The Caravan Club was a gay and lesbian-friendly club in the basement of 81 Endell Street, London, that was the subject of a sensational court case in 1934. Following a police raid, the club's owners were accused of "exhibiting to the view of any person willing to pay for admission lewd and scandalous performances".
- Venue
- The Caravan Club (Endell Street)
- Town
- London, GB
The Caravan Club was a gay and lesbian-friendly club in the basement of 81 Endell Street, London, that was the subject of a sensational court case in 1934. Following a police raid, the club's owners were accused of "exhibiting to the view of any person willing to pay for admission lewd and scandalous performances". The Caravan Club was one of a number of similar venues in London's West End in the inter-war years. The club opened on 14 July 1934. It advertised itself as "London's Greatest Bohemian Rendezvous said to be the most unconventional spot in town" - a code phrase for being gay-friendly - and promised "All night gaiety" and "Dancing to Charlie". The Caravan Club was run by Jack Neave (or Neaves) (aged 48) of Robert Street, London NW, known as "Iron Foot Jack" as he wore a metal device on his boot to lengthen his right leg, and was frequented by both gay men and lesbian women. Neave had previously run the Jamset and the Cosmopolitan (Wardour Street) in the early 1930s and was a former escapologist and "strongman", later described in court as a phrenologist. There was also a criminal element and the club was financed by William (Billy) Joseph Clifford Reynolds (aged 24) of Crowndale Road, London NW, who it later emerged had four criminal convictions. It was claimed that Reynolds had received an inheritance of £300 from his grandfather which enabled him to finance the club. Neave paid a rent of £300 to take the premises, a large sum in 1934, but it was justified by the success of the venture. The club registered 445 members within its first six weeks, and was visited by 2004 people. Admission was 1s for members, or 1s 6d on the door. According to the account of a policeman, the walls and ceilings were decorated with material featuring stars and dragons and the entertainment included a man stripped to the waist who passed burning papers over his upper body. Sexual contact between men was accepted. The club came to the attention of the police almost immediately. T