Ah the Boogaloo. Isn’t that where Kate Moss and Pete Doherty used to hang out? Yes it is.

The Venue
Located just a few steps down the hill from Highgate station, it’s really not very hard to miss Boogaloo - the building is pillar box red. From the outside, it doesn’t seem very special but the colour is intriguing and makes you want to investigate what’s going on.

Upon entry, it is quite dark and seems unassuming until you delve deeper, when you can begin to tell that this place is full of pretension. From the photographs of Carl Barat and Dirty Pretty Things displayed proudly for the punter to purchase, to the scrawls of quotes on the wall, you immediately know what the clientele are going to be like. The bar at the back looks like a little house with glossy bricks where the alcohol is lined up.

Venture to the back and you will find the courtyard, which is a welcome escape - a small but perfectly formed area that’s under cover. Twinkly fairy lights and accommodating furniture decorate the cavernous treat and would be a perfect hang out in the summer months. Additionally, two black cats (when it is quieter) saunter around and laze on the bar, which gives the place a bit more homeliness.

The Atmosphere
Seeing as the typical type of person who comes here is a poser and wants to be seen in the so called ‘coolest’ bar in North London, it’s not difficult to imagine the clientele at Boogaloo. Expect twenty-to-fortysomethings milling about hoping that some of North London’s famous residents will drop in for a lager or two. Unfortunately, the bar staff seem to adopt the same attitude of its customers. While some are friendly and professional, others appear smug and have a lax attitude when it comes to service, which is a shame.

The Boogaloo is renowned for its jukebox, which stocks all-time classic albums. For an album to get into the list, it must be at least ten years old. Three tunes cost £1, which seems a bit steep, but there are never any complaints. On the weekend, the place gets extremely busy, with people queuing out the door hoping to cram into this average sized venue, so if you want to appreciate their famous jukebox, weekdays are probably best.

The Drink
The drinks are nothing special with the usual suspects on the menu. Wine starts at £3.60 for a glass and £14 for a bottle. Beers consist of Fosters, San Miguel, John Smiths, Guinness and Beck Vier, starting at £3. Shooters and shots are £2.50-£3 and a typical spirit mixer will cost you £3.70.

The Last Word
Considering its location, it’s not really worth trekking across London to visit the Boogaloo. There are better pubs and bars, which will be higher quality and far less rammed. It’s just not worth the distance.

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