The Pavilion

Ayr Pavilion stands on Ayr’s Low Green beside the River Ayr. The white-painted hall was designed by James Kennedy Hunter and opened in 1911. Inside, an auditorium once held about 600 seats on wooden benches. A wide stage at the north end could be fitted with scenery flown from a metal grid above. Tall windows along the sides let in daylight during daytime events. The building’s flat roof and simple portico give it the look of an Edwardian pleasure hall. The pavilion has hosted every kind of entertainment for more than a century. During the Second World War American airmen laid a new sprung floor for dances. Opera companies restored the stage in the 1970s and 1980s, while Iron Maiden, New Order and Faith No More played rock shows. In the 1990s it became Hanger 13 nightclub until three drug-related deaths led to its closure. After years as Pirate Pete’s soft-play centre, the building will reopen in 2026 as a live music venue. Visitors now find a single large hall with a sprung floor and high ceiling. The walls still carry faded posters for past festivals and gigs. Outside, the Low Green stretches down to the riverbank with benches and mature lime trees. A paved promenade runs beside the water, offering views of Ayr’s beach and the hills across the estuary. The restored building will once again fill with concerts, opera and dance events.