Basildon's Abandoned Night Club (Essex Boys) Raquels

Raquels Basildon has been closed for almost 20 years, it was really hard to find a way in but we managed, known for its fun days out it also had its dark & hidden secrets.
☟ Social Media ☟
👫 🇫​🇦​🇨​🇪​🇧​🇴​🇴​🇰​ / thesuperpopbro
🐥 🇹​🇼​🇮​🇹​🇹​🇪​🇷​ / superpopbro
📸 🇮​🇳​🇸​🇹​🇦​🇬​🇷​🇦​🇲​ / superpopbro
If you like what you see don't be afraid to click that subscribe button, it helps!

[@BeyondthePoint]

Cool video, great insight into 80s Essex with the footage for comparison. Straight outta White Gold the tv show

[@1000WinstonSmith]

Fascinating to see where Tucker, Tate and Rolfe hung out.

[@coyr2383]

Imagine all the agg pat and tony caused in here way back in the day

[@dixienormouse1441]

“Yeah ALL THE FA##ING AGG THEY CAUSED!!”

[@AlphonseWeebay]

Imagine all the stuff tone shouldn’t av listened to

[@bigtastyforlife9367]

It went from Raquels, to Europe nightclub and then onto Rileys pool hall. So nothing like the Raquels layout. Let's not forget Buzz Bar, £1 a pint on a Thursday. Those were the days.

[@plumberj27]

Stomping grounds of the essex boys, absolutely nuts. Couldn't imagine the amount of pills popped in there back in the day.

[@peterreid4567]

I remember watching depeche mode here in 1981. It was a mad place normally a few fights every night. It was a crazy place. Also remember getting a burger or pie and mash at 3 in the morning. Those were the days.

[@CARLIN4737]

Indeed.

[@diehard21000]

Imagine the VHS showed the Essex Boys cutting deal with the people that killed them on the day they died, and all these decades later the evidence has been in abandoned raquells

[@CARLIN4737]

An old video tape under the dish washer with all the answers?

[@TheNorthernmunky]

Remember going there in the 90’s! Absolutely fascinating seeing it again. Seemed a lot less dingy back in the day

[@leeludlowart237]

Can remember Raquels from the 90s. I was there in 94. The good old days. 16 years old and still got in. It’s good to see the place because it looks untouched to me. A lot of my old haunts in Mansfield and notts have been turned into bingo halls and co ops. ☹️ god I miss the 90s. What a fkn time to be alive that was.

[@brockit79]

I’d love to hear a mix from back then…90s progressive house really hit the spot with a few cheeky H2Os etc. lol

[@michaeldavidson1795]

Did you ever run into the Essex Boys?

[@truthsearcher596]

Be interesting to see what's on those VHS tapes. Alot of people still interested in the Essex boys case. Maybe film of Tucker, Tate and Rolfe on them, along with other persons surrounding the whole case ?.

[@iansendall9368]

Ha, I thought that as soon as I saw them, could be some great captures on them 🙂

[@skitzoliver9590]

Their blank tapes i tried one

[@cherylspandley8270]

@@skitzoliver9590 Might not all be! get aload of blank tapes from somewhere, get back in there, and take original tapes.

[@matty6848]

@@skitzoliver9590 where did you get hold of a VHS player and a power supply in a abandoned nightclub😂 full of s#*t.

[@cakehead1]

Doubt you'll see anything. They didn't always work there... just they're dealers selling. They were all over the place at weekends. Tony had the door at Berwick Manor and the buzz was better there I reckon. Remember tucker turning up with two blonde stunning ladies and just enjoying themselves at the bar. Only time I ever saw them all together was when a canning town firm came down to smash the club up and c s gassed the place.... I know there was serious bad blood between heavies from canning Town and the Essex firm.

[@matty6848]

That’s a typical 1990s club like i remember back in the day. The sticky manky carpet with its pattern, the paint job and the solid colours everything just shouts out 1990s. Man what a brilliant decade the 90s was, the music, the bands, nightclubs and the fashion when you couldn’t get into a nightclub unless you had black trousers on, shoes and a shirt. Imagine trying to get into a club back then wearing trainers and a T shirt like the kids today do? Man the bouncers would laugh you down the street😂

[@TheUrbexTheory]

Thank for the comment, this was 2 years ago, I got better content now.

