The Boogaloo

The Boogaloo? Boogalooming brilliant!
We’d been meaning to check this place out for an absolute age, and we’re all jolly glad we made it at long last. Reasonably-​priced drinks, friendly staff, and the music was great. I think each night has a different kinda music — ours was fairly broad, pretty much anything bloody good from the 50s, 60s and 70s. Think Dolly Parton’s ‘Jolene’, Stevie Wonder’s ‘Superstition’, The Stones’ ‘Paint it Black’, and then throw in a little ‘Twist and Shout’ for good measure. You know what that gives you? A winning formula, mate, that’s what it gives you.
It got towards the end of the evening, and our little feet were beginning to ache from so much boogalooing, so we thought it might be time to make a move. «We’ll go when this song ends.» But no, wait, now they’re playing ‘La Bamba’! «Ok, one more song, then we’ll go.» Seriously, now you’re playing ‘Tutti Frutti’?! «Fine, we’ll leave after this one.»
In the end, the husband had to remove himself from the building mid-​song and wait for us outside because he knew that if another started, he’d have to stay for «one last song». All that meant was that he had to wait outside for us in the cold, because another track began and we had to dance to it.
Eventually, we felt sorry for him and left too. But that’s the only thing that dragged us out of there. Not even wild horses, mate. No siree.
Don’t come here thinking you’ll stay for just one!

It’s my party and I’ll cry if I want to. But why would I do that when there was so much fun to be had at the Boogaloo on Saturday nights?
Tonight it’s my birthday night out and the Boogaloo fits the bill perfectly. No entry fee, no pressure to get your money’s worth, no stress, no massive walk to the tube — just good olé fun dancing times. Perfect for a 20 *cough cough splutter* something who can’t hack staying up past 2am.
It’s the start of November and the place is packed with Halloween revellers looking for a boo-​gie — that’s a ghost’s favourite type of dance by the way. Spooky costumes are abound, but it’s actually a rock’n’roll night. The first Saturday of every month, aka this night, is called ‘Hot Dog’ where DJ Jimi Laff spins 50s. 60s and 70s tunes. Different evenings have different DJs and themes but I have a feeling that nights at the Boogaloo don’t vary too much musically from this retro affair.
But Hot Dog, Hot Damn! What fun we had! The hits kept on coming and we danced hard. Hours and hours on the floor, I had to drag myself away to rest my tired feet.
Not all the club nights here have free entry, but I believe if you get there when it’s still in ‘pub’ mode you can circumvent the entry charge. But once it hits 10pm they dim the lights, and it transforms from social club style pub to party party party.
The only negatives about the Boogaloo, and I hope I do not sound like an old woman writing this (but it’s my birthday so maybe I am now), is the PA system was a touch too loud, and felt ear splitting at points. Plus it’s not a proper club, so there’s no decent ventilation — it gets stupidly hot. Also I completely understand security have a job to do, but can’t they be a touch friendlier. Sometime’s a bit of politeness goes a long way. Luckily there’s a beer garden, and some quiet lounges at the back to get away for a respite when it gets too much.
But I am coming back, there’s more nights to be had, plus swing dance earlier on Saturdays, and nudey life drawing Sunday daytime.
Boo-​galoo? More like Woo-​galoo!

headed out to this place on a saturday night for a friends birthday and im glad i did… i love old school 60’s, 70’s and 80’s music… i’m not a very good dancer but when you here classics like la bamba, twist and shout, surfing usa and tons of others you can sing along to, it makes no difference if you can dance because you whether you like it or not your body will move uncontrollably to the rhythmic tunes. :) the venue has plenty of seating as well as room to get down and boogie the one negative thing i have to say about the boogaloo is that the mens toilet is a little to cozy for my linkings… ;)

Awesome spot for a rock n roll boogie! small, bit grungy and great music if you like Rock n Roll!
Get your rocks on people!

Lesbian Live Music.
Well not strictly Lesbian. Bi, gay, generally friendly people of any gender or description. I came to this bar as part of the Blue Monday’s live music nights held once a month I believe. It’s a cracking night.
It’s not often I venture North of the river of a night out, but some friends persuaded me this way. It was easy to find just a hop, skip and a jump away from the nearest station Highgate.
The bar itself is a good space, little poofs and tables on the floor and table seating around the more raised sections of the bar. Overall it is a great space for live music. The décor is colorful and interesting, but not in your face. I can’t comment on other nights, but there was a great buzzy atmosphere at my visit. The place was nicely packed and the sound balanced well.
It seems a little out of place for the area. Who knew Highgate had/​or needed so many delis or posh tat shops? Regardless of that I have to say I’m a fan. A good beer and a good night had by all.

Saved a dinner party by giving me a bag full of ice when EVERY corner shop had inexplicably sold out on a rainy April evening. Also the jukebox rules.

Love coming here for gigs, always a friendly and great atmosphere. Can’t comment on beer prices as I stick to Red Bull (hey, don’t judge, nothing wrong with energy drinks! *twitches*) — and that’s priced the same as in other pubs. (Btw, would be nice if you stocked RB Lite!)
Stopped by a couple of times for their weekend markets too and found those a fun way to waste a few hours with friends to have a browse, drink and natter. I heard there are going to be more of those. Look forward to it!

