Venue Description

Queen Margaret Union was founded in 1890 by women, for women. The Union started in the basement of what was the Queen Margaret College as a social club for the women who studied there. Following the equality revolution heralded by The Great War’s reliance on women at home, the Queen Margaret College was merged with the University of Glasgow. Female students began to mix with their male counterparts and the Union’s range of activities expanded – dances became popular and the Union’s reputation began to grow across campus. After several changes in venue, the Union moved to the MacIntyre Building, the former home of Glasgow University Union, then known as the Men’s Union. Debating became an increasingly prominent activity and many Union members were highly regarded by the University debating circuit. ​ As the Second World War began and the majority of male scholars went to fight, women became the dominant force on campus. In the true spirit of the Queen Margaret Union they kept the Union running throughout. Dances and debates were more important than ever before – offering a chance to discuss key issues and providing a relief from the stresses of the tense wartime atmosphere. The 1950s brought about another change on campus due to the huge numbers of men returning to finish their studies – an increase in diversity on campus gave the Union a more prominent role and strengthened the relationship between the Union and its members. ​ The Union embraced the 1960s and the still all-female membership began working on what would be a monumental change for the Union – a bigger venue was needed. The Board of Management’s ambitious plans saw the creation of a purpose-built building at 22 University Gardens. The so-called ‘New Union’ opened in 1968 and the QM remains there today, although it has changed significantly over time; when the building opened, it didn’t contain a single bar. As the ‘winds of change’ continued to sweep through the world in the 1970s, the Queen Margaret Union sought to change the culture of Glasgow’s unions. After nearly a decade of persuasion, the membership voted in favour of allowing men to join the Union in 1979. Down the hill, Glasgow University Union took a little more persuading, following suit in 1980. It was around this time when the Union’s musical identity really began to take off – music had always been paramount to the culture of the Union, but now huge bands stormed the stage and opened up new avenues of entertainment for the membership. Over the decades groups such as Queen, Nirvana, Red Hot Chili Peppers and innumerable other acts have graced the stage at the Queen Margaret Union. We offer a range of services in terms of bars , café, eateries, meeting places and our 900 capacity gig venue in Qudos for our members and their guests

Accessibility

Access at the front is via a set of stairs and we have a disabled access ramp. We always have a receptionist on duty to help and on events we have registered licence stewards on hand as well as 2 members of our student board The doors open automatically and are wide enough for all wheel chairs. All areas have doors wide enough for wheelchair access. Toilets including disabled toilets are on the ground floor as is a first aid room. And we are looking to improve these facilities For gigs we have a balcony that seats 120 and a small disabled viewing area that will take 2 wheelchair. There is a lift in the foyer to the first floor and staff will assist anyone to their seating. There is also a Goods lift that can accommodate larger wheelchairs if required.

Awards List

Currently a Gold Award Rated Venue under the Glasgow Best Bar None Awards and were nominated as Glasgow's Representative in the 2017 Scottish Awards for Innovation in social responsibility

Toilets

Information about the toilets has not been added for this venue.

Staff

Information about the staff has not been added for this venue.

Assistance dog facilities

Assistance dog exercise facilities

The nearest space for dog exercise facilities are the large grassy area in Lilybank Gardens approximately 15 yards from the building.

Other assistance dog facilities

This is something we would need to look at in terms of what we provide at this stage.