Glasgow venues rank in top 10 most popular independent gig spots in the UK
Glasgow has been named the UK's leading city for independent music outside London, with three of its beloved venues earning spots in a new ranking of the most popular indie music spaces across the country.
Compiled by Betway, the list analysed Instagram and TikTok hashtag volumes, Google review scores, and annual search volumes to determine the nation's favourite independent music venues.
While London venues dominate in numbers, Glasgow stood out as the only other city with multiple entries, highlighting its rich musical heritage and thriving grassroots scene.
Topping the Scottish entries and coming in second overall is SWG3, a former industrial complex transformed into a dynamic creative hub.
With nearly 40,000 Instagram mentions and a 4.5-star average rating on Google, the venue has become a magnet for music lovers and cultural events.
It is the highest-ranking indie venue not in London and has built a reputation for supporting both international acts and homegrown talent.
Joining SWG3 in the top ten is the legendary King Tut's Wah Wah Hut, ranked sixth nationally and fourth among venues outside London.
Known for its intimate setting and rich musical history, King Tut's has been a key launchpad for Scottish artists including Biffy Clyro and Snow Patrol.
The venue enjoys over 118,000 annual Google searches and boasts a strong 4.7-star rating. With 27,300 Instagram hashtags, the venue remains a firm favourite among fans and musicians alike.
The city's third entry is the iconic Barrowland Ballroom, which secured sixth place in spots outside London and eighth in the overall ranking. Long recognised for its electric atmosphere and memorable gigs, the Barrowlands has been a cornerstone of Glasgow's live music scene for decades.
With its iconic sprung dance floor and distinctive neon signage, the venue received 11,600 Instagram hashtags, 450 TikTok hashtags, and an impressive 4.7-star Google rating.
The UK's most popular venue overall is Ronnie Scott's in London, which pulled in 1.6 million Google searches annually and garnered 47,500 Instagram tags.
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The renowned Soho jazz club is widely considered a bucket-list venue for fans and musicians alike. While its TikTok footprint is smaller, its 4.7-star rating reflects its enduring cultural appeal.
Just behind SWG3 in third place overall is The Cavern Club in Liverpool, the famed birthplace of The Beatles. With 45,000 Instagram mentions and close to a million searches a year, the club continues to hold a special place in British music history.
Leeds' Brudenell Social Club rounds out the top five, with a 4.8-star rating and 325,200 searches annually. Known for its intimate gigs and impromptu performances by major artists, it continues to enjoy a devoted following.
While London accounts for four of the top ten venues, Glasgow is the only other city with more than one entry.
Rank
Music Venue
City
Instagram hashtag volume
TikTok hashtag volume
Google review rating (out of 5)
Annual UK GSV
1
Ronnie Scotts
London
47,500
711
4.7
1,620,000
2
SWG3
Glasgow
39,700
9,653
4.5
217,200
3
The Cavern Club
Liverpool
45,000
2,747
4.4
888,000
4
Troxy
London
32,300
3,119
4.2
888,000
5
Brudenell Social Club
Leeds
20,800
397
4.8
325,200
6
King Tut's
Glasgow
27,300
59
4.7
34,800
7
Band on the Wall
Manchester
16,300
547
4.7
325,200
8
The Barrowland Ballroom
Glasgow
11,600
450
4.7
486,000
9
Cafe Oto
London
11,200
158
4.6
266,400
10
MOTH Club
London
11,400
555
4.5
325,200
Hashtags
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