[@matty6848]

@@TheUrbexTheory thanks I’ll take a look👍🏼

[@Bignfluffy]

Bouncers these days are pro LGBT😂

[@jakesmith3135]

I explored raquels at the start of this year and when I went in there there was no power on in there at all but there were a lot of motion detectors that had power though

[@brendonali1288]

I think that's cause one time went past the red door you could see thru the gaps the lights were on either people was in there or left them on just bait asf tho ruined it for others

[@traceylewis4856]

I would love to go nosing round old abandoned buildings. You're living my dream life

[@cherylspandley8270]

Me too, i love to imagine, what could be done, i like to view inside; and out take photo's, i like to do small write ups. I keep saying i'd like to set up my own web page so that i can put my short stories on the web. In the last couple of years i've done a digital online stories course; and had three/four stories on Lucidpress; a drag & drop publishing site, at one point i was really good at that stuff, i need to get my mojo back; as i had started doing a bit of song writing and wanted to get into the music as well as the lyrics. A case like this would be a good starting point to further my writing.

[@aaronjohnson8654]

I used to work in this place for a few years, used to take people on the tour you have done. Saw some strange things in there!

[@robhayter484]

Like what strange things

[@Hampshire87]

Just imagine all the crazy shit that went on in there

[@DavesMonitor]

The speed in raquels was amazing feeling

[@matty6848]

All the gear was amazing back in the 90s the pills were out of this world .

[@petejones7878]

so sad so sad ...as an x Basildon boy I spent lots of time in that club , in the 1960s when it was called Mecca, and again in the 80s after i split up from my first wife , think it was on a Friday night ,when it was misnamed "grab a Granny Night"

[@LulumMm828]

Grab a granny night lol now it's grab a pig night

[@aaasss1908]

i meet my wife there of 42 year and we are still togeather

[@bubbasmoleyay9799]

This video should do well, on nostalgia alone

[@noveltybobel]

You should have nicked those video tapes and gone through them. Bet there is some interesting footage there

[@TheUrbexTheory]

This was in 2020 Long gone now, I re-visited in 2022

[@lesleyhubble2976]

I’m surprised they don’t make the space into luxury flats or somewhere for the homeless. It’s huge in there

[@CMSG1979]

Great to see people breaking the law and trespassing

[@TheUrbexTheory]

Thanks for tuning in of Civil Trespass 🙏 learn the law x

[@DanielJamesPhotography]

Sad to see. I used to play pool/snooker there when it was Riley's. Good memories!

[@louisburns167]

Shame you don't see much of the original raquels.. Mainly Rileys snooker Hall memories now

[@Sol-Cutta]

Anyone with a interest in tucker Tate and Rolf...did u see all the security camera videos ??? These kids clueless to the history and the posters on the wall in the frames ..wow imagine them on eBay with in situ photos to prove they from here In 95....damn.

[@autoshyne]

it was rileys sports and snooker place till a few years ago , , and a long time before that it was a night club early 90s

[@CARLIN4737]

Mental.Amazing the place is still standing and hasnt been burnt to the ground?

[@Sol-Cutta]

U didn't capture the honey monster ghost on Ur camera? It's said he lingers.....

[@evelovelock5946]

It was a rileys pool hall it closed a few years ago

[@johncross7345]

The stories of Lee duffy causing night club havok... Would he of done it here... Always wondered this at the same time tate etc was on the scenes

[@Makina-99]

The duffer would have done them. I wonder if them 2 had heard of lee duffy!??...

[@spoony3756]

Didn’t know you had been in here man. You should take mark back if the building isn’t demolished.

[@prattait7594]

Great video thanks for sharing! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[@leeludlowart237]

Damn you didn’t take the videos ??? I would love those vids and watch the old days again. Man that’s history take them

[@TheUrbexTheory]

This was 2020 when I went, I revisited it in 2021 and its was all gone, now in 2022 its being cleared out

[@Noizyneighbour]

I am sure I saw Yazoo here back in the day!

[@CARLIN4737]

looks untouched from the 90s. Sadly because of its history it will probably remain empty.

[@TheUrbexTheory]

The building has actually been recently boarded up so I assume it's being renovated in to something else

[@CARLIN4737]

Its going to be a job centre for ex urbexers?@@TheUrbexTheory

[@graff.life.82]

I believe raquels shut in 98. Snooker hall maybe abit later

[@cherylspandley8270]

Rileys snooker hall, we have a Riley's here in Magdalen street, Norwich, it's very popular, busy all the time, next door to a store called Roys, and on a good bus route, all buses, stop opposite, so it's a shame to see Basildons Riley's closed. It would be fantastic. I would love for something really good to come of it. I will have to make the effort to come to Basildon, take a real good look around the area,i think i'm more interested in the outside of the building; and those next door either side of Raquels; and opposite, I could imagine it being say! like a Royal academy of Dance & Drama/College Of Music & Dance, with it's own 360, seater Theatre, bespoke cafe/bars along the street. Get the street closed to traffic completely, a pool hall opposite. Live gig centre for local bands to practice, etc, etc, make the area a go to area, rather than avoid area, it could be done.

