Gossips
ABOUT
Gossips (formerly Billys) was a basement club at 69 Dean Street known for its influential goth nights, most famously The Batcave, which opened in July 1982. The Batcave was the "birthplace of the Southern English goth subculture". It featured a dark, cobweb-strewn decor, a coffin-shaped entrance, and played new wave, glam rock, and then increasingly gothic rock. The club operated seven nights a week with different subcultures each night.
SIGNIFICANCE
The Batcave was foundational to goth fashion and music, with regulars including Nick Cave, Robert Smith (The Cure), Siouxsie Sioux, Steven Severin, and members of Bauhaus and Marc Almond. Bands like Specimen (the house band), Alien Sex Fiend, and Sex Gang Children were central to its scene. The Batcave itself had a relatively short lifespan at its original Dean Street location (around five months), later moving to various venues. Gossips club itself operated for over two decades, hosting various club nights including Gaz's Rockin' Blues, and finally closed in 2009.
MUSIC & CHARACTER
SOURCES
Details compiled from public sources. Run this venue? Get in touch to confirm or correct the listing.
No sources have been added yet.
QUICK FACTS
LOCATION
RELATED BARS
Helgi's
London, United Kingdom
Hope and Anchor
London, United Kingdom
Imperial Palace of Big Red
London, United Kingdom
Jazz Cafe
London, United Kingdom
The Rock Garden
London, United Kingdom
The Clarendon Hotel
London, United Kingdom
EXPLORE LONDON
Rock Bars in London: The Complete Guide
London shaped rock history from the Rolling Stones to Iron Maiden. This comprehensive guide covers every essential rock bar, from legendary 1960s R&B clubs to modern metal sanctuaries.
READ GUIDE →Punk Bars: The World's Best Punk Rock Venues & Dive Bars
Punk rock was born in specific rooms—basements, converted porn theaters, and abandoned warehouses. This guide maps the legendary punk venues across New York, London, LA, and beyond.
READ GUIDE →Legendary Closed Venues: A Pilgrimage Guide
The greatest rock venues often fall to gentrification, rent disputes, or changing times. This guide helps you visit the sites where punk was born, grunge exploded, and rock history was written.
READ GUIDE →PLAYED HERE?
We're collecting stories and photos from musicians and regulars who know Gossips