Raquels Ravers Reunion

One of the most notorious names in Essex clubbing history is being brought back to life for a special Raquels Ravers Reunion on Saturday 22 August 2026, organised by former Raquels barmaid, glamour model and legendary club promoter Sacha Wall.

The 12-hour day-and-night party will reunite the original old skool Raquels raving crowd for a journey back to the music, friendships and hedonistic atmosphere of the club's 1990s heyday.

Raquels in Basildon was far more than an ordinary nightclub and is steeped in Essex music history. It was loud, colourful, hedonistic and notorious - a place where Essex clubbers came together every week to dance to the new sound of house music.

Although the actual venue sadly still remains eerily derelict in Market Square, Basildon, the people and the music are what truly make the party. For those who were there, its real legacy lies in the friendships, freedom and unforgettable blurry nights shared on its dancefloor.

The reunion will celebrate those good times: the era before the Essex club scene became associated with organised crime, violence and the dark events that followed at the end of 1995.

Original Raquels resident DJ Jon Bradbury will headline proceedings, alongside a 10-strong supporting line-up including Wax Worx, Raindance resident David Minns, Love Sensations' Sean Scanlan and local DJ heroes Voca'Lee, Stan Dupp, Scott 'e' Rich & R.I.C.O, plus London's Jamesie, DJ Platinum and Mr Beatz - all joining him in spinning the music back to the club's nineties heyday.

The event will take place across two rooms at intimate underground venue Moonraker in Westcliff, Southend, with capacity strictly limited to just 300 people.

The entire 12-hour reunion will also be broadcast live on istreemradio.com , allowing former Raquels ravers who cannot attend in person - and house music fans around the world - to listen and join in the party.

Event organiser, broadcaster and former Raquels barmaid Sacha Wall said:

"Raquels was notorious, but for most of us it was also a rave culture community. It represents some of the happiest, wildest and most carefree times of many of our lives.

We want to bring everybody back together and return to the good times - before the Essex club scene became darker and it all went very wrong.

This reunion is about the music, the friendships and that incredible feeling of being united on the dancefloor.

It's been a heavy few years since the pandemic for me, and for most of us; we all need to come together to party again. So, I've dug out my old red promoter's hat and I'm putting it back on to unite us all once more. I might even have to get behind the bar again for old times' sake.

It's time to take it back - way back to 1995. Let's 'ave it, ravers!"

The event has already generated an excited response from former Raquels regulars, who have been sharing photographs, memories and stories from the club's legendary years.

Tickets are selling fast. With capacity strictly limited to 300 people, ravers are advised to book quickly to avoid missing out.