ABC Glasgow
Encyclopedia
The O2 ABC is a nightclub
and music venue
on Sauchiehall Street
, in the centre of Glasgow
, Scotland
's largest city. The building was constructed in 1875 but was largely rebuilt in the 1920s. It had been put to a number of uses before being converted for its current purpose between 2002 and 2005. In 2009, the Academy Music Group
took a majority stake in the venue, rebranding it the O2 ABC. The venue is protected as a category C(S) listed building.
opened in November 1929 as ABC Cinemas flagship venue in Glasgow . Designed by CJ McNair, the 2,359-capacity venue was a conversion and extension of an older building, originally built as a Diorama
hall in 1875. This building had been the site of Glasgow's first public film showing, in May 1896. The most notable feature of the new cinema was the addition of a new landmark portico
entrance, which replaced two arched window bays on the façade. The auditorium was capable of seating a total of 2,359 people in the stalls and balcony. The auditorium was also unusual in that it was located upstairs above a ground level car park, an arrangement necessitated by the site's steep incline up Garnethill
.
The main building was renamed the ABC1 in October 1967, when a large brown brick extension housing a second 922-capacity screen was erected alongside, which became known as ABC2. The original ABC1 auditorium closed for subdivision into four smaller screens in 1979. The new 5-screen ABC Multiplex
opened on 13 December 1979. The 1967 ABC2 extension eventually closed on 29 October 1998 and was subsequently converted into a number of bars and restaurants. The remaining ABC1 screens finally closed their doors on 14 October 1999.
playing live, but due to health & safety issues it opened on the 10th of June 2005 instead, with a concert from Roddy Frame and the Trashcan Sinatras. In 2009, the Academy Music Group
took a majority stake in the venue, rebranding it the O2 ABC.
ABC1, on the second floor, is the main venue (ABC1) and has a capacity of 1250. Arab Strap
played their final gig there . Also in ABC1 - Resident DJ Euan Neilson hosts the club night Festival on a Friday. On Saturday, DJ Gerry Lyons mixes it up at Love Music.
Nightclub
A nightclub is an entertainment venue which usually operates late into the night...
and music venue
Music venue
A music venue is any location used for a concert or musical performance. Music venues range in size and location, from an outdoor bandshell or bandstand or a concert hall to an indoor sports stadium. Typically, different types of venues host different genres of music...
on Sauchiehall Street
Sauchiehall Street
Sauchiehall Street is one of the main shopping/business streets in the city centre of Glasgow, Scotland. Along with Buchanan Street and Argyle Street, it forms the main shopping area of Glasgow, containing the majority of Glasgow's high street and chain stores.Although commonly associated with the...
, in the centre of Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
's largest city. The building was constructed in 1875 but was largely rebuilt in the 1920s. It had been put to a number of uses before being converted for its current purpose between 2002 and 2005. In 2009, the Academy Music Group
Academy Music Group
Academy Music Group is a leading owner-operator of music venues in the United Kingdom. They operate a number of medium sized venues, the majority of which took the name Carling Academy after their sponsor Carling. Some of these academies also contain smaller venues used for less well known acts...
took a majority stake in the venue, rebranding it the O2 ABC. The venue is protected as a category C(S) listed building.
Cinema
The RegalRegal Cinemas
Regal Cinemas is a UK-based cinema chain since the early days of the cinema. In 1928, Regal Cinemas became part of Associated British Cinemas but has retained the name 'Regal Cinemas'....
opened in November 1929 as ABC Cinemas flagship venue in Glasgow . Designed by CJ McNair, the 2,359-capacity venue was a conversion and extension of an older building, originally built as a Diorama
Diorama
The word diorama can either refer to a nineteenth century mobile theatre device, or, in modern usage, a three-dimensional full-size or miniature model, sometimes enclosed in a glass showcase for a museum...
hall in 1875. This building had been the site of Glasgow's first public film showing, in May 1896. The most notable feature of the new cinema was the addition of a new landmark portico
Portico
A portico is a porch leading to the entrance of a building, or extended as a colonnade, with a roof structure over a walkway, supported by columns or enclosed by walls...
entrance, which replaced two arched window bays on the façade. The auditorium was capable of seating a total of 2,359 people in the stalls and balcony. The auditorium was also unusual in that it was located upstairs above a ground level car park, an arrangement necessitated by the site's steep incline up Garnethill
Garnethill
Garnethill is a predominantly residential area of the city of Glasgow, Scotland.-Geography:Located in the city centre, the area borders Cowcaddens to its north, Sauchiehall Street to its south, Cambridge Street to its east and the M8 motorway to its west....
.
The main building was renamed the ABC1 in October 1967, when a large brown brick extension housing a second 922-capacity screen was erected alongside, which became known as ABC2. The original ABC1 auditorium closed for subdivision into four smaller screens in 1979. The new 5-screen ABC Multiplex
Multiplex (movie theater)
A multiplex is a movie theater complex with multiple screens, typically three or more. They are usually housed in a specially designed building. Sometimes, an existing venue undergoes a renovation where the existing auditoriums are split into smaller ones, or more auditoriums are added in an...
opened on 13 December 1979. The 1967 ABC2 extension eventually closed on 29 October 1998 and was subsequently converted into a number of bars and restaurants. The remaining ABC1 screens finally closed their doors on 14 October 1999.
Music Venue
David McBride from Regular Music had a vision and spotted a gap in the market for a music venue of this size in Glasgow. A major interior conversion project of the former ABC1 cinema building was started in 2002 and then in 2005 the fit-out completed under the successful Project Management of Thomson & Partners Thomson & Partners - Consulting Engineers, Edinburgh, also Project Managers of nearby Hallion Club and Blythswood Square Hotel. The opening night was meant to feature MogwaiMogwai
The word mogwai is the transliteration of the Cantonese word 魔怪 meaning "monster", "evil spirit", "devil" or "demon".-Mogwai/Mogui in Chinese culture:...
playing live, but due to health & safety issues it opened on the 10th of June 2005 instead, with a concert from Roddy Frame and the Trashcan Sinatras. In 2009, the Academy Music Group
Academy Music Group
Academy Music Group is a leading owner-operator of music venues in the United Kingdom. They operate a number of medium sized venues, the majority of which took the name Carling Academy after their sponsor Carling. Some of these academies also contain smaller venues used for less well known acts...
took a majority stake in the venue, rebranding it the O2 ABC.
Structure of the venue
The building comprises two venues, ABC1 and ABC2, and five bars; ABC1, ABC2, The Red Room, The Pod Bar, and The Polar Bar.ABC1
Arab Strap (band)
Arab Strap were an indie rock band from Scotland that consisted of core members Aidan Moffat and Malcolm Middleton. The band were signed to independent record label Chemikal Underground, and split in 2006...
played their final gig there . Also in ABC1 - Resident DJ Euan Neilson hosts the club night Festival on a Friday. On Saturday, DJ Gerry Lyons mixes it up at Love Music.