[@streetpreachtv8905]

Does anyone know who still owns the building or weather it can be rented or purchased ?

[@CARLIN4737]

Magic. My old stomping ground.

[@OLIV3R-]

When I went near here earlier today I saw that the front door was wide open Should I make a vlog in here or is it too dangerous

[@TheUrbexTheory]

Probably got homeless inside, I 100% wouldn't recommend it... I went back 5 months after making the video and its very much trashed.

[@OLIV3R-]

@@TheUrbexTheory oh ok

[@leemogranits9503]

@@TheUrbexTheory Is it dangerous or is it just cause of homeless that we shouldn't go in? Cause I thought it would be fun

[@TheUrbexTheory]

@@leemogranits9503 Research the Essex Boy, they where a "gang" in the late 80s early 90s

[@leemogranits9503]

@@TheUrbexTheory ok

[@mad-pit3832]

DONT LISTEN HIM TONE FINK OV ALL THE AGG EES CAUSED YA

[@TheUrbexTheory]

Whaaa?

[@TheSavagederek]

It's cheese ya caaant 🤣

[@jeoffbarrat1101]

What you mean you don't do 4 toppings

[@liverpoolfc9644]

@@TheSavagederek fackin caaaant🤣🤣🤣

[@billywilliamswilliams4198]

should of gone through some of them vhs tapes might be some interesting footage of the club on them

[@TheUrbexTheory]

I don't take from places, this was almost 2 years ago now so the place has been gutted out

[@captainmac5009]

Any pictures of Darren Nichols ?

[@TheUrbexTheory]

No

[@captainmac5009]

@@TheUrbexTheory lier

[@TheUrbexTheory]

@@captainmac5009 right.....

[@mscoolcat3071]

is this a recent video is the building still the same inside its very interesting great video thanks

[@emmachapman1179]

Using this to film some of the rise of the footsoldier 5

[@dontabandonmewhenimsulking9132]

Sweating like a pancake 🤦‍♀️🤣 Used to go in there when it was rileys lol

[@cemersoy-el1ns]

Wonder if the original owner of that hard hat has seen this lol

[@TheUrbexTheory]

Who knows ha ha

[@chrisjonson3820]

True about the dress code I always hated dress code never was into fashion I had the same night if I was wearing trainers and bottoms not for me getting shoes and that just for a night out but did it load of shit really.

[@Gcammo]

I wanna watch the video tapes

[@TheUrbexTheory]

Sadly all sealed up now dude.

[@TheSavagederek]

Who's this little sausage 😂😂😂

[@alanunderdown8481]

do you do tours,love to go in there,

[@TheUrbexTheory]

I don't do tours no.... I'm an urban Explorer

[@StevetheWeave.]

Sweeney's on a Thursday night and then Sunday dinner time with Jimmy Jones introducing local comedians and a couple of strippers. Raquel's on a friday night and if I remember rightly, a Monday or Tuesday night for a while as well. Not forgetting the sausage or scampi in the basket included in your entrance fee. Getting tanked up in the local bar's (The Owl & Pussycat) or The Bullseye before going in and a couple of years later on, if I had a date, I would try to impress her in the Piano Bar first. Nothing but good memories for me, from seeing a few bands & singers (The Glitter Band) to the scraps with the Laindon & Tilbury boys all the way to the Burger on the walk home

[@okaybufletmethinkaboutthat5514]

I loved going there.

[@markt5703]

just think of all the agg they caused here!

[@ifignoranceisbliss]

So many orbs around the dance floor!

[@ifignoranceisbliss]

@@TheUrbexTheory yeah thought so..haha but at the same time I imagined it was once upon a time someones happy place and decided it was ghost orbs dancing haha

[@chazzas3469]

I would think that it is Haunted a lot of the shops are!

[@AlphonseWeebay]

Yeah a lotta ghosts still partying in there

[@lisabottomley5681]

I worked here until 198

[@555paulie]

You boys are taking a chance

[@TheUrbexTheory]

A chance I am willing to take haha

[@mixtapesfrommylatepartner]

DON'T KEEP QUIET ABOUT DRUGS because it's selfish not to share

[@TerrySullivan-oj8wj]

How do you get in

[@TheUrbexTheory]

You can't anymore, this was 2020

[@skitzoliver9590]

I found one of ur cards in rachels basildon

[@skitzoliver9590]

Yeah behind the bar

[@skitzoliver9590]

It was really interesting inside basildons 1 club

[@skitzoliver9590]

@@TheUrbexTheory I didn't really touch anything just love exploring so i just documented the building and it contents

