Essex is famous for many things but it’s nightlife is certainly up there. The county is home to countless pubs, bars and nightclubs – many of which are even award-winning.
But the current nightlife is quite different to that which many people may remember. Some venues have been synonymous with towns and cities even decades after they last closed their doors.
The nightlife scene has changed since the introduction of The Only Way is Essex with the cast often visiting Brentwood’s famous Sugar Hut. But we’re taking a look back at some of the most iconic nightclubs in Essex that although we no longer have, we certainly won’t forget.
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Dukes (Chelmsford)
This was one of Chelmsford’s most famous and popular nightspot for clubbers from across the county. Dukes was one of the biggest clubs in Essex after opening back in 1982 with thousands dancing and drinking at the venue each week.
Spread over two floors, punters were able to enjoy a huge dancefloor and DJ area. There would be foam nights, under-18s events and large parties too.
But the venue closed for good in 2012, marking the end of an era in Chelmsford nightlife. The site of the club is now being redeveloped into flats, but the success of arguably Essex’s most iconic party venue will live long in the memory.
Raquels (Basildon)
Those who were regular party-goers in the 1970s and 80s will have fond memories of Raquels. Back in the days of Saturday Night Fever, people would turn up to arguably Basildon’s most iconic party venue in their hundreds to enjoy discos, foam nights and much more.
The club attracted a whole host of stars from the time who would perform before mingling with all the clubbers who had turned out to see them. Keith Bonsor, who used to DJ at the club, said: “It was so disappointing to see it go.
Raquels was hugely popular in Basildon
(Image: Keith Bonsor)
“It was a hub of fun with all the stars that it brought there, it became a snooker hall after and it’s now just an empty shell. But it was so successful. We had stars coming from all the soaps, from Neighbours and from Grange Hill. And obviously Ian Beale from EastEnders – he used to come up, they all used to mingle and it was just a really fun place.”
Chicago’s (Chelmsford)
It’s hard to beat Dukes to be the most iconic nightclub in Chelmsford – but Chicago’s has given it a close run. The venue, previously on Moulsham Street, is now where Bar and Beyond sits and it was one of the city’s most-loved nightime hotspots.
What was once the Regent cinema had served as one of the biggest clubs in the city, seeing famous faces, well-known student events and popular gay nights. But when Chicago’s closed its doors in 2015, it was another landmark end of an era for Chelmsford’s nightlife.
Tots 2000 (Southend)
It was a hit with the Southend locals and one of the places to be towards the turn of the millenium. Tots 2000 was one of the coastal town’s most recognisable nightclubs and guaranteed a good night out for those who spent their evenings partying in Southend.
The venue on Lucy Road was previously known as Talk Of The South before becoming Tots, but the nightclub underwent major refurbishment in the early 2000s. In 2002 the club was given a fresh new image and was renamed Talk, and while the name Tots is no longer above the door, the building still holds the memories of the good old days.
Escape (Colchester)
In its heyday, Escape was one of the most popular nightclubs in the Colchester area. Before closing in 2011, the Copford venue had been a club for more than 40 years, however it was only in 2006 when Escape took over the reins.
As it closed just a few years later, it’s fair to say Escape lived a fairly short life as a nightclub. But that didn’t stop it attracting some of the biggest names in TV at the time with Eastenders’ Joe Swash once being spotted in attendance.
Remarkably, the Grade II-listed building has now been converted into a glamorous seven-bedroom property, leaving no visible signs of its nightclub days.
Unit 7 (Basildon)
This was a regular haunt for locals in south Essex up until very recently. Unit 7 closed with immediate effect back in February 2024 having been a staple in the Festival Leisure Park for many years.
The outside of Unit 7 nightclub at Festival Leisure Park in Basildon
People regularly attended their clubs nights, but owners blamed the cost of living crisis and the coronavirus pandemic when they closed in 2024.
Crocs (Rayleigh)
This venue remains open for people to enjoy but it’s different to how many people remembered it. Rayleigh might be a small town in Essex but it has a good reputation for nightlife with a number of pubs and a popular destination of Crocs.
The nightclub – now known as The Pink Toothbrush – was given it’s snappy name in the 1970s thanks to a nearby cage where two ‘crocodiles’ lived. Clubbers would enjoy a drink and dance alongside the reptiles for several years before they were given to Colchester Zoo.
But animal experts then had the rather awkward job of telling Crocs that their crocodiles weren’t crocs after all – they were alligators. So with the ‘crocodiles’ gone, the club underwent a huge makeover and rebrand before reopening in the 1980s as The Pink Toothbrush.