The gig venue guide: Barrowland Ballroom, Glasgow

Capacity: 2,100

Who plays there: The famous Barrowlands maybe isn't quite as busy with bookings as it once was, with competition stiff from the similarly-sized, corporate-sponsored ABC and Academy venues, but the best bands know this dusty old 1960s ballroom is a must-play, given the chance. Think mid-sized indie and rock touring bands in the main, often of a certain vintage and/or high critical cache – the likes of My Bloody Valentine, Arcade Fire and Pixies have all played within the last year. Oasis and Metallica are just two among many bands to have described it as one of their favourite venues in the world. Bowie even visited the Barrowland back in 1997, taking a fallen ceramic star from the ceiling away with him as a souvenir. Oh, and Stiff Little Fingers play every St Patrick's Day.

Cloakroom: Yes.

Admission: Anything from £15 to £30.

Bar: Not the best – it's Tennents, Belhaven Best and Guinness on draught at around £4 a pint at both the Barrowlands 2 bar downstairs and the main venue bar upstairs. There's usually a cans-only bar operating in the back left corner of the venue, typically stocking just one type of low-quality lager (usually Carlsberg). But you probably didn't come for the drink.

Food: There's a hot food stall doing questionable-looking burgers and hot dogs etc, though it's not recommended unless you're starving.

Toilets: Downstairs only, but they're very big and queues don't tend to be too bad except at chucking-out time.

Wheelchair access: Yes – there's a raised platform along the back wall for wheelchair users (surely one of the best views in the house).

Sound: Excellent. The low, shallowly arched ceiling funnels sound front and centre, and with the venue's single level and compact dimensions, you're never too far away from the speaker stacks.

Where to stand: The room is roughly square, with a slight step around the outer rim. There are few places to avoid standing save for behind the pillars that line the sides of the room. Dead centre is probably the ideal spot, and it's usually not too hard to edge your way in even at sold-out shows (they don't seem to over-sell here, unlike some competitors). If you like a bit more space, the far side of the room from which you enter can be a little less packed, and up the very back wall beside the cans bar there's normally a quiet little pocket. Be aware that the venue has a sprung floor – unbelievably good fun if you like a pogo – and when the crowd starts jumping the bedlam can ripple back pretty far into the throng. Remember there's only one exit to the main room, so leaving can be a slow squash if you fail to beat the rush.

Overall: If the Barrowlands coasts on its reputation a bit these days that's because it's one of the few venues in Britain that can afford to. As detailed above, when it comes to acoustics and sightlines and other simply functional matters, this place is as good as it gets for a venue of its size. Which is to say nothing of the charged, charming and just plain special atmosphere of a historic old space which has probably barely changed a bit since you first went there, and possesses bags of integrity to match its quality. Put simply, it's the venue you and your favourite bands both deserve in which to commune. A walk up the Gallowgate – takeaways, pawnshops and Celtic pubs ahoy – can feel a bit dicey on occasion, but it's all part of the Barrowlands experience, as that iconic neon sign glows into view and you know you're in for a night to remember.

Address: 244 Gallowgate, Glasgow, G4 OTS

Telephone: 0141 552 4601

Website: glasgow-barrowland.com

Public transport: 15 minutes' walk from St Enoch Subway and 10 minutes' walk from Argyle Street and High Street train stations. The 2, 60, 60A, 61, 240 and 255 buses all stop nearby.