The Boogaloo Pub — Restaurant in London

In these past 6 years living in the UK I haven’t been to any pub or club across the country that increases the price of drinks after the DJ goes to the stage and do not inform customers in any honest way of the increase nor the reasons behind that increase.

We arrived at like 9:30pm, ordered a pint of Camden hell which cost £5.7. At about 11pm the DJ showed up and started playing really good and fun music, (I myself was not drinking) so everyone was in a nice atmosphere and good vibes with the music. Of course at that time not everyone has time or mind to check what they are charged when lights are off and you’re under the influence of alcohol.

My friend went to ask for a second Camden Hell and he told me he believed he was charged incorrectly; I didn’t leave it there, I checked his Monzo and compared prices, then I told him the price was not consistent with the first drink, so he should go to the bar and ask for a solution: he was completely ignored and he was told that was nonsense.

He came back to our table saying that, and because he was already drunk told me he did not want to argue and he just wanted to have a good time.

I wonder if the staff is aware of this and that’s why they are scamming the way the scam.

I definitely went back to the bar, and literally asked with calculator in hand why they had two prices for the same drink, they already knew what I was talking about and didn’t even let me finish as they said literally:

“We make increase of 10% in all drinks because we need to cover the DJ, the security staff and things like that….”

They definitely knew what they were talking about but decided to tell my friend that was nonsense because he looked tipsy. They saw I was sober and serious, so they accepted the trick.

Needless to say: I have no problem with an increase of price in products, if that ensures the employees get fully paid for their work. That’s completely legal, right and ethical.

I don’t see, however, any ethics and honesty with customers when the staff wait for them to get drunk to increase prices and wait for them to not notice it, so that they avoid people like me.

There was no warning, communication or sign anywhere in the pub informing about the price increase once the dj takes the stage. That’s just not OK.

The bouncing as well is really particular here:

I was told I couldn’t enter because there was a party, until they saw my white friend walking behind me, then they said if it’s only drinks we were welcomed in: ?! I looked around and only one person of...

If I were reviewing any other experience I've had at the Boogaloo, it would be 5 stars across the board. My housemates and I love coming down for quiz night, and it's been my favourite pub to take visiting friends or a casual date since I moved to the area 10 months ago. I've been looking forward to going to the Bonanza queer nights and attending a Sunday blues brunch.

However, after an incredibly unpleasant experience on the door last Saturday, I will never be setting foot in the place again. I arrived around 11.15pm with a group of 8 people, celebrating my birthday and out for a good boogie to end the night. Two people in our party put their cups on a windowsill before approaching the door, understandably the manager was irritated by this and I told my friends to remove them and find a bin instead. Despite apologising for this and resolving the situation, the manager then refused us entry, coming up with every excuse under the sun: we were too late to enter, there was a guest list, there was a private event, we had 'bad juju', I was aggressive. None of these things were true.

A friend of mine who was alread inside with a different party told me that the place had actually cleared out, it was a quiet night, and this manager was heard bragging about turning away '35 or 40' people that night already for no reason. After we went on to a different pub, she text me that she had spoken to the manager and he would let us in if we got there before 12am. So back we went, only to realise that our new price of entry was to metaphorically get on my hands and knees and lick the manager's boots in apology for my 'aggressive behaviour'.

I cannot make it more clear that this whole time I had not been aggressive, I was asking pointedly why we were being refused entry. If there are cameras on the front door, you are more than welcome to review the footage and see for yourself. However, under no circumstances would I prostrate myself and beg forgiveness for something I hadn't done so that this manager could play king of the castle on his little power trip. The bouncer also got involved in this charade and was of no help whatsoever.

Perhaps the manager would do well to take a sexism awareness training course if he thinks a young woman asking him questions makes her 'aggressive'. His manner and behaviour was confrontive and disgusting, and I will not...

The Boogaloo, 8.7/10

We had to walk up Highgate hill to get here. When you drink as many beers as us, that's no easy feat. Google maps said it would take 15 mins. Took us an hour. Not including stops. If you're coming this way, get the bus.

Its just around the corner from Highgate tube station. Has a no South Londoners allowed sign on the door. Soon as we entered we were bought a round by a northlondonpints fan. We knew we’d come to the right place.

Great vibes in a packed out beer garden. Dogs roaming around the place. Rock n Roll aesthetic. Windows forged out of the heart of a dying star by Stevie Windows himself. This place has it all.

We did have an encounter with a very famous person in here. Name rhymes with Shlonny Shlepp. Any guesses? Was also dressed in full pirate gear. And people called him Captain Jack. Don’t believe us? Check his insta. You’re about to feel really silly.

He charged over to us and began to throttle Stevie Windows while screaming his name at the top of his lungs. Everyone looked at us to step in. But we were really enjoying our beers in the sun and wanted to see how it played out.

Luckily for Stevie, he was saved by an unlikely hero. It was the Pigeon crackhead from Kentish Town. Known to his friends simply as Pigeonman. He set his Pigeons upon Depp and they flew him back to Davey Jones Locker.

Pigeonman scootered off down Highgate hill as mysteriously as he entered. What a man. Should stay off the crack though.

Reviewed 25/06/21 on...