The Roxy was an iconic nightclub located in Covent Garden, London, United Kingdom, renowned for its pivotal role in the early British punk scene. Established in late 1976, The Roxy originally occupied the premises of Chaguaramas, a reggae club, at 41-43 Neal Street. Under the management of Andy Czezowski and promoter Susan Carrington, it opened its doors as The Roxy in January 1977, quickly becoming the epicenter of the UK’s burgeoning punk movement.

The club’s atmosphere was gritty and stripped back, providing an authentic and raw environment where punk music and its associated subculture could flourish. The Roxy is often credited with offering one of the very first dedicated spaces for punk artists and fans to connect, making it historically significant in shaping the trajectory of British music and youth counter-culture in the late 1970s. Although The Roxy’s original incarnation was short-lived—closing within its first year—the impact it had was profound.

Over time, the venue underwent several changes in name and function, operating as various other clubs and bars, but none matched the influence of its punk heyday. Its walls bore witness to the formation of a movement that, decades later, continues to affect music, fashion, and attitudes globally. Notable artists who performed at The Roxy include The Clash, The Damned, Siouxsie and the Banshees, X-Ray Spex, Generation X (fronted by Billy Idol), Buzzcocks, The Slits, Wire, Eater, The Jam, and international acts such as Johnny Thunders & The Heartbreakers.

Local legends like Poly Styrene and Don Letts (as a DJ) were closely associated with the venue. The Roxy’s stage also hosted early performances by bands such as The Adverts, The Boys, and Sham 69, highlighting its reputation as an essential launchpad for both immediate and lasting punk talent.