THE ROXY, 41–43 Neal St, London WC2H 9PJ
The premises were originally used as a warehouse serving the Covent Garden wholesale fruit and vegetable market.
In 1970, the space was transformed into a late-night bar called the Chaguaramas Club, owned by music producer Tony Ashfield.
Entrepreneur Andrew Czezowski, together with Susan Carrington and Barry Jones, turned the club into London’s first live punk rock venue, following an idea by Chelsea frontman Gene October. In December 1976, Czezowski organized three gigs at the Roxy, financing the project with borrowed money.
The first performance featured Generation X, followed by the Heartbreakers, then Siouxsie and the Banshees — and again Generation X.
The official gala night took place on January 1, 1977, headlined by The Clash and the Heartbreakers. The event was filmed by Julien Temple and later released as The Clash: New Year’s Day ’77.
Resident DJ Don Letts was instrumental in encouraging punks to embrace reggae at the Roxy. During its two-year run, the club hosted bands like Cock Sparrer, 999, Eater, Buzzcocks, Sex Pistols, The Slits, The Lurkers, The Vibrators, Subway Sect, Slaughter & the Dogs, The Boys, The Adverts, and UK Subs.
The anarcho-punk band Crass dedicated one of their tracks to the Roxy — “Banned from the Roxy.” They remain the only punk band that managed to get banned from performing there after a drunken debut so chaotic they could barely stand, let alone play.
By spring 1978, the club closed for good. Its hundred nights of punk mayhem carved a permanent mark into music history and left behind a legacy that still resonates today.
A blue plaque commemorating the iconic venue was unveiled on April 25th 2017, with original founders Andrew Czezowski and Susan Carrington in attendance — alongside Pamela Rooke aka Jordan, Gaye Black (The Adverts), Pauline Murray (Penetration), Tessa Pollit (The Slits), Gene October (Chelsea), and Don Letts.