I had a great night at The Boogaloo — having parents who were heavily involved on the London music scene in their day and being brought up on a diet of the Kinks, Beatles, Rolling Stones et al in amongst an array of jukeboxes that have rolled in and out of our house over the years this place is an absolute find in terms of music.
I’m not too ‘down with the kids’ when it comes to current music. I enjoy some recent talent: Mumford and Sons, Adele, Amy Winehouse (RIP) to name a couple but other than a handful I’m stuck in the past when it comes to music taste.
Ok so it was a little small, hot, sweaty and did take me back to my student days but was a fun place. I’d agree with Natalie T that you’d be better choosing an alternative watering hole for a few drinks beforehand and ending in The Boogaloo for some dancing.
I was there on a Saturday night and wouldn’t have thought it’d be the most amazing place midweek. There are nicer pubs around Highgate if you’re looking for a quiet drink — I recommend the Wrestlers.

Owned by Shane Mcgowan from The Pogues… shit wine… but I have been barred from there, si ply because i was too rock n roll one night hahahahaha full of wannbes no hopers that think they are cool but will never be anything… pointless unless you are shallow

My favourite pub. The jukebox can’t be beat and neither can the great atmosphere!

Came here on a Saturday night and it was packed. They were playing a decent mix of old classics, some indie and a little pop. The one thing I would say about it is that it’s quite small and it takes a while to get a drink at the bar, but it’s not pretentious at all and if you’re with a crew it’s a good night out. Would suggest drinks elsewhere beforehand to get your buzz on and then coming over to dance… but only if you happen to be in the area. Who knew you could go dancing in Highgate?

Mid week boozing at the Boogaloo can be a bit dry, but catch it on a Friday or Saturday and it’s generally heaving with a mix of 20 – 40 somethings with a more sophisticated music taste. A definite bias towards the ‘Alternative’ end of the music spectrum, the music here spans the ages — the dukebox doesn’t house any records under 10 years old (to prove the music has stood the test of time).
Draft and bottled lagers of the premium variety come thick and fast and there’s a well heated and covered outdoor area for the smokers out there.
Comes highly recommended and has seen me and my friends through many a local «quiet» one.
It has the best looking barmaids in town and will generally stay open until the wee hours (which is a bonus for a suburb like Highgate).

ah… where to start? IF YOU WANT TO GO TO A PUB where on Saturday night at 11pm (got there at 9pm) they refuse to sell alcohol to you, arguing you are too drunk, when evidently you just had your second drink and lots of people is there to get in the mood; you have to wait 20 min for the barmaids to get you a drink and being so stuck up noses to absolutely everyone, THEN THIS IS YOUR PUB, a place that doesnt really care about their customers and dont make an effort to be polite but just rely on their good old days to get customers coming back

There’s suddenly been an explosion of pub film quizzes in London but the You’re Gonna Need A Bigger Boat Film Quiz at the Boogaloo in Highgate must surely be up there as one of the best. Projected onto the pub’s big screen there’s clips galore, screenshots, soundtracks, trailer round, the lot.
Every so often there’s a themed event like summer blockbusters or 80s films or horror movies (to coincide with halloween) and the two guys who run it really do go all out, I hate to think how much work goes into it! It’s so well put together that even the people who didn’t know that much about films said they just sat back and enjoyed the show
There’s prizes for top 3 teams, usually cinema tickets, and big action figures and champagne, but they also do these on-​the-​spot prizes (separate to the main quiz) where anyone has the chance to win a little prize like a DVD or a film book
The film quiz is once a month (usually first Wednesday) and I think it starts at about 8pm now but best get there early as it gets VERY busy. We usually send one of our team in at opening time to secure us a table!

Hm well this is round the corner from my friend’s house and when she first moved here, we were quite excited as we’d heard really good things about it. Disappointingly, when we first tried to go, it was empty and there was a really bad night on with awful music, NOT what we had been expecting. The next time was a better night but the bouncers were so rude to us on the way in — and we weren’t being rowdy or drunken or anything — that it really nearly ruined our night if we weren’t such devoted party animals.

So a bunch of friends and I went here for a friend’s birthday, and what a downer it was! You’d think the bouncers would be happy to see a group of fit, sober and funky girls, but alas not! So we went in, had a drink and after perusing the empty and boring pub, made a move for the door.
Won’t be heading back any time soon.

Not keen on this pub. There was no ale kept here when I last visited the pub and the beer selection is a bit poor. They do not have much in the way of food either, bit of a let down alround it you are like me and often fancy some food after a beer or two. Don’t go here if that is the purpose of your night out.
The feature of this pub has to be the Jukebox with its collection of some of the more unusual artists than the commercial radio one choices you get on most others.
They offer the usual quiz nights and some other ‘attract the punters’ games. They need something that’s for sure, coz you wont come here for the booze or food.
This place also has some restricted hours, check it out before you go just in case it is closed.

Very famous place that’s obsessed with all things related to the Libertines. I can’t be alone in not having been massively impressed by this place. Pop in for a pint by all means, just don’t have too high expectations about how much fun you’ll have here.

This is quite a cool pub down the hill from Highgate station. Josie Long used to run a nice comedy club here called the OK club — but it struggled sometimes to win over the overtly ‘cool’ gang that frequents this pub.
Perhaps it’s a better venue for music but ultimately a bit bland and too out of the way for my tastes.

The Boogaloo is a rare thing in London — a proper pub with no airs and graces. Located near Highgate tube, it is a very relaxed place that is a must for music lovers.
It is a great place to relax with a pint and the paper on a weekend, and often has free live music in the evenings. It is a haunt of many cool bands, and has seen sets by the likes of Pete Doherty and the Holloways in the past.
Also, the jukebox is one of the finest in London — indeed, it is rare to find a jukebox in London these days!
All in all, this is a great place to meet friends and have a good night out, and all at the right price!