If I were reviewing any other experience I've had at the Boogaloo, it would be 5 stars across the…read moreboard. 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 be returning. [Cross-posted review]

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…read morehad 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 ole 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!

Maybe it has to do with age, but I am really starting to like community-based activities…read more Especially in a city as big and anonymous as London, I find it reassuring to once and in while run into familiar faces. Lauderdale House can be such a place: I've come here to a few yoga classes, but I also know that there's a local choir meeting here for their weekly practice as well as community art fairs etc. On top of that, Lauderdale House is beautifully located within Waterlow Park and I've witnessed many a birthday parties or wedding receptions here with Lauderdale House being the gracious and visually stunning host.

This place is my go-to daily. They have delicious boozy hot cocoa, crispy hot chips for a cold day,…read moreand most importantly (and enjoyably) the people that work here are so nice and not racist like a few other places on the high street. Cheers for great chips and basic human decency. 5 stars!

Great pizza and beer (well, hard cider for me)! This has a bit of a "nice"dive bar feel. Live music…read moreis a bonus (and was the draw for me to come here).

This review is just for the pizza and drinks FYI. My hubs and I came yesterday (Monday) for the two…read morefor £12 pizza special (until 8pm). I didn't realize there was 2-for-1 drinks (has to be the same cocktail) but what a nice surprise! The pub is appropriately shabby, with dark wood floors and booths with split open seats and sticky tables. Pretty buzzing for a Monday night. I ordered the Parma Violence: gin, violette liquor, lemon juice and gomme and it was smashing. Delicious and potent. Now the pizza (sigh). I ordered the passion amore: avo, capers, mint and aubergine as the veg pizza option was not part of the two for £12 (boo on them). My hubs got some meat pizza. They came relatively quickly and looked very nice. Mine had large chunks of avo sprinkled atop. But... Yet AGAIN in London, mediocre pizza itself. The dough base was probably my favourite part as it was thin and just chewy enough. But bland I sauce, bland taste. My husband said his was similar. I swear pizza in London just sucks compared to NY. All these reviews claiming how good the pizza is are so misinformed.

I thought this bar was A-OK…read more I popped in with Gemma M, just in time for happy hour. We used a tastecard, so it was a total bargain (£11 each for cocktail + pizza + tip!) But even without a tastecard, it would still have been really good value. The staff were really friendly and my pizza was nice (not the best...but I did enjoy it!) I liked the sound of lots of the cocktails, although the one I tried was a little too sweet for me...It wasn't bad, but I couldn't drink two cocktails with that level of sweetness! So...all in all, it is nice to know that the hideaway is here, especially now I've seen Carrie B's review about the outdoor area in the back.

One of Archway's highlights in terms of nightlife! This cosy wee bar is perfect for intimate drinks…read moreand chats, not to mention a good selection of bottled beers (bigger than some bars 2/3 times the size) and great original music. I've seen a few acts play downstairs here and it's the ideal place for it, small, nicely lit and intimate - perfect for great acoustic music plus it was all original (no bad/dodgy pub covers!). If you're in Archway go here, try the music and a new beer. Watch the Duvel though... for a small bottle it's deceptively strong ;)

I am a big fan of a craft market, cannot get enough of them! There's nothing worse than a market…read morewith 'the same old thing' however! This particular one was pleasantly unique with a fantastic bustling atmosphere. There were lots of pretty little gifts for friends and family! I bought myself a nice necklace from one very friendly stall holder which set me back just £14 which I thought was well worth it. The only thing that I would improve would just be the number of stalls - I wanted more!!

I came to Jackson Lane theatre to watch a performance that was being put on by the third years from…read morethe Performing arts program at London Metropolitan University. As i walked into this place it had a very calm feel. There are booths to sit in as you wait for the show to begin, a cafe to order some treats and a cuppa along with a bar if you want a few drinks before the show. The music that played throughout the place had nice beats that made the atmosphere very fun and exciting. Jackson lane also has a lot of classes and shows that they put on monthly. If you're in the area, pop by and see what they have going on. It's a lovely little theatre with a lot of spunk :]

This theatre was unprepared for handing out the online tickets booked with about 15 minutes to the…read moreshow beginning. (Had to ask more than once for it, first time was 45 minutes before the show.) I did get there early, but with less than an an hour to go we had everything just being set up and it did not seem very welcoming. The only good aspect of my visit was the theatre itself, I was allowed to take my drink in and the show was brilliant. Lost Spectacles' Lost in the Wind. In saying the negative about this place, it seems to be more of a council owned arts centre than a theatre. Nothing wrong with that, just wasn't my expectation. Do go there, its worth it - just get there moments before the show begins.

I am an American living in London and I can't tell you enough how beyond tired I am of the pubs…read morehere... all of them look exactly the same, have the same exact (bland) menu, and staff the same hipster-type people. With that in mind, I have to give The Oxford an above average review. Overall this pub is your standard run-of-the-mill pub, but a hint classier with a tastier menu. The bar is beautiful, I love the open-concept kitchen, and the separation between pub seating and dining room seating. More importantly, the food was delicious!! My husband and I both got Sunday roasts - he the roast beef, me the chicken. Yum. Yum. Yum. Perfectly cooked and seasoned; I left completely satisfied. Why only 4 stars though?? Please consider getting rid of the typical British pub-style, rickety, mismatched chairs. They're not comfortable and they're ugly. Maybe vamp up the place with something more functional and stylish?? Just a thought.

Delicious sunday roast!…read more Warm and cosy atmosphere even if the building is not in a good shape, happy family clientele and welcoming service. We were fitted at a big table with comfortable sitting and our meal arrived quickly. We tried the roasted pork belly with a huge yorshire pudding and veggies like carrots, red cabbage, new potatoes... It was good, filling, crispy and melting at the same time. And with it, a nice pint of cider. It was less then £40 for two, drink and main.