the Barrowland Ballroom for the first time on 03/04/15 with my partner to see 'Charlie & The Bhoys' - I had never heard of the group nor do I support any football team.
We arrived at 7PM and there was a line right up the full length of the venue, people were banging shutters and being extremely disruptive but nothing was done. We eventually got into the venue at approx. 7.30PM.
I do not drink however my partner does and was charged £4 for a draft cider in a plastic cup which is simply shocking.
There was a sign advising the smoking area would be open from 8.30PM however the staff did not open it until 9.40PM despite a large crowd gathering and no member of staff would give any reason as to why we were all waiitng, I went out into the smoking area for some air and my hand was stamped, the smoking area was stairs leading you out of the venue and onto the same street which we lined from but there was a barrier. The barrier had a 3ft gap and we were told when we were finished, to re-enter via the main door we came in from and leave through the gap in the barrier. I did this and when I showed my hand stamp at the main entry a larger gentleman with dark hair and a beard said 'Away you go' as I had left the barrier, I told him I was told to leave the barrier and re-enter via the main door but he advised me that was not his problem, I would not be allowed entry back in and continued to reiterate the words 'away you go', I felt totally embarrassed at the way I was treated over a lack of communication which was the fault of the staff. I went to another door and explained the situation to a younger gentleman who was very helpful in letting me back in. I find it shocking that despite my belongings being inside the venue, the larger gentleman would not allow me entry.
The toilets are absolutely atrocious, there was no hand towels, the floors were sticky, the toilets had clearly not been cleaned in a very long time.
Overall, I had one of the worst nights of my life in this venue, I felt completely unsafe, the staff were absolutely clueless and rude, the venue itself is totally horrific and needs a makeover (or a bulldozer) - the staff (particularly the larger gentleman who was on the door with dark hair, beard and a beanie hat) need urgent BASIC customer service training. I will never return.
We arrived at 7PM and there was a line right up the full length of the venue, people were banging shutters and being extremely disruptive but nothing was done. We eventually got into the venue at approx. 7.30PM.
I do not drink however my partner does and was charged £4 for a draft cider in a plastic cup which is simply shocking.
There was a sign advising the smoking area would be open from 8.30PM however the staff did not open it until 9.40PM despite a large crowd gathering and no member of staff would give any reason as to why we were all waiitng, I went out into the smoking area for some air and my hand was stamped, the smoking area was stairs leading you out of the venue and onto the same street which we lined from but there was a barrier. The barrier had a 3ft gap and we were told when we were finished, to re-enter via the main door we came in from and leave through the gap in the barrier. I did this and when I showed my hand stamp at the main entry a larger gentleman with dark hair and a beard said 'Away you go' as I had left the barrier, I told him I was told to leave the barrier and re-enter via the main door but he advised me that was not his problem, I would not be allowed entry back in and continued to reiterate the words 'away you go', I felt totally embarrassed at the way I was treated over a lack of communication which was the fault of the staff. I went to another door and explained the situation to a younger gentleman who was very helpful in letting me back in. I find it shocking that despite my belongings being inside the venue, the larger gentleman would not allow me entry.
The toilets are absolutely atrocious, there was no hand towels, the floors were sticky, the toilets had clearly not been cleaned in a very long time.
Overall, I had one of the worst nights of my life in this venue, I felt completely unsafe, the staff were absolutely clueless and rude, the venue itself is totally horrific and needs a makeover (or a bulldozer) - the staff (particularly the larger gentleman who was on the door with dark hair, beard and a beanie hat) need urgent BASIC customer service training. I will never return.
Written April 8, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Chunky38
East Kilbride, UK16 contributions
Nov 2015 • Friends
Went to see Vintage trouble so was extremely excited and checking the website of the venue it said disabled access so i thought great, Phoned to book tickets and heard the word every wheelchair user dreads and that's STAIRS!!!! and to make matters worse there is no lift...Not till 2016 anyway!!!! But i went anyway just to prove i could do it..The staff at the door were very professional at getting me upstairs but one word of cautin the toilets are on a different level from the gig so go to the loo beforehand...need to decide if i am going again.
