The Arches

The Arches was a performance venue located beneath Glasgow Central Station, occupying two levels within seven brick vaults under the railway lines above. The space used the industrial character of the arches themselves as the foundation for both theatrical productions and club events.

Theatre director Andy Arnold converted the abandoned railway arches into a performance space following Glasgow's European City of Culture celebration in 1991. The venue then developed into a significant cultural hub under the city for several decades.

The venue brought together theatre performances and clubbing, creating a place where people could experience both artistic shows and live music in one setting. This mix made it a gathering spot that appealed to those seeking different types of entertainment on different nights.

The venue had two separate entrances: one on Midland Street and another under Hielanman's Umbrella on Argyle Street in central Glasgow. Being located underground meant the space had a distinctive confined feeling, and visitors needed to navigate stairs and passages beneath street level.

The facility operated as a non-profit organization for many years, making it accessible for people interested in theatre and music. A significant public effort to keep it open demonstrated how valued this underground venue had become for the local community.

Location: Glasgow City

Inception: 1991

Official opening: 1991

Website: http://thearches.co.uk

GPS coordinates: 55.85838,-4.25876

Latest update: December 7, 2025 20:48