O2 ABC

O2 ABC, a brilliant nightclub (especially on a Thursday, JELLYBABY!!) and music venue on Sauchiehall Street, was first built in 1875, it then became one of the first buildings in Glasgow to have electricity fitted in 1888.  In May 1896 the building held Glasgow’s first public film showing, and this was just the beginning of the going’s on at the O2 ABC.  Next, the building was converted to the Hippodrome and then played host to Hengler’s Circus from 1904-1927, where films were showed out of season.  A rebuild took place and another name change, to Waldorf Palais Dance Hall, occurred.  Which was to change AGAIN, in 1929, when the building now became known as the regal.  Several more ownership and name changes took place before the building was named the ABC.  The cinema closed down in 1999 and it was not until June 2005 that the building was transformed into what it is today, by Regular Music, when it went under a massive 2 million pound conversion and reopened with a concert from Roddy Frame and The Trashcan Sinatras. 

The final name change took place in 2009 when the Academy Music Group took a majority stake in the venue and renamed the venue the O2 ABC.  (More of a name extension)

Today the building is made up of two venues, ABC1 and ABC2, as well as 5 bars.  ABC1, ABC2, The Polar Bar, The Red Room and The Pod Bar. 

 

ABC1 is the main venue with a capacity of 1250 and is located on the second floor of the building. As well as regular performances from big stars like Tinie Tempah and Adele, there are the regular club nights, Jellybaby on a Thursday, propaganda on a Friday and regular DJ, Gerry Lyons, takes over on a Saturday.

 ABC2 is much smaller than ABC1 with a capacity of 350.  This venue suits bands doing more ‘cosy’ intimate performances.  ABC2 has several club nights, Rubbermensch is held on a Thursday with resident DJ Andy Wilson and then on Saturday it all goes Electro & House with DJ David Sinclair.

All in all it's an awesome venue, I have yet to attend a gig there but have been to several club nights and would highly recommend them., so check out the official O2 ABC website and get yourself some tickets for a gig, club night or both. :)

Tinie Tempah at ABC1, :D