Written November 9, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Les
10 contributions
Nov 2018 • Friends
Special thanks to the staff who made my trip to see my favourite band completely hassle free. I am on crutches and had to go to the disabled platform - fantastic view of stage but more importantly the staff were so kind especially if I had to use the toilet etc. Fantastic venue for a gig anyway but really blown over by the staff in their attempts to ensure it was a memorable experience .
Written November 8, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Hazeywazey
Edinburgh, UK644 contributions
The Barrowlands is a great venue for up and coming acts.
Good atmosphere.
Excellent acoustics.
On the whole very good.
EXCEPT IF YOU HAVE MOBILITY PROBLEMS!!!
No lift. NO LIFT!!!
Very crowded stairs which become a total nightmare when a mobility impaired person is trying to climb then (very slowly).
Staff need to be educated re the Equality Act - saying to a Disabled person that they "don't look disabled" is totally inappropriate.
Eventually got seated by the sound desk.
Good atmosphere.
Excellent acoustics.
On the whole very good.
EXCEPT IF YOU HAVE MOBILITY PROBLEMS!!!
No lift. NO LIFT!!!
Very crowded stairs which become a total nightmare when a mobility impaired person is trying to climb then (very slowly).
Staff need to be educated re the Equality Act - saying to a Disabled person that they "don't look disabled" is totally inappropriate.
Eventually got seated by the sound desk.
Written February 23, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
wynterz_xD
Bowmore, UK57 contributions
Oct 2013 • Friends
It was a good venue, easy to locate and surprised on how big it is on the inside. The facilities were good and also there was disabled access!
Written June 2, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
andy h
Doncaster, UK25 contributions
Jul 2018 • Couples
Walking up to the gig through a not so pleasant area of the city and the neon light gets you in the mood for a great night at a unique venue . Venue is cash only and a throwback to the days of my youth many years ago and all in a good way . Friendliest staff I’ve ever encountered at a gig asking if you are ok etc , tickets checked and body search done and upstairs to bar , cloakroom and toilets . Next floor up to the concert hall with its domed roof , superb acoustics and crowd up for a great night , if the band don’t deliver here it is entirely their fault and not the crowd or venue . Excellent viewing and the floor is sprung so with the acoustics you experience a vibration through the body never experienced anywhere else . Great to attend a gig where the crowd are not concentrating on drinking all the way through as well , top , top night all round .
Written August 1, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
srotideuk
North Yorkshire, UK192 contributions
Dec 2017 • Couples
Don’t even know where to start with this. Acoustics are amazing! Seriously 10/10 for sound; the views in most parts are restricted, again understandable due to the age of the venue. The untidiness, hit and miss knowledge and care level of the staff is not. The dirty old first aid curtain is never a good look.
Written December 14, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Bri
Glasgow, UK51 contributions
How early do you need to get there to get a good view / be near the front in standing. Thanks.
Bawtryscot
Sedgeford, UK380 contributions
Hi,
Depends on band and crowd.
If you are as close to the front during any support band the usual milling between bands will give you a chance to move in.
Hi I’ve got a ticket for a gig that is 18+ but only have a young Scot card as ID,it has a holographic pass on it and contains my d.o.b will it still work as I’ve lost my passport ?
Megan
Aberdeenshire, UK
Yes, Young Scot’s cats with a PASS holographic image is a valid form of ID.
Is there wifi here? :)
John B
99 contributions
It's not something I've worried about but I'm pretty sure it has
John Paul Owens
Motherwell, UK2 contributions
What time do most gigs finish at the barras?
John B
99 contributions
The upcoming SKIDS gig 21.12.18 will finish at 10.45pm
Jamessufcmad
Scunthorpe, UK1 contribution
Best place to park and what's car parking like around the venue? Thanks
DougieCFC
Stirling, UK29 contributions
On street parking is available around venue and not too further afield either. Get there early though!
Frequently Asked Questions about Barrowland Ballroom
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