[@dego1110]

I know the man who sold her the pill he was apart of the Essex boys but was never found

[@TheSavagederek]

Did ye aye

[@joebloggs4254]

Of course you do sweet hart of course you do

[@willfraser7656]

Nobody sold her the pill in raquels , she done it at her own house at her party under her dad's supervision. She wasn't even in raquels

[@pauladder]

The vid tapes will have all 3 on them and the killer

[@TheUrbexTheory]

No longer there anymore, place has been completely trashed

[@southwashroad]

god damn im getting old

[@danlawson9634]

Raquels went on to be called Utopia but because of all the bad press surrounding the Rettendon murders and Leah Betts death it never lasted long.

[@791978]

It was called Europa with the buzz bar downstairs on the first floor fyi

[@danlawson9634]

@@791978 yeah you're right. I meant Uropa. It was Club Uropa

[@kano6117]

After europa was it called Riley’s

[@rexel666]

Crocs was better.

[@Farns77]

Carling Premiere!

[@gollings3410]

Is this Raquel's

[@gollings3410]

@@TheUrbexTheory that helps

[@stephencox9615]

I remember playing pool in there not so long ago good plce

[@Bandannahx]

Wish I could see inside for myself🥺 Was here the other day, doors and windows completely locked- can"t see a way in😥

[@LouisDeeYT]

I want to go

[@Bandannahx]

@@LouisDeeYT Me too!

[@AnotherPole]

whats the address of it? I get that its in basildon, but i cant find its exact location. If you can share that info pls tell me

[@TheUrbexTheory]

It's all under construction now, this video was recorded back in 2020

[@AnotherPole]

@@TheUrbexTheory damn, do you know if the constuction was paused? because it could be a similar story to the state cinema in grays where it was being rebuilt into a wetherspoon pub but it was paused because of covid If you'd like to talk about it more then just say and we can arange something

[@cherylspandley8270]

Do a Paranormal Investigation in there.

[@TheUrbexTheory]

All sealed up now, it's not haunted.

[@cherylspandley8270]

@@TheUrbexTheory You may be suprised, have a whole new income, people love that stuff, hold a Seance, get a Ouija Board.

[@TheUrbexTheory]

@@cherylspandley8270 Not for me Cheryl.

[@sg4l542]

I've had contact with pat Tony and Craig via my spirit box

[@cherylspandley8270]

@@sg4l542 Oh really; and what did they tell you?You should have done it live onto youtube.

[@jasonbarron3047]

Stop focusing on yourself contantly looking into the camera in the video and film the place you are exploring mate also get some information on the place and its,past connections to ganhla d crime and the death of leah betts after taking a dodgy E in the 90s do u know about the pat tate craig rolf and tony tucker murders?? You should have i cluded all this in this video... watch the first rise of the footsoldier film that will fill you in on everything and google carlton leach that place you were exploring (RAQUELS) is a massive part of the essex boys history. Seriously lads focus on the places ur exploring and find the history of them its interesting for people who dont know, apart from that not a bad video when u wasnt filming yourself haha! Good luck il sub ur channel x jase

[@TheUrbexTheory]

Okay 👌 this is an old video and to be honest this is my channel & my content, I know this isn't the best of videos and this was filmed at a time where I didn't really care how I filmed videos..... 😀

[@jasonbarron3047]

@@TheUrbexTheory sorry if i hit a nerve there kiddo it wasnt meant to upset u it was constructive critisism. I wish you every success with ur channel and your viideos bud, no nastiness or piss taki g was i.tended at all i promise u x be lucky pal xj

[@TheUrbexTheory]

@@jasonbarron3047 all good boss 👍 👌

[@jasonbarron3047]

@@TheUrbexTheory good man yourself , be lucky out there x

[@TheUrbexTheory]

You too sir

[@Leo-dr4qm]

Leah's ghost

[@stevensallsorts]

Oooooooh

[@Nobodycares22222]

theres a grow going on there

[@TheUrbexTheory]

How? Its been heavily sealed up apparently

[@Nobodycares22222]

@@TheUrbexTheory exactly to keep u out, or it could be asbestos, or theres a grow going on, just its common, happened in my town recently, abandon pub it was pretty big pug as well, it was closed down in 97 i believe i was 1 at the time, so got told this, 24 years later found out it was proper lab like grow rooms and and sorting rooms and everything, just like how that all looked in that vid, just could be out come, that club is still useful ;) nowadays everyone smokes bud anyway, became a trend ever since grime came in to proper mainstream media. 250ks was found by the police at that pub, ridiculous lol

[@LulumMm828]

Gel pens were in the 90s I'm sure x